Capitol
Jump to: Webster'sConcordanceThesaurusGreekHebrewLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Capitol" does not appear directly in the Bible; however, the concept of a central, significant building or location for governance and worship can be explored through various biblical references. In ancient times, the idea of a capitol was often associated with a place of authority, governance, and religious significance.

Biblical Context

1. Temple in Jerusalem: The most prominent biblical structure that parallels the concept of a capitol is the Temple in Jerusalem. King Solomon built the First Temple as a central place of worship and governance for the Israelites. It served as the spiritual and political heart of the nation. In 1 Kings 6:1, the construction of the Temple is described: "In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD."

2. Palace of King Solomon: Alongside the Temple, Solomon's palace was another significant structure in Jerusalem, serving as the king's residence and a center of administration. 1 Kings 7:1 states, "Solomon, however, took thirteen years to complete the construction of his entire palace."

3. City of David: The City of David, also known as Zion, was the original fortress of Jerusalem and became the political and spiritual center under King David. It is often referred to in the Psalms as a place of divine presence and authority. Psalm 48:2-3 describes it: "Beautiful in loftiness, the joy of all the earth, like the peaks of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the great King. God is in her citadels; He has shown Himself to be a fortress."

4. Roman Influence: During the New Testament period, the Roman Empire's influence brought the concept of a capitol as a center of political power. The city of Rome, with its Capitolium, was the heart of Roman authority. Although not directly mentioned in the Bible, the presence of Roman governance is evident in the New Testament, particularly in the interactions between Jesus, the apostles, and Roman officials.

Symbolic Significance

In a broader sense, the idea of a capitol can be seen as a symbol of authority and governance under God's sovereignty. The Bible emphasizes that ultimate authority belongs to God, and earthly structures are temporary. Proverbs 21:1 states, "The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases."

Eschatological Perspective

In the prophetic and eschatological writings, the concept of a central place of divine rule is expanded to the New Jerusalem, described in Revelation 21. This heavenly city represents the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom, where His authority and presence are fully realized. Revelation 21:2-3 declares, "I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.'"

In summary, while the specific term "Capitol" is not found in the Bible, the concept of a central place of authority and worship is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, reflecting both historical realities and spiritual truths.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) The temple of Jupiter, at Rome, on the Mona Capitolinus, where the Senate met.

2. (n.) The edifice at Washington occupied by the Congress of the United States; also, the building in which the legislature of State holds its sessions; a statehouse.

Greek
116. Athenai -- Athens, capital of Attica in Greece
... Athens. Plural of Athene (the goddess of wisdom, who was reputed to have
founded the city); Athenoe, the capitol of Greece -- Athens. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/116.htm - 6k

897. Babulon -- "gate of god(s)," Babylon, a large city situated ...
... Babylon. Of Hebrew origin (Babel); Babylon, the capitol of Chaldaea (literally or
figuratively (as a type of tyranny)) -- Babylon. see HEBREW Babel. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/897.htm - 7k

2414. Hierosoluma -- Jerusalem, the capital of united Isr. and ...
... Jerusalem. Of Hebrew origin (Yruwshalaim); Hierosolyma (ie Jerushalaim}, the capitol
of Palestine -- Jerusalem. Compare Hierousalem. see GREEK Hierousalem. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2414.htm - 7k

2419. Ierousalem -- Jerusalem, the capital of united Isr. and ...
... Jerusalem. Of Hebrew origin (Yruwshalaim); Hierusalem (ie Jerushalem), the capitol
of Palestine -- Jerusalem. Compare Hierosoluma. see GREEK Hierosoluma. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2419.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
1002. birah -- a castle, palace
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition a castle, palace NASB Word Usage
capitol (1), citadel (11), fortress (2), temple (2). palace. ...
/hebrew/1002.htm - 5k
Library

A Comparison of the Disasters which Rome Experienced During the ...
... The Gauls, indeed, massacred all the senators they found in any part of the city
except the Capitol, which alone was defended; but they at least sold life to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 29 a comparison of the.htm

Epistle xviii. Reply of St. Ambrose to the Memorial of Symmachus.. ...
... her ancient ceremonies. These sacred rites, he says, repulsed Hannibal
from the walls, and the Senones from the Capitol. And so ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle xviii reply of st.htm

What Manner of Life and Death the Roman Kings Had.
... And this infamous parricide, during the reign he had secured by murder, was allowed
to triumph in many victorious wars, and to build the Capitol from their ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 15 what manner of life.htm

Concerning the Liberty of Seneca, who More Vehemently Censured the ...
... He next relates those things which are wont to be done in the Capitol, and with
the utmost intrepidity insists that they are such things as one could only ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 10 concerning the liberty of.htm

An Old-Fashioned Home
... Riding with him the first evening, when the moon was shining, we suddenly came upon
the National Capitol, and I said to my host, "What in the world is that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/an old-fashioned home.htm

Concerning Felicity, whom the Romans, who Venerate Many Gods, for ...
... For, as their books record, when king Tarquin wished to construct the Capitol, and
perceived that the place which seemed to him to be the most worthy and ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 23 concerning felicity whom the.htm

Of Divine Testimonies, and of the Sibyls and their Predictions.
... remaining books for the three hundred pieces of gold: and the number of these books
was afterwards increased, after the rebuilding of the Capitol; because they ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap vi of divine testimonies and.htm

Of the Gods Peculiar to the Romans, and their Sacred Rites.
... When their city was occupied by the Gauls, and the Romans, who were besieged in
the Capitol, had made military engines from the hair of the women, they ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xx of the gods peculiar.htm

The Reign of David.
... The reign of David is divided into two parts. The first part was over Judah, with
the capitol at Hebron, and lasted seven and one-half years. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xi the reign of.htm

It Remains for us to Examine the "Spectacle" Most Noted of All...
... For the amphitheatre [358] is consecrated to names more numerous and more dire
[359] than is the Capitol itself, temple of all demons as it is. ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xii it remains for.htm

Thesaurus
Capitol (1 Occurrence)
... sessions; a statehouse. Multi-Version Concordance Capitol (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah
1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it ...
/c/capitol.htm - 7k

Cappadocia (2 Occurrences)

/c/cappadocia.htm - 10k

Lantern
... 4. (n.) A smaller and secondary cupola crowning a larger one, for ornament, or to
admit light; such as the lantern of the cupola of the Capitol at Washington ...
/l/lantern.htm - 8k

Triumph (52 Occurrences)
... The procession thus advanced along the Via Sacra to the Capitol, where a bull was
sacrificed to Jupiter, and the laurel wreath deposited in the lap of the god. ...
/t/triumph.htm - 24k

Capitation (1 Occurrence)

/c/capitation.htm - 7k

Alexandria (4 Occurrences)
... In the Egyptian district was the temple dedicated to Serapis (Osiris-Apis)
which was only excelled in grandeur by the capitol at Rome. ...
/a/alexandria.htm - 31k

Army (401 Occurrences)
... 3-6); the "order and solid formation of soldiers" drawn up in battle array or on
the march (Colossians 2:5); the "triumphal procession" to the capitol with its ...
/a/army.htm - 76k

Empire (8 Occurrences)
... The mysterious religion of Etruria first impressed the Roman mind, and from this
quarter probably came the Trinity of the Capitol (Jupiter, Juno, Minerva ...
/e/empire.htm - 80k

Roman (26 Occurrences)
... The mysterious religion of Etruria first impressed the Roman mind, and from this
quarter probably came the Trinity of the Capitol (Jupiter, Juno, Minerva ...
/r/roman.htm - 101k

Resources
Is the 9Marks series biblically sound? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian view the separation of church and state? | GotQuestions.org

Capitol: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Capitol (1 Occurrence)

Nehemiah 1:1
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Capitol

Related Terms

Cappado'cia (2 Occurrences)

Pontus (3 Occurrences)

Lycaonia (2 Occurrences)

Gomer (7 Occurrences)

Arathes

Amorites (82 Occurrences)

Hittites (39 Occurrences)

Philistines (224 Occurrences)

Assyria (124 Occurrences)

Galatia (6 Occurrences)

Minor (2 Occurrences)

Dispersion (4 Occurrences)

Asia (22 Occurrences)

Lud (10 Occurrences)

Ludim (3 Occurrences)

Inhabitants (254 Occurrences)

Inhabit (29 Occurrences)

Foreigners (76 Occurrences)

Tarsus (5 Occurrences)

Togarmah (4 Occurrences)

Reside (17 Occurrences)

Residents (9 Occurrences)

Exiles (46 Occurrences)

E'lamites (1 Occurrence)

Diana (5 Occurrences)

Dwelling (340 Occurrences)

Dwellers (12 Occurrences)

Derbe (4 Occurrences)

Media (14 Occurrences)

Mesopotamia (8 Occurrences)

Mesopota'mia (7 Occurrences)

Phygellus (1 Occurrence)

Petition (33 Occurrences)

Pethor (2 Occurrences)

Procurator

Phygelus (1 Occurrence)

Par'thians (1 Occurrence)

Phrygia (4 Occurrences)

Parthia (1 Occurrence)

Pamphylia (6 Occurrences)

Bithyn'ia (2 Occurrences)

Bithynia (2 Occurrences)

Current (4 Occurrences)

Capitol (1 Occurrence)

Aliens (53 Occurrences)

Asian (1 Occurrence)

Artemis (5 Occurrences)

Strangers (95 Occurrences)

Shem (17 Occurrences)

Sojourners (37 Occurrences)

Cush (31 Occurrences)

Choice (113 Occurrences)

Scattered (122 Occurrences)

Canaan (102 Occurrences)

Canaanites (63 Occurrences)

Medes (15 Occurrences)

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)

Sennacherib (13 Occurrences)

Judea (50 Occurrences)

Elect (32 Occurrences)

Province (66 Occurrences)

Judaea (45 Occurrences)

Parthians (1 Occurrence)

Throughout (291 Occurrences)

Babylonia (17 Occurrences)

Saints (117 Occurrences)

Ones (687 Occurrences)

Archaeology

Chosen (197 Occurrences)

Army (401 Occurrences)

Money (284 Occurrences)

Elamites (2 Occurrences)

Elam (24 Occurrences)

Revelation (52 Occurrences)

Peter (181 Occurrences)

Roman (26 Occurrences)

First (4693 Occurrences)

Apostle (25 Occurrences)

Capitation
Top of Page
Top of Page