Lexical Summary maaqeh: Parapet, railing, or balustrade Original Word: מַעֲקֶה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance battlement From an unused root meaning to repress; a parapet -- battlement. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a parapet NASB Translation parapet (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַעֲקֶה noun [masculine] parapet; — Deuteronomy 22:8. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Idea מַעֲקֶה denotes a protective barrier, usually a low wall or railing, built around the flat roof of a house. Its purpose is preventative: to keep those who use the rooftop from falling and suffering injury or death. Biblical Occurrence Deuteronomy 22:8 is the single canonical use: “When you build a new house, you are to construct a parapet around your roof, so that you will not bring bloodshed on your house if someone falls from it”. Architectural and Social Background Ancient Israelite homes often featured flat roofs that served as living and working spaces—places for drying produce (Joshua 2:6), private prayer (1 Samuel 9:25–26), fellowship (Nehemiah 8:16), or evening rest (2 Samuel 11:2). The rooftop thus required a safety measure. The parapet embodied prudent craftsmanship that acknowledged the roof’s communal use and the inherent hazard. Covenantal Ethics and Community Safety The statute reflects God’s holistic covenant: righteousness involves not only worship and sacrifices but also day-to-day responsibilities that guard human life. Comparable laws appear in Exodus 21:28–29, where the owner of a dangerous ox is held accountable for negligence. Together these ordinances teach that love of neighbor demands proactive care, not mere reaction after harm occurs. Theological Reflection: Loving One’s Neighbor By commanding a parapet, the Lord codifies the second great commandment (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39). The builder must foresee possible harm and act before tragedy strikes. This anticipatory love is echoed in Romans 13:10: “Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Ministry and Discipleship Implications 1. Personal Stewardship: Believers honor God when their homes, workplaces, and gatherings are safe environments. Typological and Christological Hints The parapet, as a protective boundary, prefigures the mediatorial work of Christ who shields believers from ultimate judgment (John 10:27–28). Just as the parapet prevents a fall that brings bloodguilt, so the Savior prevents the fall that brings eternal death. New Testament Resonance Although the term itself is absent, its principle surfaces whenever Scripture calls for intentional care of weaker members: “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up” (Romans 15:2), and “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God” (Hebrews 12:15). Contemporary Application Modern believers may seldom construct flat-roof parapets, yet the mandate presses upon every sphere—digital safeguards for children, accountability structures in ministry, ethical oversight in business. Whenever foresight is exercised to prevent harm, the spirit of מַעֲקֶה lives on. Summary Strong’s Hebrew 4624 teaches that genuine obedience to God engages practical concern for human safety. The single verse in Deuteronomy broadens into a comprehensive vision: love anticipates peril, builds protective measures, and so upholds both the sanctity of life and the honor of the Lord who values it. Forms and Transliterations מַעֲקֶ֖ה מעקה ma‘ăqeh ma·‘ă·qeh maaKehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 22:8 HEB: חָדָ֔שׁ וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ מַעֲקֶ֖ה לְגַגֶּ֑ךָ וְלֹֽא־ NAS: you shall make a parapet for your roof, KJV: then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, INT: A new shall make A parapet your roof you will not 1 Occurrence |
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