In biblical times, the concept of a ceiling was not as architecturally complex as it is today, but it still held significance in the construction and design of buildings, particularly in the context of the Temple and other significant structures. The ceiling, as part of the overall structure, often symbolized protection, covering, and the glory of the dwelling place.

Old Testament References

The most notable references to ceilings in the Bible are found in the descriptions of Solomon's Temple and other royal buildings. In 1 Kings 6:9, the construction of the Temple is described: "So he built the house and finished it, and he covered the house with beams and boards of cedar." The use of cedar wood for the ceiling was significant, as cedar was a symbol of durability, beauty, and grandeur. The choice of materials reflected the importance and sacredness of the Temple as the dwelling place of God among His people.

In 2 Chronicles 3:5, the interior of the Temple is further described: "He paneled the main hall with cypress, which he overlaid with fine gold and decorated with palm trees and chains." This description highlights the ornate nature of the Temple's ceiling, emphasizing the glory and majesty of the place where God was worshiped.

Symbolism and Significance

The ceiling in biblical architecture often symbolized the heavens or the firmament, serving as a reminder of God's overarching presence and protection. In Isaiah 40:22, the imagery of God stretching out the heavens like a canopy is used: "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in." This metaphorical use of a ceiling or covering underscores the divine sovereignty and the protective nature of God's creation.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, ceilings were not only functional but also decorative, often adorned with carvings, paintings, or inlays. The use of precious materials and intricate designs in ceilings was a reflection of wealth and status. In the context of the Bible, the detailed descriptions of ceilings in sacred spaces like the Temple serve to convey the holiness and splendor of these places.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not specifically mention ceilings in the same architectural detail as the Old Testament, the concept of a covering or protection is present in the spiritual teachings of Jesus and the apostles. For instance, in 2 Corinthians 5:1, Paul speaks of a heavenly dwelling: "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." This passage reflects the idea of a divine covering or dwelling that surpasses any earthly construction.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of a ceiling, while primarily architectural, carries deeper symbolic meanings related to protection, divine presence, and the glory of God's dwelling. Through the descriptions of sacred spaces and the metaphorical use of coverings, the Bible communicates themes of God's sovereignty and the beauty of His creation.Ceiling

The descriptions of Scripture, (1 Kings 6:9,15; 7:3; 2 Chronicles 3:5,9; Jeremiah 22:14; Haggai 1:4) and of Josephus, show that the ceilings of the temple and the palaces of the Jewish kings were formed of cedar planks applied to the beams or joists crossing from wall to wall. "Oriental houses seem to have been the reverse of ours, the ceiling being of wood, richly ornamented, and the floor of plaster or tiles."

Ceiling

The ancients took great pains to ornament the ceilings of their best apartments; making them sometimes of a sort of wainscoting, in squares or complicated figures; and sometimes of a fine plaster with beautiful moldings, tinted and relieved by gilding, small mirrors, etc., 1 Kings 6:15 2 Chronicles 3:5 Jeremiah 22:14.

The covering (1 Kings 7:3, 7) of the inside roof and walls of a house with planks of wood (2 Chronicles 3:5; Jeremiah 22:14). Ceilings were sometimes adorned with various ornaments in stucco, gold, silver, gems, and ivory. The ceilings of the temple and of Solomon's palace are described 1 Kings 6:9, 15; 7:3; 2 Chronicles 3:5,9. 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Ceil.

2. (n.) The inside lining of a room overhead; the under side of the floor above; the upper surface opposite to the floor.

3. (n.) The lining or finishing of any wall or other surface, with plaster, thin boards, etc.; also, the work when done.

4. (n.) The inner planking of a vessel.

CEILED; CEILING

seld, sel'-ing (the King James Version and the English Revised Version Cieled, Cieling; the Hebrew words for "ceiled" are chippah, caphan, sachiph; for "ceiling," cippun): Ceiling occurs only in 1 Kings 6:15. It comes from the root caphan, meaning "to cover." It has its common meaning of the upper surface of a room; there is, however, some doubt of the textual Ceiled is found in 2 Chronicles 3:5 ((chippah); Jeremiah 22:14 Haggai 1:4 (caphan in both); Ezekiel 41:16 (sachiph)), the text of the last passage being doubtful. In none of these cases does "ceiled" refer to the upper surface of a room, but to the covering or paneling of the inner walls of a house with cedar or other costly wood. This is in accordance with a common early use of the English word, no longer frequent.

George Ricker Berry

5604. sippun -- a ceiling
... 5603, 5604. sippun. 5605 . a ceiling. Transliteration: sippun Phonetic
Spelling: (sip-poon') Short Definition: ceiling. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/5604.htm - 6k

7023. qir -- a wall
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a wall NASB Word Usage ceiling (1),
ceiling* (1), city (1), male* (6), masons* (1), Oh (1), side (2), sides (3 ...
/hebrew/7023.htm - 6k

6763. tsela -- rib, side
... Leaf); hence, a side, literally (of a person) or figuratively (of an object or the
sky, ie Quarter); architecturally, a (especially floor or ceiling) timber or ...
/hebrew/6763.htm - 6k

That He Instructed the Governors Concerning the Beautifying of the ...
... "With respect to the ceiling [3264] of the church, I wish to know from you whether
in ... If the panel ceiling be adopted, it may also be ornamented with gold. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxxii that he instructed the.htm

Illusive Appearance of the Moon.
... Book IV. Chapter XXXVII."Illusive Appearance of the Moon. And they make
moon and stars appear on the ceiling after this manner. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxxvii illusive appearance of the.htm

The Annunciation
... them. The ceiling was formed by intersecting beams, the spaces between
being filled with wickerwork decorated with star-patterns. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/viii the annunciation.htm

First Forgiveness, Then Healing
... Saviour. For this palsied man, who was let down by ropes through the ceiling,
was the most remarkable person in that congregation. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/first forgiveness then healing.htm

Letter from the Emperor to Macarius, Bishop of Jerusalem ...
... artificers, and what sums of money, are requisite; and let me know promptly not
only about the marbles and columns, but also about the panelled ceiling, if you ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xvi letter from the emperor.htm

Representation of the Cross in the Palace, and of Daniel at the ...
... that in the principal apartment of the imperial palace itself, on a vast tablet
[3282] displayed in the center of its gold-covered paneled ceiling, he caused ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xlix representation of the cross.htm

My Readers Will not Wonder That, after This, I did My Very Best to ...
... The room was low with a coved ceiling, and occupied the whole top of the
house, immediately under the roof. It was quite empty. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 36 my readers will.htm

The Procession of Amen
... Two great pillars, closely set, supported the ceiling. ... The ceiling was a
marvelous marquetry of many and wondrously harmonious colors. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter iv the procession of.htm

Ephesians iv. 4
... Statues again, which stood with so much gracefulness, with the ceiling resting on
them, these you may see all exposed, with the roof torn off, and themselves ...
/.../homily x ephesians iv 4.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... 1 The twelve forms of the sun during the twelve hours of the day, from the ceiling
of the Hall of the New Year at Edfu. Drawing by Faucher-Gudin. ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

Ceiling (7 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The inner planking of a vessel. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CEILED;
CEILING. ... George Ricker Berry. Multi-Version Concordance Ceiling (7 Occurrences) ...
/c/ceiling.htm - 10k

Ceiled (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Ceil. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CEILED; CEILING. seld, sel'-ing (the King James Version ...
/c/ceiled.htm - 8k

Joists (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:15 And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar: from
the floor of the house unto the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the ...
/j/joists.htm - 7k

Lined (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:15 And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar; from
the floor of the house unto the joists of the ceiling, he covered them on ...
/l/lined.htm - 8k

Rafters (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:15 He built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar: from the
floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the ...
/r/rafters.htm - 7k

Roof (55 Occurrences)
... mask. It is better, however, to consider the vault as the ceiling only,
in cases where it has farther covering. 2. (n.) That which ...
/r/roof.htm - 24k

Paneling (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:15 He built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar: from the
floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the ...
/p/paneling.htm - 7k

Pine (28 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:15 He built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar: from the
floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the ...
/p/pine.htm - 17k

Fir (22 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:15 He built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar: from the
floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the ...
/f/fir.htm - 19k

Walls (152 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Kings 6:15 He built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar:
from the floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the ...
/w/walls.htm - 38k

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