Topical Encyclopedia In the ancient Near Eastern context, the architecture of houses often included flat roofs, which played a significant role in the daily and social life of the inhabitants. These flat roofs were not merely structural features but served various practical and social purposes, including being a place for secret conferences and private gatherings.Biblical Context and Usage The flat roofs of houses in biblical times were accessible via an external staircase and were often used as additional living space. This architectural feature is mentioned in several biblical passages, highlighting its importance in the cultural and social practices of the time. One notable instance of the use of a flat roof for a secret conference is found in the account of Rahab in the Book of Joshua. Rahab, a resident of Jericho, used her roof to hide the Israelite spies sent by Joshua to scout the city. Joshua 2:6 states, "But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them among the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof." This passage illustrates how the flat roof provided a secluded and strategic location for concealment and clandestine activities. Cultural and Social Significance The flat roofs were integral to the social fabric of ancient Israelite society. They were used for various purposes, including drying produce, sleeping during hot weather, and as a place for prayer and meditation. The privacy afforded by the roof made it an ideal location for secret meetings and discussions, away from the prying eyes of neighbors and authorities. In 1 Samuel 9:25 , we see another example of the use of a roof for private conversation. After Samuel anoints Saul as king, they engage in a private discussion on the roof of Samuel's house: "And when they came down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof." This setting underscores the roof's role as a place for intimate and confidential dialogue. Symbolic and Theological Implications The use of flat roofs for secret conferences can also be seen as a metaphor for the hidden and often mysterious ways in which God works in the lives of His people. Just as the roof provides a hidden space for human interaction, so too does God operate in ways that are not always visible or understood by human perception. The secretive nature of these meetings on the roof can be seen as a reflection of the divine mysteries that unfold in the biblical narrative. Furthermore, the flat roof as a place of refuge and secrecy can be viewed in light of God's protection and provision for His people. In the case of Rahab, the roof becomes a symbol of salvation and divine intervention, as her actions ultimately lead to her and her family's preservation during the fall of Jericho. Conclusion The flat roofs of houses in biblical times served as more than just architectural features; they were vital spaces for social interaction, religious practices, and secretive meetings. Through various biblical accounts, the flat roof emerges as a significant element in the narrative, offering insights into the cultural practices and theological themes of the ancient world. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Samuel 9:25,26And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul on the top of the house. Torrey's Topical Textbook Resources Is it wrong to live in nice houses (Haggai 1:4)? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian go to a haunted house? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to worship the starry host or the host of the heavens (Zephaniah 1:5)? | GotQuestions.org Houses: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Houses in Cities, Built in Streets Houses of Brick or Clay: Easily Broken Through Houses of Brick or Clay: Often Swept Away by Torrents Houses of Brick or Clay: Plastered Houses of Criminals, Desolated Houses: (Building of) of Great Prosperity Houses: (Built and not Inhabited) of Calamity Houses: (Insecurity of) of Earthly Trust Houses: (On a Rock) the Hope of Saints Houses: (On Sand) the Delusive Hope of Hypocrites Houses: (To Inhabit Those, Built by Others) Abundant Feelings Houses: Accessible from the Outside Houses: Admission To, Gained by Knocking at the Door Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Ceiled and Painted Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Hung With Rich Tapestries Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Inlaid With Ivory Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Large and Airy Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Warmed With Fires Houses: Built of Hewn or Cut Stone Houses: Built of Stone and Wood Houses: Custom of Fastening Nails, in Walls of, Alluded To Houses: Deep and Solid Foundations Required For Houses: Desolation of, Threatened As a Punishment Houses: Divided Into Apartments Houses: Doors of, How Fastened Houses: Doors of, Low and Small for Safety Houses: Entered by a Gate or Door Houses: had often Detached Apartments for Secrecy and for Strangers Houses: had often Several Stories Houses: Law Respecting the Sale of Houses: Often Broken Down to Repair City Walls Before Sieges Houses: Often Built on City Walls Houses: Serpents often Lodged in Walls of Houses: Sometimes Built Without Foundation Houses: Street Windows of, High and Dangerous Houses: The Courts of, Large and Used As Apartments Houses: The Flat Roofs of had often Booths on Them Houses: The Flat Roofs of had often Idolatrous Altars on Them Houses: The Flat Roofs of Often Covered With Week Grass Houses: The Flat Roofs of Resorted to in Grief Houses: The Flat Roofs of Surrounded With Battlements Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Devotion Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Drying Flax Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Exercise Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Making Proclamations Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Secret Conference Houses: Upper Apartments of, the Best, and Used for Entertainments Houses: when Finished Were Usually Dedicated Related Terms |
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