Terraces, in the context of biblical times, refer to the agricultural practice of creating stepped levels on hilly or mountainous terrain to cultivate crops. This method was essential in ancient Israel due to the region's varied topography, which includes many hills and valleys. Terracing allowed for the efficient use of land, preventing soil erosion and maximizing arable space in a land where flat plains were limited.

Biblical References and Historical Context

The Bible does not explicitly mention terraces by name, but the practice is implied through descriptions of agricultural activities and the geography of the land. The Israelites, upon entering the Promised Land, encountered a landscape that required innovative farming techniques to sustain their communities. Terracing was one such method that enabled them to grow olives, grapes, and other crops on the hillsides.

In the Song of Solomon, the imagery of vineyards and gardens on hillsides may allude to terraced agriculture. The verse, "My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to graze in the gardens and gather lilies" (Song of Solomon 6:2), evokes the careful cultivation and management of land that terracing would facilitate.

Archaeological Evidence

Archaeological findings in regions such as the Judean Hills and the Galilee provide evidence of ancient terracing. Stone walls and earthworks have been uncovered, indicating the presence of terraced fields dating back to the Iron Age. These structures demonstrate the ingenuity and labor-intensive efforts of the Israelites to adapt to their environment and ensure food security.

Symbolic and Theological Implications

Terraces, while primarily agricultural, also carry symbolic significance in the biblical narrative. The act of transforming rugged terrain into productive land can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual cultivation and growth. Just as terraces require careful planning and maintenance, so too does the spiritual life require diligence and nurturing.

Theologically, the use of terraces reflects the biblical theme of stewardship. God entrusted the Israelites with the land, and their responsibility was to manage it wisely and sustainably. This principle is echoed in the broader biblical mandate for humanity to "fill the earth and subdue it" (Genesis 1:28), emphasizing the balance between utilizing and preserving God's creation.

Cultural and Practical Aspects

Terracing was not unique to Israel but was a common practice in many ancient civilizations facing similar geographical challenges. The technique involved constructing retaining walls and leveling the soil to create flat areas for planting. This method conserved water, reduced erosion, and allowed for the cultivation of a variety of crops, which were essential for the sustenance and economic stability of the community.

In summary, while terraces are not explicitly named in the Bible, their presence and significance are woven into the fabric of the biblical landscape and narrative. They represent the intersection of human ingenuity, divine provision, and the call to stewardship that characterizes the relationship between God, humanity, and the land.

The Conquest of Babylon.
... of the king."Temple of Belus."The bridge."Sculptures."The hanging gardens."
Construction of the gardens."The platform and terraces."Engine for ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter viii the conquest of.htm

Kumaon.
... The consequence is that cultivation is carried on mainly in terraces. Where
the slope is gradual, and the soil fit for cultivation ...
/.../kennedy/life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xx kumaon.htm

The City of the "Elegant Gate"[*]
... The sides of the ravines are leveled by digging down, and walling up, if necessary,
forming terraces or small fields, the one above the other. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/iii the city of the.htm

What was Heard in the Basilica of Peace
... In front of the basilica is a wide rectangular court bordered with terraces; a portico
at the far end; and in the middle four large fountains to water the walk ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii what was heard in.htm

Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
... now lies desolate"its bare, grey hills looking into ill-tilled or neglected valleys,
its timber cut down, its olive- and vine-clad terraces crumbled into dust ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 1 palestine eighteen centuries.htm

The Northern Mountains
... The terraces in which they rise mark successive periods of upheaval; and
how long these periods were, no reasonable man dare guess. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xi the northern mountains.htm

Set at Liberty.
... Groups of nobles, knights, and ladies, would gather on the terraces, looking out
over the Dead Sea, and away to Jerusalem, and in the far distance to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xiv set at liberty.htm

Appendix 1 Massecheth Middoth
... 8. The Beth Moked was arched, and was a great house surrounded by extensions (perhaps
terraces) of stone, and the elders of the house of their fathers slept ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/appendix 1 massecheth middoth.htm

The Festival of Games, in Honor of Augustus, were About to Begin ...
... of his kindred. On the circular terraces of a great fountain below and
in front of them were rows of naked maidens. Circle after ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 24 the festival of.htm

Nineveh.
... were huge palaces, built of the same bricks, faced with alabaster, and the rooms
decked with cedar, gilding, and ivory, and raised upon terraces whence broad ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ix nineveh.htm

Terraces (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Terraces (9 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 5:9 David
lived in the stronghold, and called it the city of David. ...
/t/terraces.htm - 8k

Terrace (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A balcony, especially a large and uncovered one. 3. (n.) A flat roof to
a house; as, the buildings of the Oriental nations are covered with terraces. ...
/t/terrace.htm - 7k

Gallery (2 Occurrences)
... the more probable suggestions are "pillar," "column," "walk with pillars," "colonnades,"
"passageway," "porches," "galleries" of "terraces." Cornhill suggests ...
/g/gallery.htm - 11k

Irrigation
... Hardly a drop of many mountain streams is allowed to reach the sea, but is used
to water the gardens of the mountain terraces and plains. ...
/i/irrigation.htm - 9k

Assos (2 Occurrences)
... high; its sides are covered with terraces, both natural and artificial, and so steep
is it that Stratoricus wrote of it: "If you wish to hasten your death, try ...
/a/assos.htm - 10k

Botany
... It is further confirmed by the presence everywhere of the ruins of ancient terraces
on the hillsides and of the "broken cisterns" which are found at every site ...
/b/botany.htm - 38k

Vine (76 Occurrences)
... The stones must first be gathered out and utilized for the construction of a protecting
wall or of terraces or as the bases of towers (Isaiah 5:2 Matthew 21:33 ...
/v/vine.htm - 46k

Mount (311 Occurrences)
... The vine, the fig and the olive grow luxuriantly. Higher up we scramble over rough
rocky terraces, where grow only the ubiquitous thistles and prickly shrubs. ...
/m/mount.htm - 68k

Lyres (21 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 9:11 The king made of the algum trees terraces for the house of Yahweh,
and for the king's house, and harps and stringed instruments for the ...
/l/lyres.htm - 13k

Gerizim (4 Occurrences)
... sides of the mountain are steep and rocky on East and North; on the West the ascent
is more gradual, and here, by means of a system of terraces carried almost ...
/g/gerizim.htm - 14k

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