Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, squares, or open public spaces, played a significant role in the social and religious life of ancient communities. These areas, often located at the city gates or central parts of a town, served as gathering places for commerce, legal proceedings, and public discourse. The concept of a square is not explicitly detailed in the Bible, but its function and importance can be inferred from various passages.
Public Gatherings and CommerceSquares were central to the economic life of a city. They were places where merchants set up stalls to sell goods, and people gathered to buy and trade. In the book of Nehemiah, we see a reference to such activities: "The people went out and brought back branches and made booths for themselves on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God, and in the square by the Water Gate and the square by the Gate of Ephraim" (
Nehemiah 8:16). This passage highlights the use of squares for communal activities and celebrations.
Legal and Civic FunctionsSquares also served as venues for legal and civic matters. The elders of the city would often meet at the gates or in the squares to adjudicate disputes and make important decisions. In the book of Ruth, Boaz goes to the town gate to settle the matter of Ruth's redemption: "Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom Boaz had spoken came along, and Boaz said, 'Come over here, my friend, and sit down.' So he went over and sat down" (
Ruth 4:1). This setting underscores the square's role as a place of legal transactions and public witness.
Religious and Prophetic ActivitiesSquares were also significant for religious and prophetic activities. Prophets often delivered their messages in these public spaces to reach a wide audience. Jeremiah, for instance, was instructed to proclaim God's message in the public places: "Stand in the gate of the LORD’s house and proclaim this message: 'Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the LORD'" (
Jeremiah 7:2). This directive illustrates the square's function as a platform for spiritual exhortation and communal worship.
Symbolism and ImageryIn biblical literature, squares can also carry symbolic meaning. They represent openness, community, and the intersection of daily life with divine instruction. The imagery of a square as a place of gathering and interaction is used to convey themes of unity and collective identity among God's people.
Cultural and Historical ContextUnderstanding the role of squares in biblical times requires an appreciation of the cultural and historical context. These spaces were integral to the fabric of ancient Near Eastern cities, reflecting the communal nature of society. They were places where the sacred and the secular intersected, where individuals engaged with one another and with God.
In summary, while the Bible does not provide a detailed architectural description of squares, their presence and function are woven throughout the narrative, highlighting their importance in the social, legal, and religious life of ancient Israel.
Strong's Hebrew
7339. rechob -- a broad open place, plaza... Word Origin from rachab Definition a broad open place, plaza NASB Word Usage open
square (7), open
squares (1), plaza (1), plazas (1), square (14),
squares (4
...7660. shabats -- probably to weave in checker (or plaited) work
... embroider, set. A primitive root; to interweave (colored) threads insquares; by
implication (of reticulation) to inchase gems in gold -- embroider, set....
Library
The Mystical Meanings in the Proportions of Numbers, Geometrical...
... consists of eight of the odd numbers beginning with unity], [3340] the addition
of which (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15) in succession generatesquares; [3341] and...
Under Ban of the Ritual
... chronological daybreak. Within were orderlysquares, cross-cut by avenues and
relieved from monotony by scattered mosaics of groves. Out...
The African Rome
... It is unquestionable that Carthage, with its buildings and statues, itssquares,
avenues and public gardens, looked like a large capital, and was a perfect...
Jewish Homes
... business. The gates opened upon largesquares, on which the various streets
converged. Here was the busy scene of intercourse and trade....
The Secondary Division or Teen Age Boys' Crusade
... This may be accomplished through two methods: (a) Census and Survey. The city
should be divided into districts and mapped out bysquares....
The Day of Blood at Prague.
... just rising in the east and reddening the sky and shining in each other's faces;
they saw the dark black scaffold bathed in light, and thesquares of infantry...
Elucidations.
... of the whole Church. This most probable theorysquares with all known facts,
and reconciles all difficulties. Clement, then, was...
The British Bayonet.
... be strong. In the war with the Arabs in Egypt, thesquares were sometimes
broken. Was that the fault of the bayonet? England cannot...
This Region of Light must be Material if it is Joined to the...
... As if, to give the simplest illustration, a piece of bread were made into foursquares,
three white and one black; then suppose the three white pieces joined...
The Arians and the Supporters of the Homoousion' Hold Nocturnal...
... and Lord's day"in each week, on which assemblies are usually held in the churches,
they congregated within the city gates about the publicsquares, and sang...
Thesaurus
Squares (25 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Squares (25 Occurrences). Mark 6:40 and they sat
down in
squares, by hundreds, and by fifties. (YLT). Exodus
...Sanctuary (250 Occurrences)
... From these we learn that the perimeter of the court was 300 cubits, and that it
consisted of twosquares, each 75 ft., lying East and West of one another....
Court (172 Occurrences)
... From these we learn that the perimeter of the court was 300 cubits, and that it
consisted of twosquares, each 75 ft., lying East and West of one another....
Streets (83 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 5:16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, streams of water
in the publicsquares? (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Outer (98 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). 2 Kings 21:5 And he put up altars for all the stars of heaven
in the two outersquares of the house of the Lord. (BBE)....
Check (9 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A woven or painted design insquares resembling the patten of a checkerboard;
one of thesquares of such a design; also, cloth having such a figure....
Starry (14 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 2 Kings 21:5 And he put up altars for all the stars of heaven in
the two outersquares of the house of the Lord. (See NIV)....
Drained (38 Occurrences)
... destruction of the daughter of my people; because of the young children and babies
at the breast who are falling without strength in the opensquares of the...
Tabernacle (333 Occurrences)
... From these we learn that the perimeter of the court was 300 cubits, and that it
consisted of twosquares, each 75 ft., lying East and West of one another....
Squared (6 Occurrences)
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