In biblical times, enclosures were significant for various practical and symbolic reasons. They served as protective barriers, demarcated sacred spaces, and were often used in agricultural and pastoral contexts. The concept of enclosures can be seen throughout the Bible, reflecting both physical and spiritual themes.

Agricultural and Pastoral Enclosures

Enclosures were commonly used in agriculture and animal husbandry. Fields and vineyards were often enclosed to protect crops from animals and thieves. In the Song of Solomon, the beloved is compared to a "garden locked up" (Song of Solomon 4:12), symbolizing purity and exclusivity. Shepherds also used enclosures, such as sheepfolds, to protect their flocks. In John 10:1, Jesus refers to the sheepfold, illustrating His role as the Good Shepherd: "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber."

City Walls and Fortifications

Cities in ancient Israel were often enclosed by walls for protection against invaders. The walls of Jericho, famously brought down by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership, are a notable example (Joshua 6:20). Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile highlight the importance of enclosures for security and identity (Nehemiah 2:17-18).

Sacred Enclosures

The concept of sacred enclosures is evident in the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple. The Tabernacle, described in Exodus, was surrounded by a courtyard with specific dimensions and materials, creating a holy space set apart for worship (Exodus 27:9-19). Similarly, the Temple in Jerusalem had various courts and enclosures, each with increasing levels of sanctity, culminating in the Holy of Holies.

Symbolic and Spiritual Enclosures

Enclosures also carry symbolic meanings in Scripture. They can represent God's protection and care for His people. Psalm 91:4 uses the imagery of a protective enclosure: "He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart." This metaphorical enclosure signifies divine security and comfort.

Moreover, enclosures can symbolize separation from sin and the world. In 2 Corinthians 6:17 , believers are called to "come out from among them and be separate," indicating a spiritual enclosure that sets God's people apart for holiness.

Conclusion

Enclosures in the Bible serve multiple purposes, from practical uses in agriculture and city defense to profound spiritual symbolism. They reflect themes of protection, sanctity, and separation, illustrating the multifaceted ways God interacts with His creation and His people.

Shepherd Life in the Orient.
... He must lead them out to pasture and to water, he must guide and protect them, he
must gather them into the fold at night or into caves and enclosures, at times ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/ii shepherd life in the.htm

Meditation iii. Arrangements for Eating the Paschal Lamb.
... the Temple. In the southern part of this market I saw little enclosures
in which some beautiful lambs were gambolling about. Here ...
/.../meditation iii arrangements for eating.htm

Introduction
... The kings too by their successive enclosures secured those breathing-places
which are so necessary for the health of a great city. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/conybeare/a grammar of septuagint greek/introduction.htm

And when the Circle of Three Years had Rolled Round...
... Therefore, a sacrifice having been offered according to the custom of the law, and
their vow being perfected, they left the virgin within the enclosures of the ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of the nativity of mary/chapter 6 and when the.htm

The Relation of Home to the Church.
... a spiritual leaven. It is the purpose of God that our homes be entrenched
within the sacred enclosures of His church. The former ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter iv the relation of.htm

Doctrines of the Christians and Greeks Respecting God Compared.
... For he says that neither Hera, nor Athen??, nor Zeus are what those persons suppose
who consecrate to them sacred enclosures and groves, but parts of nature ...
/.../tatians address to the greeks/chapter xxi doctrines of the christians.htm

The Good Shepherd.
... The sheepfolds of the East are large enclosures, open to the sky, but walled around
with reeds, or stone, or brick in order to afford a protection against ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the good shepherd.htm

Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
... daily drew lots for these duties] of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into
the temple [not that group of buildings, courts, and enclosures which was ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/v annunciation to zacharias of.htm

Discourse on the Good Shepherd.
... second. The sheepfolds of the East are roofless enclosures, made of loose
stone, or surrounded by thornbushes. They have but one door. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxxii discourse on the good.htm

What are the Sins Forbidden in the Eighth Commandment?
... in contracts between man and man, or in matters of trust; oppression, extortion,
usury, bribery, vexatious lawsuits, unjust enclosures and depopulations ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/question 142 0 0 what are the.htm

Enclosures (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Enclosures (10 Occurrences). Exodus ... them. (DBY).
Exodus 28:13 And thou shalt make enclosures of gold; (DBY). ...
/e/enclosures.htm - 9k

Hazeroth (5 Occurrences)
... Fenced enclosures consisting of "a low wall of stones in which thick bundles of
thorny acacia are inserted, the tangled branches and long needle-like spikes ...
/h/hazeroth.htm - 9k

Mounted (32 Occurrences)
... Exodus 39:6 And they wrought the onyx stones mounted in enclosures of gold, engraved
with the engravings of a seal, according to the names of the sons of Israel ...
/m/mounted.htm - 15k

Erech (2 Occurrences)
... This is the great temple-tower (ziq-qurat) of the place, called E-gipar-imina,
"the house of 7 enclosures." The remains are situated in a large courtyard ...
/e/erech.htm - 13k

Enclosure (6 Occurrences)

/e/enclosure.htm - 8k

Encompass (20 Occurrences)

/e/encompass.htm - 12k

Village (21 Occurrences)
... They were originally enclosures specially for cattle, alongside of which dwellings
for the herdsmen and peasantry naturally grew up (see HAZAR-ADDAR; HAZOR). ...
/v/village.htm - 16k

Kidron (11 Occurrences)
... from qadhar, "to become black," but it is an attractive suggestion (Cheyne) that
it may be a phonetic variation of gidderon, "a spot for enclosures for cattle ...
/k/kidron.htm - 17k

Laced (3 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:14 and two chains of pure gold; of laced work shalt thou make them, of
wreathen work, and fasten the wreathen chains to the enclosures. (DBY). ...
/l/laced.htm - 7k

Gethsemane (2 Occurrences)
... hill slopes must have so much changed their forms in the troubled times of the first
and second centuries, and the loose stone walls of such enclosures are of ...
/g/gethsemane.htm - 11k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus