Topical Encyclopedia
A rampart is a defensive wall or embankment built to protect a city or fortress from potential invaders. In biblical times, ramparts were crucial components of a city's fortifications, often constructed from earth, stone, or a combination of materials. They served not only as physical barriers but also as platforms for watchmen and soldiers to defend against attacks.
Biblical ReferencesThe concept of a rampart is mentioned several times in the Bible, often symbolizing strength, protection, and divine security. In the Old Testament, ramparts are frequently associated with the fortifications of ancient cities, reflecting the military strategies of the time.
One notable reference is found in the book of Nahum, where the prophet speaks of the impending destruction of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire.
Nahum 3:8-12 describes the city's defenses, including its ramparts, which would ultimately fail against God's judgment: "Are you better than Thebes, situated by the Nile, with water around her? The river was her defense; the waters were her wall. Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies. Yet she became an exile; she went into captivity. Her infants were dashed to pieces at the head of every street. They cast lots for her nobles, and all her great men were bound in chains. You too will become drunk; you will go into hiding and seek refuge from the enemy. All your fortresses are fig trees with the first ripe figs; when shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater."
In the Psalms, ramparts are used metaphorically to describe God's protection over His people.
Psalm 48:12-13 encourages the faithful to "walk around Zion, encircle her, count her towers, consider her ramparts, tour her citadels, that you may tell the next generation." Here, the ramparts symbolize the security and stability provided by God to His chosen city, Jerusalem.
Symbolism and Theological SignificanceRamparts in the Bible often symbolize divine protection and the strength of God's promises. They serve as a reminder of the security that comes from faithfulness to God and His covenant. The imagery of a rampart underscores the idea that true safety and refuge are found not in human-made structures but in the Lord Himself.
In the prophetic literature, the failure of ramparts often signifies the consequences of turning away from God. When cities like Nineveh and Jerusalem faced destruction, their physical defenses, including their ramparts, were insufficient to withstand divine judgment. This serves as a powerful reminder of the futility of relying solely on human strength and the importance of spiritual fortification through obedience to God.
Historical ContextIn ancient Near Eastern cities, ramparts were integral to urban defense systems. They were typically part of a larger complex that included walls, gates, and towers. The construction of ramparts required significant resources and labor, reflecting the importance placed on city defense in a time when warfare and sieges were common.
Archaeological findings have provided insights into the construction and use of ramparts in biblical times. Excavations at sites like Jericho and Jerusalem have revealed remnants of ancient fortifications, offering a glimpse into the military architecture of the period.
ConclusionWhile the physical ramparts of ancient cities have long crumbled, the spiritual lessons they convey remain relevant. The biblical use of ramparts as symbols of protection and divine security continues to inspire believers to seek refuge in God, who is described as a "fortress" and "stronghold" throughout Scripture.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A broad embankment of earth around a place as a defensive fortification; a bulwark. It forms the substratum of every permanent fortification.
2. (n.) That which fortifies and defends from assault; that which secures safety; a defense or bulwark.
3. (v. t.) To surround or protect with, or as with, a rampart or ramparts.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RAMPARTram'-part (Lamentations 2:8Nahum 3:8).
SeeFORTIFICATION.
Greek
5482. charax -- a pointed stake, arampart... a pointed stake, a
rampart. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: charax
Phonetic Spelling: (khar'-ax) Short Definition: a mound for besieging
...4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... J. Calvin). 1 Hab 2:1: " I will stand on my guard post And station myself
on therampart; And I will keep watch to see (Heb ) " ()....
Strong's Hebrew
2426. chel --rampart, fortresschel or chel. 2425b, 2426. chel or chel. 2427 .
rampart, fortress. Transliteration:
chel or chel Phonetic Spelling: (khale) Short Definition:
rampart.
...4694. metsurah -- siegeworks,rampart
... metsurah or metsurah. 4695 . siegeworks,rampart. Transliteration: metsurah or
metsurah Phonetic Spelling: (mets-oo-raw') Short Definition: fortified....
1037. Beth Millo -- "house of earthwork," a place near Shechem...
... house of Millo. Or Beyth Mil-loh {bayth mil-lo'}; from bayith and millow'; house
of (the)rampart; Beth-Millo, the name of two citadels -- house of Millo....
4692. matsor -- siege enclosure, siege, entrenchment
... Origin from tsur Definition siege enclosure, siege, entrenchment NASB Word Usage
besieged (3), defense (1), fortified (1), fortress (1),rampart (1), siege (17...
5550. solelah -- a mound
... bank, mount. Or cowllah {so-lel-aw'}; active participle feminine of calal, but used
passively; a military mound, ieRampart of besiegers -- bank, mount....
4407. Millo -- a place near Shechem, also a citadel in Jer.
... NASB Word Usage Millo (7). Millo. Or mil-loe (2 Kings 12:20) {mil-lo'}; from male';
arampart (as filled in), ie The citadel -- Millo. See also Beyth Millow'....
4570. magal -- an entrenchment, track
... Or feminine mapgalah {mah-gaw-law'}; from the same as agol; a track (literally or
figuratively); also arampart (as circular) -- going, path, trench, way((-side...
Library
How the Emperor Severus Divided from the Rest by aRampart that...
... BOOK I CHAP. V. How the Emperor Severus divided from the rest by arampart
that part of Britain which had been recovered. In the...
How the Britons, Being Ravaged by the Scots and Picts, Sought...
... the two bays or inlets of the sea of which we have spoken;^ to the end that where
the protection of the water was wanting, they might use therampart to defend...
The Memphite Empire
... The Gulf of Suez and the mountainousrampart of Gebel Geneffeh in the south, and
the marshes of Pelusium on the north, protected almost completely the eastern...
The Nile and Egypt
... tilled up the depths of the bay, and then, under the influence of the currents which
swept along its eastern coasts, accumulated behind thatrampart of sand...
Of the Prophecies of the Birth and Achievements of Christ.
... men to arms, and would give the signal of war not with clarion, but with rattle,
and point out the foe, not from His charger's back or from arampart, but from...
Tertullian, Having Shown his Defence to be Consistent with...
... Put on the panoply of modesty; surround yourself with the stockade of bashfulness;
rear arampart for your sex, which must neither allow your own eyes egress...
Thou Shalt not Commit Adultery.
... chastely himself and help his neighbor do the same, so that God by this commandment
wishes to hedge round about and protect [as with arampart] every spouse...
The Holy Family in Bethlehem after the Departure of the Kings.
... This was not the path through the town-gate, but the one which led over a hill or
rampart to the Cave of the Nativity from the place where Mary had waited...
Prologue
... numerous, of recent editions. Behind such arampart of printed matter he
is well defended against profane curiosity. It needs courage...
The Gradual Development of Cosmical Order Out of Chaos in the...
... the same time unfurnished as yet with its other qualities); [6407] and "without
form," because it was still covered with waters, as if with therampart of its...
Thesaurus
Rampart (9 Occurrences)... 3. (vt) To surround or protect with, or as with, a
rampart or ramparts. Int.
...RAMPART.
ram'-part (Lamentations 2:8 Nahum 3:8). See FORTIFICATION.
...Dura (1 Occurrence)
... Others have believed that name to indicate a portion of the actual site of Babylon
within the great wall (duru) of the city-perhaps therampart designated dur...
Bulwark (29 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Arampart; an earthen wall for fortification and protection; a bastion or
outwork.... His faithfulness is your shield andrampart. (See NAS)....
Ramp (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 20:15 They came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maacah, and they cast
up a mound against the city, and it stood against therampart; and all the...
Ramparts (7 Occurrences)
... destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion; He hath stretched out the line, He hath
not withdrawn His hand from destroying; but He hath made therampart and wall...
Trench (8 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To fortify by cutting a ditch, and raising arampart or breastwork
with the earth thrown out of the ditch; to entrench....
Mound (17 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) An artificial hill or elevation of earth; a raised bank; an embankment thrown
up for defense; a bulwark; arampart; also, a natural elevation appearing...
Moat (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A deep trench around therampart of a castle
or other fortified place, sometimes filled with water; a ditch....
Fort (8 Occurrences)
... (n.) A strong or fortified place; usually, a small fortified place, occupied only
by troops, surrounded with a ditch,rampart, and parapet, or with palisades...
Fortified (79 Occurrences)
... In this connection it is to be noted that chomah, is Hebrew for "wall," Greek teichos;
chel or cheyl, is Hebrew for the "ditch," or "rampart," or "bastion" of...
Resources
Is it biblical to refer to God as God the mother? | GotQuestions.orgWho was the Venerable Bede? | GotQuestions.orgRampart: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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