Jamb
Jump to: Webster'sConcordanceThesaurusLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical architecture and symbolism, the term "jamb" refers to the side posts or vertical elements of a doorway or entrance. While the word "jamb" itself is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the concept is integral to the construction and design of sacred spaces, particularly in the context of the Tabernacle and the Temple.

Biblical Context and Symbolism

The concept of a jamb is closely associated with the construction of the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple, where precise architectural details were given by God to Moses and later to Solomon. These structures were not only places of worship but also represented the dwelling place of God among His people. The jambs, as part of the doorways, symbolized the threshold between the secular and the sacred, the earthly and the divine.

The Tabernacle

In the construction of the Tabernacle, as described in the Book of Exodus, God provided Moses with detailed instructions on how to build this portable sanctuary. Although the term "jamb" is not used, the posts and frames that supported the entrance curtains can be seen as analogous to jambs. These elements were crafted with acacia wood and overlaid with gold, signifying purity and divine presence (Exodus 26:32-37).

Solomon's Temple

Solomon's Temple, a more permanent structure, also featured detailed architectural elements, including doorposts and frames that can be likened to jambs. The Temple's design, as described in 1 Kings 6, included intricate carvings and gold overlays, emphasizing the holiness and grandeur of the space. The doorposts, or jambs, were part of the entrance to the inner sanctuary, the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept (1 Kings 6:31-35).

Spiritual Significance

In a spiritual sense, the jambs of biblical doorways can be seen as representing stability and support, holding up the entrance to sacred spaces. They serve as a reminder of the strength and steadfastness required to uphold one's faith and the importance of maintaining a clear boundary between the holy and the profane.

Related Biblical Imagery

The imagery of doorways and thresholds is prevalent throughout the Bible. In the Passover narrative, the Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb to protect their households from the plague of the firstborn (Exodus 12:7). This act of faith and obedience highlights the significance of the doorway as a place of divine protection and covenant.

Conclusion

While the term "jamb" is not directly mentioned in the Bible, its conceptual presence in the architecture of sacred spaces underscores its importance in biblical symbolism. The jambs of the Tabernacle and Temple serve as a metaphor for the strength and sanctity required to enter into the presence of God, reflecting the broader themes of holiness and divine order found throughout Scripture.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) The vertical side of any opening, as a door or fireplace; hence, less properly, any narrow vertical surface of wall, as the of a chimney-breast or of a pier, as distinguished from its face.

2. (n.) Any thick mass of rock which prevents miners from following the lode or vein.

3. (v. t.) See Jam.

Library

The Scar-Marks of Surrender.
... And he would take his servant out to the door of the home, and standing him up against
the door-jamb would pierce the lobe of his ear through with an awl. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/the scar-marks of surrender.htm

Man's Bad Break.
... Two inclined planes lead out of every man's path. Two doors open into them side
by side. God's door up, the tempter's door down, and only a door-jamb between. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/mans bad break.htm

Rom. v. 12
... Cyr. Cat. Intr. 1. p. 1, OT. [1349] Or "still," ei kai alethes. [1350] St. Gr. Naz.
Jamb. xx; 271, p. 228 (in Ed. Ben. xxiv. 277, p. 508). B. What? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily x rom v 12.htm

Thesaurus
Jamb (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Any thick mass of rock which prevents miners from following the lode or
vein. 3. (vt) See Jam. Multi-Version Concordance Jamb (1 Occurrence). ...
/j/jamb.htm - 7k

Jambres (2 Occurrences)

/j/jambres.htm - 11k

Keeper (72 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A ring, strap, clamp, or any device for holding an object in place; as:
(a) The box on a door jamb into which the bolt of a lock protrudes, when shot. ...
/k/keeper.htm - 30k

Jalon (1 Occurrence)

/j/jalon.htm - 7k

Reveal (29 Occurrences)
... door frame or window frame and the outer surface of the wall; or, where the opening
is not filled with a door, etc., the whole thickness of the wall; the jamb. ...
/r/reveal.htm - 15k

Elbow (1 Occurrence)
... A sharp angle in any surface of wainscoting or other woodwork; the upright sides
which flank any paneled work, as the sides of windows, where the jamb makes an ...
/e/elbow.htm - 7k

Doorpost (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The jamb or sidepiece of a doorway. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. DOORPOST. dor'-post. See HOUSE. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/d/doorpost.htm - 8k

Stop (108 Occurrences)
... stop. 16. (n.) A member, plain or molded, formed of a separate piece and
fixed to a jamb, against which a door or window shuts. This ...
/s/stop.htm - 38k

Resources
Jamb: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Jalon: Son of Ezra
Top of Page
Top of Page