In biblical contexts, the term "paved" often refers to surfaces that are covered or adorned with stones or other materials to create a smooth, durable, and sometimes decorative surface. This term appears in various passages throughout the Bible, illustrating both literal and symbolic meanings.

Old Testament References

1. Solomon's Temple and Palaces: The grandeur of Solomon's constructions is highlighted by the use of costly stones and materials. While the term "paved" is not explicitly used in the Berean Standard Bible, the concept is evident in descriptions of the temple and royal buildings. For instance, 1 Kings 7:9-12 describes the use of precious stones in the construction of Solomon's palace, indicating a form of paving with valuable materials.

2. Ezekiel's Vision: In Ezekiel 40:17, the prophet describes a vision of a temple with a paved court. The passage states, "Then he brought me into the outer court, and there were chambers and a pavement made for the court all around; thirty chambers faced the pavement." This vision emphasizes the order and beauty of the divine structure, with the pavement symbolizing stability and sanctity.

3. Song of Solomon: The Song of Solomon uses the imagery of paving in a poetic and metaphorical sense. In Song of Solomon 3:10, the description of Solomon's carriage includes, "He made its posts of silver, its base of gold, its seat of purple, its interior lovingly inlaid by the daughters of Jerusalem." While not directly mentioning paving, the inlaid work suggests a richly adorned and paved-like surface, symbolizing love and beauty.

New Testament References

1. The Pavement (Gabbatha): In the New Testament, the term "pavement" is notably used in the account of Jesus' trial before Pilate. John 19:13 states, "When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement (Gabbatha in Aramaic)." This location, a paved area, serves as the setting for the momentous judgment of Christ, highlighting the gravity and solemnity of the event.

Symbolic Interpretations

In a broader symbolic sense, paved surfaces in the Bible can represent preparation, order, and the establishment of a firm foundation. The use of precious materials in paving, as seen in Solomon's constructions, can symbolize the value and permanence of God's covenant and the beauty of His creation. The paved court in Ezekiel's vision underscores the holiness and meticulous design of God's dwelling place.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, paved areas were often associated with significant public and religious spaces. The use of stone pavements in temples, palaces, and courts was a mark of architectural advancement and societal importance. These surfaces facilitated gatherings, processions, and ceremonies, serving both practical and ceremonial purposes.

Overall, the concept of paving in the Bible, whether literal or metaphorical, reflects themes of beauty, stability, and divine order, resonating with the broader biblical narrative of God's interaction with His people and the world.(imp. & p. p.) of Pave.1042. Gabbatha -- stone pavement
... Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Gabbatha Phonetic Spelling: (gab-bath-ah') Short
Definition: Gabbatha Definition: Gabbatha, a sort of paved square, on ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1042.htm - 6k

3038. lithostrotos -- stone pavement, mosaic
... of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: lithostrotos Phonetic Spelling: (lith-os'-
tro-tos) Short Definition: a mosaic pavement Definition: (adj: paved with stone ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3038.htm - 6k

3840. libnah -- paved
... 3839, 3840. libnah. 3841 . paved. Transliteration: libnah Phonetic Spelling:
(lib-naw') Short Definition: paved. Word Origin the same as lebenah, qv. paved ...
/hebrew/3840.htm - 5k

Thus the Future of which we Spoke at the Beginning Has in England ...
... Just as they had dragged the rustic from the convent food and ale by saying that
the streets of heaven were paved with gold, so now they dragged him from the ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 11 thus the future.htm

The Dark was Lifting as Vergilius Entered the Field of Mars. ...
... It was an immense, rock-paved road"this Appian Way"straight, wide, and level, flinging
its arches over fen, river, and valley, and breaking through hill ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 11 the dark was.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... roads, although we can scarcely credit the statement of Josephus (Antiq, viii, 7,
4) That Solomon had caused the principal roads to be paved with black stone ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

Place of S. Cyril's Lectures.
... But the area in question Constantine paved with stones, and it must therefore have
been flat, as we learn from Eusebius [318] ; Golgotha, on the contrary ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/chapter viii place of s cyrils.htm

The Boy of Nazareth.
... most wonderful of all, the Temple with its hundreds of white marble pillars, its
beautiful porches and arches, and, rising within its richly-paved courts, the ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iv the boy of.htm

Jewish Homes
... It would also render the paving of the streets less requisite. But we know that
certain towns were paved"Jerusalem with white stones (Josephus, Ant. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 6 jewish homes.htm

Early History of Revision.
... opinion on the public use of this version can possibly be formed unless some general
knowledge be acquired, not only of the circumstances which paved the way ...
/.../address i early history of.htm

The Joy of Unbroken Communion
... The bottom thereof of gold, the seat of it of purple,. The midst thereof being
paved with love (love-gifts). From the daughters of Jerusalem. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/union and communion/section iii the joy of.htm

The City of the "Elegant Gate"[*]
... The most of the streets are paved with coarse granite blocks, yet on account of
the narrowness of the streets, and the want of cleanliness by the great mass of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/iii the city of the.htm

The Adventures of Saint James of Spain.
... of jasper and ebony; on her glittering spires of gold and precious stones; on her
houses of marble and alabaster, the streets between which were paved with tin ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter six the adventures of.htm

Paved (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Paved (2 Occurrences). ... Under his feet was like a paved
work of sapphire stone, like the skies for clearness. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/p/paved.htm - 7k

Pavement (9 Occurrences)
... Pilate caused his seat of judgment to be set down in a place called "the Pavement"
(John 19:13) ie, a place paved with a mosaic of coloured stones. ...
/p/pavement.htm - 11k

Gabbatha (1 Occurrence)
... was built. This "temple-mound" was covered with a tesselated "pavement"
(Gr. lithostroton, ie, "stone-paved"). A judgement-seat ...
/g/gabbatha.htm - 8k

Pause (4 Occurrences)

/p/pause.htm - 8k

Libnah (18 Occurrences)
... lib'-na (libhnah "whiteness," "transparency," "pavement" (compare Exodus 24:10 where
libhnath, is translated "paved work" or a "compact foundation"); Lebna): (1 ...
/l/libnah.htm - 15k

Gerasa
... Two paved streets with double colonnades cut through the city at right angles,
four massive pedestals still marking the point of intersection. ...
/g/gerasa.htm - 10k

Gerasenes (3 Occurrences)
... Two paved streets with double colonnades cut through the city at right angles,
four massive pedestals still marking the point of intersection. ...
/g/gerasenes.htm - 11k

Inlaid (8 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 3:10 He made the pillars thereof of silver, The bottom thereof of
gold, the seat of it of purple, The midst thereof being paved with love, From ...
/i/inlaid.htm - 8k

English
... produced (670) his metrical version of the Bible, hardly indeed to be reckoned a
version of the Scriptures in the ordinary sense, though it paved the way for ...
/e/english.htm - 38k

Middle (169 Occurrences)
... sanctuary. It was paved with the finest variegated marble. Its name signified
that it was open to all, Jews or Gentiles alike. It ...
/m/middle.htm - 45k

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