Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of a "yard" as understood in modern terms was not explicitly mentioned in the Scriptures. However, the idea of enclosed spaces or courtyards is prevalent throughout the Bible, serving as significant locations for various activities and events. These areas were often associated with homes, temples, and palaces, providing a space for gatherings, worship, and daily life.
Courtyards in the Bible1.
Residential Courtyards: In ancient Israel, homes often included a courtyard, which was an open space enclosed by the walls of the house. This area served multiple purposes, such as cooking, socializing, and performing daily chores. The courtyard was a central part of family life, offering a private outdoor space within the confines of the home.
2.
Temple Courtyards: The most notable courtyards in the Bible are those associated with the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. These sacred spaces were integral to the worship practices of the Israelites. The Tabernacle, as described in Exodus, included an outer courtyard where sacrifices were made. Similarly, Solomon's Temple had multiple courtyards, each with specific functions and levels of access.
·
Outer Courtyard: The outer courtyard of the Temple was accessible to all Israelites and was the location for public worship and sacrifices. In
2 Chronicles 4:9, it is mentioned, "He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze."
·
Inner Courtyard: Reserved for the priests, the inner courtyard was a more restricted area where certain rituals and offerings took place. This separation emphasized the holiness and sanctity of the Temple's inner workings.
3.
Palatial Courtyards: Royal palaces also featured courtyards, which were used for official gatherings, judicial proceedings, and other state functions. The Book of Esther provides a glimpse into the use of such spaces, as King Ahasuerus held banquets in the palace courtyard (
Esther 1:5).
Symbolism and SignificanceCourtyards in the Bible often symbolize a place of transition between the secular and the sacred. They serve as a threshold where the community gathers, and where individuals prepare to enter into a deeper relationship with God. The design and use of courtyards reflect the cultural and religious values of the time, emphasizing order, community, and reverence.
New Testament ReferencesWhile the New Testament does not focus extensively on courtyards, they are mentioned in the context of significant events. For example, Peter's denial of Jesus took place in the courtyard of the high priest (
Matthew 26:69-75). This setting underscores the tension and drama of the moment, as Peter's actions unfold in a space that is both public and intimate.
ConclusionIn summary, while the term "yard" as used today does not appear in the Bible, the concept of courtyards plays a vital role in biblical narratives. These spaces are integral to the social, religious, and political life of the people, serving as venues for worship, community interaction, and pivotal events in the biblical account.
Greek
3400. milion -- a Roman mile (about 1618yards)... a Roman mile (about 1618
yards). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: milion
Phonetic Spelling: (mil'-ee-on) Short Definition: a Roman mile Definition
...4083. pechus -- the forearm, ie a cubit
... 1, 81.25). Word Origin a prim. word Definition the forearm, ie a cubit
NASB Word Usage hour (2),yards (2). cubit. Of uncertain...
Strong's Hebrew
2699. chatserim -- Hazerim... pl. of chatser, qv. Hazerim Plural masculine of chatser;
yards; Chatserim, a place
in Palestine -- Hazerim. see HEBREW chatser. 2698, 2699. chatserim. 2700 >
...2698. Chatseroth -- a place in the wilderness
... Hazeroth. Feminine plural of chatser;yards; Chatseroth, a place in Palestine --
Hazeroth. see HEBREW chatser. 2697, 2698. Chatseroth. 2699 . Strong's Numbers
Library
Useless Doctors
... When a coalpit runs far under the ground it is customary here to build a partition
wall, nearly from the shaft to within three or fouryards of the end, in...
Jesus Sets Out from Jud??a for Galilee.
... called a city, and adjoined the land which Jacob gave to Joseph (Genesis 33:19;
xlvii.22; Joshua 24:32), Joseph's tomb being about one hundredyards east of it...
Whitewashing Kilkenny Marble
... It is fully as remarkable as Poole's Hole, or any other in the Peak. The opening
is round, parallel to the horizon and seventy or eightyyards across....
Mr. Stephenson and Wesley
... place you mention. I am at a word. For forty pounds he shall have sixteen
yards in breadth, and thirty in length. Wednesday, 8."Mr...
Wesley and Impositions
... quart bottle. "Men seven hundred years old!" And why not sevenyards high?
He that can believe it, let him believe it. Monday, 22...
Jerome Savonarola (Ad 1452-1498)
... They were each fortyyards long and twoyards and a half high, with an opening of
a yard's width between them; and it was intended that these heaps should be...
Chapter I Beginning and Early Days of the Orphan Work.
... Soon after were sent by a brother two pieces of print, the one seven and the other
23-3/4yards, 6-3/4yards of calico, four pieces of lining, about fouryards...
Assumptions Concerning the Book of Isaiah.
... The tailor who decides that he must have twentyyards of cloth to make a suit of
clothes, when tenyards are sufficient, will shortly be wanting customers....
The Story of the Baptist, from his Last Testimony to Jesus to his...
... Meanwhile, descending a steep slope about 150yards towards the west, we reach the
oblong flat plateau that formed the fortress, containing Herod's magnificent...
The Tomb of the Pharaoh
... At the northwest limits of the suburb, the hills approached the Nile, leaving only
a narrow strip a few hundredyards wide between their fronts and the water....
Thesaurus
Yards (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Yards (4 Occurrences). John 21:8 But the rest
of the disciples came in the small boat (for they were not
...Olive-yards (5 Occurrences)
Olive-yards. Oliveyards, Olive-yards. Olves . Multi-Version
Concordance Olive-yards (5 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 6:11...
Mile (2 Occurrences)
... 5 feet each. Thus the Roman mile has 1618yards, being 142yards shorter
than the English mile. Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) A...
Puteoli (1 Occurrence)
... The harbor was rendered doubly safe by a mole, which is known to have been at least
418yards in length, consisting of massive piers connected by means of...
Nineveh (23 Occurrences)
... The western fortifications run from Northwest to Southeast, following, roughly,
the course of the river, which now flows about 1,500yards from the walls...
Journey (214 Occurrences)
... (1.) A day's journey in the East is from 16 to 20 miles (Numbers 11:31). (2.) A
Sabbath-day's journey is 2,000 paces oryards from the city walls (Acts 1:12)....
Gethsemane (2 Occurrences)
... have selected it for retirement on that dangerous and dismal night...I am inclined
to place the garden in the secluded vale several hundredyards to the north...
Pole (21 Occurrences)
... (c) A Maypole. 3. (n.) A measuring stick; also, a measure of length equal to 5/
yards, or a square measure equal to 30/ squareyards; a rod; a perch....
Square (94 Occurrences)
... 25. (a.) At right angles with the mast or the keel, and parallel to the horizon; --
said of theyards of a square-rigged vessel when they are so braced. 26....
Spindle (2 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A long and slender stalk resembling a spindle. 8. (n.) A yarn measure
containing, in cotton yarn, 15,120yards; in linen yarn, 14,400yards....
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