In biblical times, stairs or staircases were architectural features that facilitated movement between different levels of a structure or terrain. They are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, often symbolizing transition, elevation, or access to sacred spaces.

Biblical References:

1. Jacob's Ladder (Genesis 28:12): One of the most famous references to a stair-like structure is Jacob's dream of a ladder reaching to heaven. "And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it" . This vision symbolizes the connection between the divine and the earthly, with the ladder serving as a conduit for heavenly beings.

2. The Temple of Solomon (1 Kings 6:8): The construction of Solomon's Temple included a winding staircase. "The entrance to the lowest floor was on the south side of the temple; a stairway led up to the middle level and from there to the third" . This architectural detail highlights the complexity and grandeur of the temple, reflecting its sacred purpose.

3. The Palace of Solomon (1 Kings 10:19-20): The grandeur of Solomon's palace is further emphasized by the description of the throne and its approach. "The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest" . The steps leading to the throne signify authority and majesty.

4. The Vision of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 40:6): In Ezekiel's vision of the new temple, stairs are again a prominent feature. "Then he went to the gate facing east, climbed its steps, and measured the threshold of the gate; it was one rod deep" . The steps in this vision symbolize the approach to holiness and the order of divine worship.

Symbolic Significance:

Stairs in the Bible often symbolize spiritual ascent or the journey towards God. They can represent the steps of faith, growth in spiritual maturity, or the process of sanctification. The imagery of ascending stairs is frequently associated with drawing nearer to God, as seen in the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134), which were sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern architecture, stairs were not only functional but also symbolic. They were used in ziggurats and other religious structures to signify the ascent to the divine realm. In Israelite culture, stairs in the temple and other sacred spaces underscored the separation between the holy and the common, requiring intentional movement and preparation to approach God.

Theological Implications:

The presence of stairs in biblical narratives and structures often points to the need for intentionality in one's spiritual journey. Just as physical stairs require effort to ascend, spiritual growth requires dedication and perseverance. The imagery of stairs invites believers to consider their own journey towards holiness and the steps they must take to draw closer to God.

In summary, stairs in the Bible serve as powerful symbols of transition, elevation, and access to the divine. They remind believers of the journey of faith and the steps necessary to approach the presence of God.1. (n.) One step of a series for ascending or descending to a different level; -- commonly applied to those within a building.

2. (n.) A series of steps, as for passing from one story of a house to another; -- commonly used in the plural; but originally used in the singular only.

STAIR

star.

See HOUSE.

4609b. maalah -- a step, stair
... 4609a, 4609b. maalah. 4610 . a step, stair. Transliteration: maalah
Short Definition: steps. Word Origin from alah Definition a ...
/hebrew/4609b.htm - 5k

4095. madregah -- steep place, a steep
... stair, steep place. From an unused root meaning to step; properly, a step; by
implication, a steep or inaccessible place -- stair, steep place. 4094b, 4095. ...
/hebrew/4095.htm - 6k

4609. ma'alah -- what comes up
... what comes up. Transliteration: ma'alah Phonetic Spelling: (mah-al-aw') Short
Definition: step. things that come up, high degree, deal, go up, stair, step, story ...
/hebrew/4609.htm - 6k

3883. lul -- a shaft or enclosed space with steps or ladder
... winding stair. From an unused root meaning to fold back; a spiral step -- winding
stair. Compare lula'ah. see HEBREW lula'ah. 3882, 3883. lul. 3884 . ...
/hebrew/3883.htm - 6k

5944. aliyyah -- a roof chamber
... Feminine from alah; something lofty, ie A stair-way; also a second-story room (or
even one on the roof); figuratively, the sky -- ascent, (upper) chamber ...
/hebrew/5944.htm - 6k

5551. sullam -- a ladder
... Word Origin from salal Definition a ladder NASB Word Usage ladder (1). ladder. From
calal; a stair-case -- ladder. see HEBREW calal. 5550, 5551. sullam. 5552 ...
/hebrew/5551.htm - 6k

"There, Baby!" Said Diamond; "I'M So Happy that I Can Only Sing ...
... bush. There he found what seemed the very opposite of what he wanted"-
a stair down into the earth. It was of turf and moss. It ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 25 there baby said.htm

A Few Nights after This, Diamond Woke up Suddenly...
... So he got up and put on part of his clothes, and went down the stair, for the cabman's
room did not open upon their stair, and he had to go out into the yard ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 18 a few nights.htm

When Diamond Got Round the Corner of the Hay...
... The stair by which he would naturally have gone down to the door was at the other
side of the loft, and looked very black indeed; for it was full of North ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 2 when diamond got.htm

The Shunammite's Boy.
... Then alighting from his ass, he went up the outside stair to a little chamber on
the wall, which was always ready to receive him, and there he and his servant ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the shunammites boy.htm

I must not Go on Describing what Cannot be Described...
... Then North Wind set Diamond on his feet, and he found himself at the top of a stone
stair, which went twisting away down into the darkness for only a little ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 7 i must not.htm

Mr. ...
... "I will show you the place," she answered; and taking him by the hand, she led
him up and up the oval-winding stair in one of the two towers. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 35 mr .htm

Diamond Woke Very Early in the Morning, and Thought what a Curious ...
... Diamond saw"-for it was a starlit night, and the mass of hay was at a low ebb
now"-the gleam of something vanishing down the stair, and, springing out of ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 3 diamond woke very.htm

Appendix 1 Massecheth Middoth
... If an accident befell one of them, he went out and had to go by the winding stair
which went under the house, and lights were burning on either side, till he ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/appendix 1 massecheth middoth.htm

Christ's Authority to Forgive
... of poor men's houses in Palestine still"a one-storied building with a low, flat
roof, mostly earthen, and easily reached from the ground by an outside stair. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christs authority to forgive.htm

The Way.
... Was it meant for a test, and not as an actual word of deliverance? Did he show the
child a next step on the stair too high for him to set his foot upon? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the way.htm

Stair
... another; -- commonly used in the plural; but originally used in the singular
only. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. STAIR. star. See HOUSE. ...
/s/stair.htm - 6k

Degree (19 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A step, stair, or staircase. 2. (n.) One
of a series of progressive steps upward or downward, in ...
/d/degree.htm - 16k

Pamphylia (6 Occurrences)
... from the coast up the steep mountain to the interior existed in ancient times; one
of them, called the Kimax or the Ladder, with its broad stair-like steps ...
/p/pamphylia.htm - 12k

Step (41 Occurrences)
... pace. 8. (n.) A rest, or one of a set of rests, for the foot in ascending
or descending, as a stair, or a round of a ladder. 9. (n ...
/s/step.htm - 19k

Stainlessly (1 Occurrence)

/s/stainlessly.htm - 6k

Staircases (1 Occurrence)

/s/staircases.htm - 6k

Stair: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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