A pediment is an architectural element commonly found in classical architecture, characterized by a triangular gable found above the horizontal structure of a building, typically supported by columns. While the term "pediment" itself does not appear in the Bible, the concept and its architectural significance can be related to the structures mentioned in biblical texts, particularly those influenced by Greco-Roman architecture.

Biblical Context and Architecture

In the context of the Bible, architecture plays a significant role in the depiction of sacred spaces, such as the Tabernacle, Solomon's Temple, and later, Herod's Temple. Although these structures predate the widespread use of the pediment in Greco-Roman architecture, the influence of Hellenistic and Roman styles became more pronounced during the intertestamental period and into the New Testament era.

The New Testament, particularly the Gospels and Acts, provides glimpses into the architectural landscape of the time. For instance, Herod's Temple, which stood during Jesus' ministry, was a grand structure that incorporated elements of Hellenistic architecture. While the Bible does not describe the temple as having a pediment, the influence of Roman architecture in the region suggests that such elements could have been present in other contemporary structures.

Symbolism and Significance

In classical architecture, the pediment often served not only a structural purpose but also a decorative one, frequently adorned with sculptures and reliefs depicting mythological or historical scenes. In a biblical context, the use of such decorative elements can be seen as a reflection of the cultural and artistic exchanges between the Jewish people and their Hellenistic and Roman neighbors.

Theologically, the presence of grand architectural elements like pediments in the structures of the time can be seen as a testament to the human desire to create spaces that reflect the glory and majesty of God. The grandeur of these buildings, including the Temple, was intended to inspire awe and reverence, drawing the faithful into a deeper worship experience.

Scriptural References

While the Bible does not explicitly mention pediments, it does reference the grandeur and beauty of sacred spaces. For example, in the construction of Solomon's Temple, the Bible describes the intricate details and the use of precious materials, emphasizing the splendor of the house of God (1 Kings 6:14-22). Similarly, in the New Testament, the disciples remark on the magnificence of the Temple's stones and buildings (Mark 13:1).

Cultural and Historical Influence

The influence of Greco-Roman architecture, including elements like pediments, is evident in the archaeological remains of synagogues and other public buildings from the Second Temple period. These structures often incorporated classical elements, reflecting the broader cultural milieu in which the Jewish people lived.

In summary, while the Bible does not specifically mention pediments, the architectural grandeur of biblical structures and the cultural exchanges of the time suggest that such elements were part of the broader architectural landscape. These structures served as a testament to the glory of God and the cultural interactions of the ancient world.(n.) Originally, in classical architecture, the triangular space forming the gable of a simple roof; hence, a similar form used as a decoration over porticoes, doors, windows, etc.; also, a rounded or broken frontal having a similar position and use. See Temple.

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... we come upon a monument resembling the facade of a house or temple cut out of the
virgin rock; it consists of a low triangular pediment, surmounted by a double ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler
... Hardened to stony plinths, he raised his eyes. O'er broad fa??ade and lofty
pediment,. O'er architrave, and frieze, and sainted niche,. ...
/.../the history and life of the reverend doctor john tauler/title page.htm

Fifth Tractate. That the Intellectual Beings are not Outside the ...
... god manifesting before there is any vision of that other, the Supreme which rests
over all, enthroned in transcendence upon that splendid pediment, the Nature ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/fifth tractate that the intellectual.htm

The Maccabees.
... of his father and mother, and their five sons; all covered in by a portico, supported
on seven pillars, the whole of white marble, and the pediment so high ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xviii the maccabees.htm

The Anointing of Jesus.
... On the Parthenon there were figures placed with their backs hard against the wall
of the pediment; these backs were never seen and were not intended to be seen ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/i the anointing of jesus.htm

Letter xiii. --To the Church at Nicomedia .
... aqueduct to the thirsty, if there is no water in it, even though the symmetrical
disposition of columns [2217] variously shaped rear aloft the pediment [2218 ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter xiii to the church at.htm

Of Repentance, of Pardon, and the Commands of God.
... [1269] Qu?? summum fastigium imponerent. The phrase properly means to complete a
building by raising the pediment or gable. Hence its figurative use. [See cap. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxiv of repentance of pardon.htm

Pagan Shrines and Temples.
... Danaids; fifty of the sons of Egypt; the Herakles of Lysippos; Augustus with the
attributes of Apollo (a bronze statue fifty feet high); the pediment of the ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter ii pagan shrines and.htm

Pagan Cemeteries.
... This excellent work of art, cut in Carrara marble, shows the bust of the
owner in a square niche, above which is a round pediment. ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vi pagan cemeteries.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4. <. ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Pediment (1 Occurrence)
... frontal having a similar position and use. See Temple. Multi-Version Concordance
Pediment (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 16:17 King Ahaz cut ...
/p/pediment.htm - 7k

Peel (1 Occurrence)

/p/peel.htm - 9k

Frontal (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) An ornamental band for the hair. 5. (n.) The metal face guard of
a soldier. 6. (n.) A little pediment over a door or window. ...
/f/frontal.htm - 7k

Pedigrees (3 Occurrences)

/p/pedigrees.htm - 7k

Athens (5 Occurrences)
... The eastern pediment contained sculptures representing the birth of the goddess
(Elgin Marbles, now in the British Museum), the western depicting her contest ...
/a/athens.htm - 15k

Rome (12 Occurrences)
... The Tarquins summoned Etruscan artisans and artists to Rome, who made from terra
cotta cult statues and a pediment group for the Capitoline temple. ...
/r/rome.htm - 43k

Music (143 Occurrences)
... monuments. There is the large and elaborate kind with a well-developed
sound-box, that served also as a pediment, at its base. This ...
/m/music.htm - 78k

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