Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, towers were significant architectural structures that served various purposes, including defense, watchfulness, and symbolism. They are mentioned numerous times throughout the Scriptures, reflecting their importance in ancient society.
1. Defensive Structures:Towers were often part of city fortifications, providing a vantage point for watchmen to observe approaching enemies and to defend the city. In the Book of Judges, the tower of Shechem is mentioned as a place of refuge: "Abimelech went to the tower and fought against it, and he approached the entrance of the tower to burn it with fire" (
Judges 9:52). Similarly, the tower of Thebez was a defensive structure where the inhabitants sought protection (
Judges 9:51).
2. Watchtowers:Watchtowers were erected in vineyards and fields to guard against thieves and wild animals.
Isaiah 5:2 describes a vineyard with a watchtower: "He dug it up, cleared the stones, and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle of it and dug out a winepress as well." These towers were essential for ensuring the safety and productivity of agricultural endeavors.
3. Symbolic Significance:Towers also held symbolic meaning in the Bible. The Tower of Babel is a notable example, representing human pride and the desire to reach the heavens.
Genesis 11:4 recounts, "And they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.'" This narrative illustrates the consequences of human arrogance and the divine intervention that led to the dispersion of languages.
4. Towers in Prophecy and Parables:Prophetic literature and parables sometimes use towers metaphorically. In
Isaiah 2:15, towers are mentioned in the context of human pride and the day of the Lord: "Against every high tower, against every fortified wall." Jesus also used the imagery of a tower in His teachings. In
Luke 14:28-30, He speaks of counting the cost of discipleship: "Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it?"
5. Towers as Symbols of Strength and Refuge:In the Psalms, towers are often used metaphorically to describe God's protection and strength.
Psalm 61:3 declares, "For You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy." This imagery conveys the security and safety found in God's presence, likening Him to a strong and unassailable tower.
6. Historical and Archaeological Context:Archaeological findings have uncovered numerous ancient towers, confirming their widespread use in biblical times. These structures varied in size and design, often constructed with stone or mud bricks. They were strategically placed in cities, along walls, and in rural areas to serve their intended purposes.
In summary, towers in the Bible are multifaceted structures that served practical, symbolic, and spiritual roles. They were integral to the defense and surveillance of cities, represented human ambition and pride, and symbolized divine protection and strength.
Topical Bible Verses
Revelation 18:10Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is your judgment come.
Topicalbible.org
ATS Bible Dictionary
TowersWere erected not only in the outer walls and on the heights within cities, Jud 9:47-49Psalm 48:12Luke 13:4, but along the frontiers of a country, at points where the approach of an enemy could be descried at a distance, Jud 9:17Isaiah 21:6-9Ezekiel 33:2-6. A tower afforded a refuge to the surrounding inhabitants, in case of invasion; and often, when most of a city was subdued, the tower or citadel remained impregnable.
So God is a strong and safe protector of his people,Psalm 18:2 61:8Proverbs 18:10. A slight tower or look-out was often erected for the keeper of a vineyard or flock,2 Chronicles 26:10Isaiah 5:2Micah 4:8Matthew 21:33; and travelers in Palestine see them in use at this day.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Of Babel (
Genesis 11:4), Edar (
Genesis 35:21), Penuel (
Judges 8:9, 17), Shechem (
9:46), David (Cant. 4:4), Lebanon (
7:4), Syene (
Ezek. 29:10), Hananeel (
Zechariah 14:10), Siloam (
Luke 13:4). There were several towers in Jerusalem (
2 Chronicles 26:9;
Psalm 48:12). They were erected for various purposes, as watch-towers in vineyard (
Isaiah 5:2;
Matthew 21:33) and towers for defence.
Strong's Hebrew
759. armon -- a citadel... of uncertain derivation Definition a citadel NASB Word Usage castle (1), citadel
(2), citadels (13), fortified buildings (1), fortified
towers (1), palace (3
...969a. bachun -- a tower
... a tower. Transliteration: bachun Short Definition:towers. Word Origin from bachan
Definition a tower NASB Word Usage siegetowers (1). 969, 969a....
4694. metsurah -- siegeworks, rampart
... Word Origin from tsur Definition siegeworks, rampart NASB Word Usage battle
towers (1), fortified (5), fortress (1), fortresses (1)....
6438. pinnah -- a corner
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a corner NASB Word Usage chiefs
(2), corner (16), cornertowers (2), corners (7), cornerstone (3), cornerstone...
4026. migdal -- a tower
... Word Origin from gadal Definition a tower NASB Word Usage banks (1), podium (1),
Tower (8), tower (23),towers (14), watchtower (2). castle, flower, tower....
5375. nasa -- to lift, carry, take
... 1), support (1), supported (1), sustain (2), swore* (12), sworn* (2), take (49),
take away (1), taken (7), takes (3), took (37),towers (1), transporters* (1...
Library
How one of theTowers Erected by the Romans Fell Down of Its Own...
... CHAPTER 7. How One Of TheTowers Erected By The Romans Fell Down Of Its Own Accord;
And How The Romans After Great Slaughter Had Been Made Got Possession Of...
How the Entire City of Jerusalem was Demolished, Excepting Three...
... CHAPTER 1. How The Entire City Of Jerusalem Was Demolished, Excepting ThreeTowers;
And How Titus Commended His Soldiers In A Speech Made To Them, And...
I am a Wall, and My Breasts LikeTowers; Then was I in his Eyes as...
... CHAPTER VIII. 10. I am a wall, and my breasts liketowers; then was I in
his eyes as one that found favor. The Spouse, in ecstasies...
The Description of Jerusalem.
... hindering the security that arose from its superior elevation; for which reason
also that depth of the ditch made the elevation of thetowers more remarkable....
How Caesar Raised Banks Round About the Upper City [Mount Zion]...
... Now as soon as a part of the wall was battered down, and certain of thetowers yielded
to the impression of the battering rams, those that opposed themselves...
The Early Life of St. Joseph
... A broad gallery ran round the upper part of the house, with littletowers at each
of its four corners, like short, thick pillars, ending in big balls or domes...
The Buildings of More Eminent Note in Sion.
... He saith plainly, that thetowers built by Herod,"the Psephin tower,
the Hippic tower, &c."were on the north. "Titus (saith...
How Pompey had the City of Jerusalem Delivered up to Him but Took...
... But as soon as Pompey had filled up the valley, he erected hightowers upon the
bank, and brought those engines which they had fetched from Tyre near to the...
What Injunctions Caesar Gave when He was Come Within the City. The...
... 1. Now when Titus was come into this [upper] city, he admired not only some other
places of strength in it, but particularly those strongtowers which the...
The Young Titus
... rod of the slowly rising ground he traversed; rod after rod of the tall fortification
passed under his inspection, and now the twin Women'sTowers rose upon...
Thesaurus
Towers (38 Occurrences)... 29:10), Hananeel (Zechariah 14:10), Siloam (Luke 13:4). There were several
towers in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 26:9; Psalm 48:12).
...Towers (38 Occurrences).
...Watch-towers (1 Occurrence)
Watch-towers. Watchtowers, Watch-towers. Water . Multi-Version
Concordance Watch-towers (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 23:13...
Siege-towers (1 Occurrence)
Siege-towers. Siegetowers, Siege-towers. Siegeworks . Multi-Version
Concordance Siege-towers (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel...
Palaces (37 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 27:4 and cities he hath built in the hill-country of Judah, and in
the forests he hath built palaces andtowers. (YLT).... They set up theirtowers....
Fortification (5 Occurrences)
... for-ti-fi-ka'-shun (including): I. IN RECENT EXCAVATIONS 1. Excavation of Tells
2. Sites 3. Primitive Character 4. Walls 5.Towers 6. Acropolis or Castle 7...
Fort (8 Occurrences)
... for-ti-fi-ka'-shun (including): I. IN RECENT EXCAVATIONS 1. Excavation of Tells
2. Sites 3. Primitive Character 4. Walls 5.Towers 6. Acropolis or Castle 7...
Cities (427 Occurrences)
... for-ti-fi-ka'-shun (including): I. IN RECENT EXCAVATIONS 1. Excavation of Tells
2. Sites 3. Primitive Character 4. Walls 5.Towers 6. Acropolis or Castle 7...
Uzzi'ah (26 Occurrences)
... the king's treasuries was Azmaveth the son of Adiel; and over the treasuries in
the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in thetowers, was Jonathan...
Gammadim (1 Occurrence)
... valorous men;" others interpret this word as meaning "short-swordsmen," or "daring
ones", the name of a class of men who were defenders of thetowers of Tyre....
Watchtowers (1 Occurrence)
... the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the treasures in the
fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in thetowers, was Jonathan...
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