Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "windows" are mentioned primarily as architectural features in ancient structures, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. The term "window" in the Scriptures often refers to an opening in a wall or roof that allows light and air to enter a building, and sometimes serves as a means of communication or escape.
Old Testament References1.
Noah's Ark: One of the earliest mentions of a window is found in the account of Noah's Ark. In
Genesis 6:16, God instructs Noah, "You are to make a roof for the ark, finish the ark to within a cubit of the top, and put a door in the side of the ark." The window here is understood to be an opening for light and ventilation, crucial for the survival of those aboard during the Flood.
2.
The Tower of Babel: While windows are not explicitly mentioned in the account of the Tower of Babel, the construction of such a grand structure would have likely included windows for practical purposes. The account, found in
Genesis 11, highlights human ambition and the desire to reach the heavens, which may symbolically relate to the idea of windows as openings to the divine.
3.
The Temple: In
1 Kings 6:4, during the construction of Solomon's Temple, it is noted, "He made narrow windows high up in the temple walls." These windows were designed to allow light into the sacred space while maintaining the sanctity and security of the interior. The presence of windows in the Temple underscores the balance between divine illumination and human craftsmanship.
4.
The Prophets: Windows are occasionally mentioned in the prophetic books. In
Daniel 6:10, Daniel prays with his windows open toward Jerusalem, demonstrating his faithfulness to God despite the king's decree. This act signifies openness to God and a connection to the holy city, Jerusalem.
New Testament References1.
Eutychus: In
Acts 20:9, a young man named Eutychus is described as sitting in a window during Paul's lengthy discourse. "Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on." This incident, which leads to Eutychus falling and being miraculously revived by Paul, illustrates the practical use of windows in early Christian gatherings and the miraculous power of God at work through the apostles.
Symbolic and Theological ImplicationsWindows in the Bible often symbolize revelation, insight, and the presence of God. They serve as conduits for divine light and truth, illuminating the hearts and minds of believers. In a spiritual sense, windows can represent the openness of one's soul to receive God's grace and wisdom.
Furthermore, windows can symbolize the transparency and vulnerability required in a faithful relationship with God. Just as a window allows light to penetrate a room, believers are called to let the light of Christ shine into their lives, dispelling darkness and revealing truth.
In summary, windows in the biblical narrative are more than mere architectural features; they carry rich symbolic meaning, reflecting themes of divine revelation, spiritual openness, and the transformative power of God's presence.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HEAVEN, WINDOWS OFSeeASTRONOMY, sec. III, 4.
WINDOWS OF HEAVEN
SeeASTRONOMY, sec. III, 4.
Strong's Hebrew
699. arubbah -- a lattice, window, sluice... 698, 699. arubbah. 700 . a lattice, window, sluice. Transliteration: arubbah
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-oob-baw') Short Definition:
windows.
...2474. challon -- a window
... 2473, 2474. challon. 2475 . a window. Transliteration: challon Phonetic
Spelling: (khal-lone') Short Definition:windows. Word Origin...
3551. kav -- window
kav or kavvah. 3550, 3551. kav or kavvah. 3552 . window. Transliteration: kav
or kavvah Phonetic Spelling: (kav) Short Definition:windows....
Library
My Beloved is Like a Roe or a Young Hart: Behold He Standeth...
... 9. My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold he standeth behind our wall;
he looketh forth at thewindows, showing himself through the lattice....
Chapter viii
... abated. Also the fountains of the deep were stopped and thewindows of the
heavens; and the pouring rain from heaven was restrained....
Chapter twenty-six
... There were twowindows in the front, very clean, and that was remarkable to begin
with.... "Why, don't you know? These are the only cleanwindows in the block."....
Book ix. On Jerusalem and Her Enemies
... [Gal.2:9]. The wall [of a house] is the construction of good works; in the song
of songs: behold, here past our wall, seeing through thewindows. [Cant.2:9]....
'Impossible, --Only I Saw It'
... shekel, in the gate of Samaria.2. Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered
the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would makewindows in heaven...
I must not Go on Describing what Cannot be Described...
... then, opening another little door, led him out upon a narrow gallery that ran all
round the central part of the church, on the ledges of thewindows of the...
Is God in the Camp?
... witchcraft. One would have thought that these symbols would only have been
likewindows of agate and gates of carbuncle. Through...
Hugh the Builder
... The upper church, since then a chapter house, was built in Romanesque style, with
round arches, two rosewindows, and three sanctuarywindows with wide splays....
part 2
... into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith,
saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you thewindows of heaven...
I have Been Asked to Tell You About the Back of the North Wind. .....
... "But it can't be a window, becausewindows are holes to see out of.". "Well, that's
just what I made this window for."....Windows are to see out of, you say....
Thesaurus
Windows (27 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia HEAVEN,
WINDOWS OF. See ASTRONOMY, sec. III, 4.
WINDOWS OF HEAVEN. See ASTRONOMY, sec. III, 4. Multi-Version Concordance
...Openings (27 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 1 Kings 7:5 And all the openings and the side-posts 'are' square --windows;
and sight 'is' over-against sight three times. (YLT)....
Arches (13 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 40:16 There were closedwindows to the lodges, and to their posts within
the gate all around, and likewise to the arches; andwindows were around inward...
Narrow (21 Occurrences)
... Bozez and the other Seneh. (BBE). 1 Kings 6:4 And for the house he madewindows
of narrow lights. (KJV JPS WBS YLT NIV). 2 Kings 6:1...
Floodgates (6 Occurrences)
... in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the
fountains of the great deep were burst open, and the sky'swindows were opened...
Porches (13 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 40:16 There were closedwindows to the lodges, and to their posts within
the gate all around, and likewise to the arches; andwindows were around inward...
Projections (10 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 40:16 And there were closedwindows to the chambers, and to their posts
within the gate round about, and likewise to the projections; and thewindows...
Lodges (14 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 40:16 There were closedwindows to the lodges, and to their posts within
the gate all around, and likewise to the arches; andwindows were around inward...
Thresholds (11 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 41:16 the thresholds, and the closedwindows, and the galleries around on
their three stories, over against the threshold, with wood ceilings all around...
Projecting (17 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 40:16 There were closedwindows to the lodges, and to their posts within
the gate all around, and likewise to the arches; andwindows were around inward...
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