An embankment, in biblical terms, refers to a raised structure typically made of earth or stone, constructed to hold back water or to support a roadway. While the term "embankment" itself is not frequently used in the Bible, the concept is present in various forms, particularly in the context of fortifications and water management.

Biblical Context and Usage

1. Fortifications and Siege Works: In ancient times, embankments were often used in military contexts, particularly during sieges. They were constructed to provide a strategic advantage, allowing armies to approach or breach city walls. The Bible provides several instances where embankments or similar structures were employed during sieges.

· In 2 Samuel 20:15, Joab and his forces besiege the city of Abel Beth Maacah, and it is described that they "built a siege ramp against the city" . This siege ramp can be understood as an embankment used to facilitate the attack on the city walls.

· Similarly, in Jeremiah 6:6, the prophet speaks of the impending siege of Jerusalem, saying, "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Cut down the trees and build a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; there is nothing but oppression in her midst.'" . Here, the construction of a siege ramp is indicative of the military tactics of the time.

2. Water Management: Embankments also played a crucial role in water management, particularly in regions where controlling water flow was essential for agriculture and settlement sustainability. While the Bible does not explicitly mention embankments for water control, the importance of managing water resources is evident.

· In the account of Hezekiah, King of Judah, we see an example of water management through engineering. 2 Chronicles 32:30 states, "It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Gihon spring and channeled the water down to the west side of the City of David." . Although not an embankment per se, this act of redirecting water demonstrates the kind of engineering that would have included embankments in other contexts.

3. Symbolic and Prophetic Imagery: Embankments and similar structures are sometimes used symbolically in prophetic literature to convey messages of judgment or deliverance.

· In Isaiah 37:33, the prophet Isaiah relays God's promise concerning the Assyrian threat: "Therefore this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: 'He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here or come before it with a shield or build a siege ramp against it.'" . The mention of a siege ramp symbolizes the threat of invasion and the divine assurance of protection.

Cultural and Historical Significance

In the ancient Near East, embankments were a common feature of both military and civil engineering. They were essential for the defense of cities and the management of water resources, reflecting the ingenuity and resourcefulness of ancient societies. The biblical references to embankments, though not numerous, highlight their strategic importance in warfare and their role in the broader context of God's interactions with His people, whether through judgment or deliverance.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the use of embankments in the Bible can be seen as a metaphor for God's protection and provision. Just as an embankment provides security and stability, so does God's presence offer safety and assurance to His people. The imagery of embankments in prophetic literature often underscores the themes of divine judgment and salvation, reminding believers of God's sovereignty over nations and His ultimate plan for redemption.1. (n.) The act of surrounding or defending with a bank.

2. (n.) A structure of earth, gravel, etc., raised to prevent water from overflowing a level tract of country, to retain water in a reservoir, or to carry a roadway, etc.

5538. Silla -- a place in Jer.
... NASB Word Usage Silla (1). Silla. From calal; an embankment; Silla, a place in
Jerusalem -- Silla. see HEBREW calal. 5537, 5538. Silla. 5539 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/5538.htm - 6k

Historical Criticism of Medi??val Amplifications.
... According to Julian's account, the embankment formed by Sapor, the work of four
months, [282] was so constructed as to encompass the whole circuit of Nisibis ...
/.../v historical criticism of mediaeval amplifications.htm

Pagan Cemeteries.
... the foundation of the city and the fortifications of Servius Tullius, having been
found at the considerable depth of forty-two feet below the embankment of the ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vi pagan cemeteries.htm

Accidents, not Punishments
... What if no collision crushed them; what if they were not destroyed by the ungovernable
iron horse dragging them down from an embankment; yet some badly-built ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/accidents not punishments.htm

The Battle of the Books, 1749-1755.
... The great house, in altered form, is standing still. It is at the corner of Cheyne
Walk and Beaufort Street, and is close to the Thames Embankment. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiii the battle of.htm

Fences and Serpents
... What is meant here is, probably, not such a hedge as we are accustomed to see, but
a dry-stone wall, or, perhaps, an earthen embankment, in the crevices of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/fences and serpents.htm

The King's Highway
... The other is of that same wilderness, but across it a mighty king has flung up a
broad, lofty embankment, a highway raised above the sands, cutting across them ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the kings highway.htm

Moses and his Writings
... Amraphel kept written records describing the splendid temples he built, and a great
embankment which he made to keep the river Tigris from flooding his ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter iii moses and his.htm

The Revolution of 1911
... It was with relief that we saw the distant railway embankment, which indicated to
us that we had reached the end of our litter journey, and might now expect to ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xix the revolution of.htm

In Short, the New Education is as Harsh as the Old...
... of democracy, but of aristocracy. The House of Lords objected to the
Embankment being disfigured by trams. But most of the rich ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 34 in short the.htm

The Highway of Holiness
... leading towards the Heavenly Jerusalem. The embankment on either side slopes
away into thick darkness. In fact, the darkness creeps ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 4 the highway of.htm

Embankment (1 Occurrence)
... a reservoir, or to carry a roadway, etc. Multi-Version Concordance Embankment
(1 Occurrence). Luke 19:43 For the days will come on ...
/e/embankment.htm - 7k

Embalming (3 Occurrences)

/e/embalming.htm - 9k

On (40792 Occurrences)
... Cleopatra's Needle" was one of those which stood in this city in front of the Temple
of Tum, ie, "the sun." It is now erected on the Thames Embankment, London. ...
/o/on.htm - 17k

Lead (192 Occurrences)
... piston is at end of its stroke. 25. (n.) the distance of haul, as from
a cutting to an embankment. 26. (n.) The action of a tooth ...
/l/lead.htm - 42k

Wash (105 Occurrences)
... the shore. 3. (vt) To waste or abrade by the force of water in motion;
as, heavy rains wash a road or an embankment. 4. (vt) To ...
/w/wash.htm - 45k

Fill (126 Occurrences)
... side of the sails. 9. (v.) To make an embankment in, or raise the level
of (a low place), with earth or gravel. 10. (vi) To become ...
/f/fill.htm - 36k

Footing (3 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) The thickened or sloping portion of a wall, or of an embankment at
its foot. Multi-Version Concordance Footing (3 Occurrences). ...
/f/footing.htm - 8k

Rampart (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A broad embankment of earth around a place
as a defensive fortification; a bulwark. It forms the ...
/r/rampart.htm - 9k

Embarked (5 Occurrences)

/e/embarked.htm - 8k

Earthwork (7 Occurrences)
... railroads, etc. 3. (n.) An embankment or construction made of earth.
Multi-Version Concordance Earthwork (7 Occurrences). 2 Kings ...
/e/earthwork.htm - 9k

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