Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of a "yard" as understood in modern terms may not have been explicitly mentioned, but similar spaces and measurements are referenced throughout the Scriptures. The term "yard" typically refers to an enclosed area of land adjacent to a building, often used for various domestic or agricultural purposes. In the context of the Bible, such spaces were integral to daily life and community activities.
Courtyards and EnclosuresThe Bible frequently mentions courtyards, which served as functional spaces for families and communities. For instance, the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem had specific courtyard areas. In
Exodus 27:9, God provides Moses with detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle's courtyard: "You are also to make a courtyard for the tabernacle. The south side shall be a hundred cubits long and have curtains of finely spun linen." These courtyards were significant for worship and gathering, reflecting the importance of designated spaces for communal and religious activities.
Domestic YardsIn ancient Israelite homes, yards or courtyards were common features. These spaces were often used for cooking, socializing, and performing daily chores. The yard provided a semi-private area where families could engage in various activities away from the public eye. In
2 Samuel 11:2, we see an example of a domestic courtyard: "One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman." This passage suggests that the courtyard was a place of privacy, as Bathsheba was bathing in a space not visible from the street.
Agricultural UseYards in biblical times also had agricultural purposes. They were used for storing produce, housing livestock, and processing food. The parable of the wicked tenants in
Matthew 21:33 mentions a vineyard with a winepress and a watchtower, indicating an enclosed area used for agricultural production: "There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a watchtower."
Symbolic SignificanceYards and enclosed spaces in the Bible often carry symbolic meanings. They can represent safety, provision, and community. The courtyard of the Tabernacle, for example, was a place where the Israelites could come together to worship and offer sacrifices, symbolizing their covenant relationship with God. In a broader sense, the concept of an enclosed space can symbolize the protection and care that God provides for His people.
Cultural ContextUnderstanding the role of yards and courtyards in biblical times requires an appreciation of the cultural and historical context. These spaces were essential for the daily life of ancient Near Eastern societies, serving as places for work, rest, and worship. The design and use of these areas reflect the values and priorities of the people, emphasizing community, family, and faith.
In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly use the term "yard" as it is understood today, the concept is present in the form of courtyards and enclosed spaces that played a vital role in the religious, domestic, and agricultural life of biblical communities.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A rod; a stick; a staff.
2. (n.) A branch; a twig.
3. (n.) A long piece of timber, as a rafter, etc.
4. (n.) A measure of length, equaling three feet, or thirty-six inches, being the standard of English and American measure.
5. (n.) The penis.
6. (n.) A long piece of timber, nearly cylindrical, tapering toward the ends, and designed to support and extend a square sail. A yard is usually hung by the center to the mast. See Illust. of Ship.
7. (n.) An enclosure; usually, a small enclosed place in front of, or around, a house or barn; as, a courtyard; a cowyard; a barnyard.
8. (n.) An enclosure within which any work or business is carried on; as, a dockyard; a shipyard.
9. (v. t.) To confine (cattle) to the yard; to shut up, or keep, in a yard; as, to yard cows.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
OLIVE YARDol'-iv yard.
SeeOLIVE TREE.
Greek
833. aule -- a courtyard, a court... a courtyard, a court. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: aule Phonetic
Spelling: (ow-lay') Short Definition: court-
yard, fore-court, palace, house
...1638. elaion -- an olive orchard, ie spec. the Mt. of Olives
... of Olives. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: elaion Phonetic Spelling:
(el-ah-yone') Short Definition: Olive-grove, Olive-yard, the mount Olivet...
Strong's Hebrew
2691. chatser -- enclosure, court... court, tower, village (masculine and feminine); from chatsar in its original sense;
a
yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded
...2132. zayith -- olive tree, olive
... Probably from an unused root (akin to Ziv); an olive (as yielding illuminating oil),
the tree, the branch or the berry -- olive (tree, -yard), Olivet....
2696. Chetsron -- two Israelites, also two places in Judah
... Hezron. From chatser; court-yard; Chetsron, the name of a place in Palestine; also
of two Israelites -- Hezron. see HEBREW chatser. 2695, 2696....
Library
Preaching in the InnYard
... Chapter 12. Wesley's Letter to an Editor; Impositions and Declarations; the
Speaking Statue; Wesley's Pentecost Preaching in the InnYard....
Index.
... to what such gifts extend, 81. Lease of the Churchyard, 20, in not.... in several
counties, 47, 76. Pasture of the Church-yard, 26. Pennons, 67....
When Diamond Got Round the Corner of the Hay...
... horse, and had begun to take the bits of straw and hay out of his mane, when all
at once he recollected that the Lady North Wind was waiting for him in theyard...
The Old Gravestone
... They were talking about a big old stone that lay down in theyard, close by the
kitchen door, where the servants often placed the kitchen utensils, after they...
A Few Nights after This, Diamond Woke up Suddenly...
... got up and put on part of his clothes, and went down the stair, for the cabman's
room did not open upon their stair, and he had to go out into theyard, and in...
The Groups Round the Cross
... Look at them"chaffering, chattering, laughing; and, above their heads,
not ayard away, that Figure. What a picture! The Son of...
He Got up in the Morning as Soon as He Heard the Men Moving In...
... He got up in the morning as soon as he heard the men moving in theyard.... When
he got into theyard he found the stable-door just opened....
The Wind Blew Loud, but Diamond Slept a Deep Sleep...
... of the swallows"-over the shallows, you, know; but it may have been the chirping
of the dingy sparrows picking up their breakfast in theyard"-how can I...
Wesley on Holy Island
... In the evening I preached at Berwick-upon-Tweed; the next evening at Dunbar; and
on Friday, 25, about ten, at Haddington, in Provost D.'syard, to a very...
Preaching in a Loft
... Tuesday, 11."I was at a loss where to preach, the person who owned the loft
refusing to let me preach there, or even in theyard below....
Thesaurus
Yard (8 Occurrences)... A
yard is usually hung by the center to the mast. See Illust.
... 9. (vt) To confine
(cattle) to the
yard; to shut up, or keep, in a
yard; as, to
yard cows. Int.
...Yard-sticks (1 Occurrence)
Yard-sticks. Yards,Yard-sticks. Yarn . Multi-Version Concordance
Yard-sticks (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 19:35 Do not...
Olive-yard (2 Occurrences)
Olive-yard. Oliveyard, Olive-yard. Oliveyards . Multi-Version
Concordance Olive-yard (2 Occurrences). Exodus 23:11 But...
Mete-yard (1 Occurrence)
Mete-yard. Meteyard, Mete-yard. Metheg . Multi-Version Concordance
Mete-yard (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 19:35 Ye do not...
Meteyard (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Ayard, staff, or rod, used as a measure. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. METEYARD. met'-yard (middah...
Vineyard (69 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) An inclosure oryard for grapevines; a plantation
of vines producing grapes. Int.... VINEYARD. vin'-yard. See VINE....
Lift (283 Occurrences)
... See Lift gate, below. 19. (n.) A rope leading from the masthead to the extremity
of ayard below; -- used for raising or supporting the end of theyard. 20....
Foot (193 Occurrences)
... only in the singular. 7. (n.) A measure of length equivalent to twelve inches;
one third of ayard. SeeYard. 8. (n.) Soldiers who...
Earing (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Ear. 2. (n.) A line used to fasten the upper corners
of a sail to theyard or gaff; -- also called head earing....
Brace (3 Occurrences)
... staves. 6. (n.) A rope reeved through a block at the end of ayard, by which
theyard is moved horizontally; also, a rudder gudgeon. 7...
Resources
What are the modern equivalents of biblical weights and measures? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian woman wear a bikini? | GotQuestions.orgWhy won't God heal amputees? | GotQuestions.orgYard: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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