Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the construction of houses varied significantly based on the available materials and the socio-economic status of the inhabitants. Houses made of brick or clay were common, especially in regions where wood and stone were less accessible or more costly. These materials, while practical and affordable, were also susceptible to damage and intrusion, a fact that is reflected in various biblical passages.The vulnerability of such structures is highlighted in the teachings of Jesus, who often used everyday realities to convey spiritual truths. In Matthew 6:19, Jesus warns, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." The phrase "break in" (Greek: "diorussō") literally means "to dig through," alluding to the ease with which thieves could penetrate the walls of a house made of clay or mud bricks. This imagery would have resonated with His audience, who understood the fragility of their homes and the constant threat of theft. The prophet Ezekiel also references the inadequacy of such structures in a metaphorical sense. In Ezekiel 13:10-11, he condemns the false prophets of Israel, saying, "Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because when a flimsy wall is built, they plaster it with whitewash, tell those who plaster it with whitewash that it will fall. There will be a deluge of rain, and I will send hailstones plunging down, and a windstorm will burst forth." Here, the "flimsy wall" represents the false security offered by the prophets, easily destroyed by the elements, much like a poorly constructed house. The construction of houses with such materials also serves as a metaphor for spiritual and moral integrity. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus contrasts the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27. The foolish man builds his house on sand, a foundation that cannot withstand storms, symbolizing a life not grounded in the teachings of Christ. While the text does not specify the materials used, the implication is clear: a house, no matter how well constructed, is only as strong as its foundation. In the ancient Near East, the use of clay and mud bricks was a practical choice, but it came with inherent risks. These materials were susceptible to weathering and erosion, requiring constant maintenance and vigilance. This reality is mirrored in the spiritual life, where believers are called to build their lives on the solid foundation of Christ's teachings, rather than the easily compromised materials of worldly wisdom and fleeting security. The Bible's references to houses of brick or clay serve as a poignant reminder of the temporal nature of earthly dwellings and the importance of building one's life on the enduring truths of Scripture. Torrey's Topical Textbook Job 24:16In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezekiel 12:5 Library The Nile and Egypt Matt. xxi. 33-44. Chaldaean Civilization La Brea The Conquest of Babylon. Egypt Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea Pagan Cemeteries. 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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