Building-paste, often referred to in ancient texts as a form of mortar or clay, is a material used in construction for binding stones or bricks together. In biblical times, building-paste was a crucial component in the construction of various structures, including homes, city walls, and significant edifices such as the Tower of Babel.

Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, where the Bible's events predominantly take place, building materials varied based on the region's resources. In Mesopotamia, where stone was scarce, mud bricks were commonly used, and building-paste made from clay and straw was essential for binding these bricks. In contrast, regions like Israel, with more abundant stone resources, used lime-based mortars.

Biblical References

The most notable biblical reference to building-paste is found in the account of the Tower of Babel. Genesis 11:3 states, "And they said to one another, 'Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.' They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar." . This passage highlights the use of a tar-like substance as a binding agent, which was common in the Mesopotamian region due to the availability of bitumen.

In Exodus, the Israelites' bondage in Egypt involved making bricks with building-paste. Exodus 5:7-8 records Pharaoh's command: "You shall no longer supply the people with straw for making bricks. They must go and gather their own straw. But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it." . This illustrates the importance of straw in the building-paste mixture, which added strength and cohesion to the bricks.

Symbolic Significance

Building-paste, while a practical material, also carries symbolic weight in Scripture. The construction of the Tower of Babel, for instance, represents human pride and the desire to reach the heavens, defying God's command to fill the earth. The use of building-paste in this narrative underscores humanity's attempt to create a lasting monument to their own achievements, ultimately leading to God's intervention and the scattering of peoples.

In the New Testament, the concept of building and construction is often used metaphorically to describe spiritual truths. While not directly mentioning building-paste, the imagery of constructing a spiritual house is prevalent. For example, in 1 Peter 2:5, believers are described as "living stones" being built into a spiritual house, emphasizing the unity and cohesion that comes from being bound together in Christ.

Cultural Practices

The preparation and application of building-paste in biblical times required skill and knowledge. Workers would mix clay, water, and sometimes straw or other binding agents to achieve the desired consistency. The paste was then applied between bricks or stones to secure them in place. This process was labor-intensive and required cooperation among workers, reflecting the communal nature of construction projects in ancient societies.

Archaeological Insights

Archaeological excavations in the Near East have uncovered numerous examples of ancient construction techniques, including the use of building-paste. These findings provide valuable insights into the daily lives of biblical peoples and the technologies they employed. The durability of structures built with building-paste, some of which have survived millennia, testifies to the effectiveness of these ancient methods.

In summary, building-paste in the Bible serves as both a practical construction material and a symbol of human endeavor and divine interaction. Its use in biblical narratives provides a window into the technological and cultural practices of ancient civilizations, while also offering deeper spiritual lessons.Building-paste (2 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy 27:2
And on the day when you go over Jordan into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, put up great stones, coating them with building-paste,
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 27:4
And when you have gone over Jordan, you are to put up these stones, as I have said to you today, in Mount Ebal, and have them coated with building-paste.
(BBE)

Building-paste (2 Occurrences)
Building-paste. Building-material, Building-paste. Buildings .
Multi-Version Concordance Building-paste (2 Occurrences). ...
/b/building-paste.htm - 7k

Coat (54 Occurrences)
... 2 And on the day when you go over Jordan into the land which the Lord your God is
giving you, put up great stones, coating them with building-paste, (Root in ...
/c/coat.htm - 25k

Buildings (28 Occurrences)

/b/buildings.htm - 14k

Building-material (1 Occurrence)
Building-material. Building, Building-material. Building-paste . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (BBE). Building, Building-material. Building-paste . ...
/b/building-material.htm - 6k

Coated (2 Occurrences)
... 27:4 And when you have gone over Jordan, you are to put up these stones, as I have
said to you today, in Mount Ebal, and have them coated with building-paste. ...
/c/coated.htm - 7k

Coating (1 Occurrence)
... 27:2 And on the day when you go over Jordan into the land which the Lord your God
is giving you, put up great stones, coating them with building-paste, (BBE). ...
/c/coating.htm - 7k

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