In the biblical narrative, buildings serve as significant symbols and functional structures, reflecting both the spiritual and cultural dimensions of ancient societies. From the construction of altars to the grandeur of Solomon's Temple, buildings in the Bible often represent the intersection of divine presence and human endeavor.

Altars and Early Structures

The earliest references to buildings in the Bible often involve altars, which were simple structures made of earth or uncut stones. These altars were places of worship and sacrifice, marking significant encounters with God. For instance, Noah built an altar to the Lord after the flood (Genesis 8:20), and Abraham constructed altars at various locations as he journeyed through the land promised to him (Genesis 12:7-8; 13:18).

The Tabernacle

The Tabernacle, described in detail in the book of Exodus, was a portable sanctuary that served as the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. Its construction was commanded by God and executed with precision, as outlined in Exodus 25-31. The Tabernacle was a tent-like structure with an outer court, a Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. It symbolized God's presence and guidance.

Solomon's Temple

One of the most significant buildings in the Bible is Solomon's Temple, also known as the First Temple. Constructed in Jerusalem, it was the permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and the center of Israelite worship. The building of the Temple is detailed in 1 Kings 6-7 and 2 Chronicles 3-4. Solomon's Temple was renowned for its grandeur and intricate design, reflecting the glory of God and the prosperity of Solomon's reign. The Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC, marking a pivotal moment in Israel's history.

The Second Temple

After the Babylonian exile, the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the Temple, known as the Second Temple. This construction was encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah and completed under the leadership of Zerubbabel (Ezra 3-6). Although less magnificent than Solomon's Temple, the Second Temple was central to Jewish worship until its destruction by the Romans in AD 70.

City Walls and Fortifications

Buildings in the Bible also include city walls and fortifications, which were crucial for protection and defense. The walls of Jericho, famously brought down by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership (Joshua 6), and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3-6) are notable examples. These structures not only provided physical security but also symbolized the strength and resilience of God's people.

Houses and Domestic Structures

The Bible provides glimpses into domestic architecture, reflecting the daily lives of its characters. Houses were typically simple, constructed from materials like mud bricks or stone. The account of the widow of Zarephath, who hosted the prophet Elijah in her home (1 Kings 17:8-24), and the account of the Shunammite woman who prepared a room for Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-10) illustrate the hospitality and community life centered around these dwellings.

Symbolic and Eschatological Buildings

In the New Testament, buildings take on symbolic and eschatological significance. Jesus refers to Himself as the cornerstone (Matthew 21:42), and believers are described as living stones being built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). The vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 presents a city with no temple, for "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" (Revelation 21:22), signifying the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence with His people.

Throughout the Bible, buildings are more than mere physical structures; they are imbued with spiritual meaning, reflecting the relationship between God and humanity.40. hagios -- sacred, holy
... The fundamental (core) meaning of 40 () is "different" -- thus a temple in the 1st
century was ("holy") because from other buildings (Wm. Barclay). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/40.htm - 8k

4999. taberne -- "hut," a tavern, spec. Treis Tabernai, "Three ...
... taverns. Plural of Latin origin; huts or wooden-walled buildings; Tabernoe -- taverns.
(tabernon) -- 1 Occurrence. 4998, 4999. taberne. 5000 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4999.htm - 6k

3619. oikodome -- (the act of) building, a building
... Word Origin from oikos and the same as doma Definition (the act of) building, a
building NASB Word Usage building (8), buildings (3), edification (5), edifying ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3619.htm - 7k

7152. Qeriyyoth -- a city in Judah, also a city in Moab
... Kerioth, Kirioth. Plural of qiryah; buildings; Kerioth, the name of two places in
Palestine -- Kerioth, Kirioth. see HEBREW qiryah. 7151, 7152. ...
/hebrew/7152.htm - 6k

759. armon -- a citadel
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a citadel NASB Word Usage castle
(1), citadel (2), citadels (13), fortified buildings (1), fortified towers (1 ...
/hebrew/759.htm - 6k

1004. bayith -- a house
... root Definition a house NASB Word Usage armory* (1), beneath (1), Beth-ashbea*
(1), Beth-togarmah* (2), between* (2), boxes (1), buildings (2), daughter (1 ...
/hebrew/1004.htm - 7k

The Buildings of More Eminent Note in Sion.
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 21-30 Chapter 23 The buildings of more
eminent note in Sion. We shall first take knowledge of ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 23 the buildings of.htm

Some Buildings in Acra. Bezeiha. Millo.
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 21-30 Chapter 24 Some buildings in
Acra. Bezeiha. Millo. Mount Sion did not thrust itself so ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 24 some buildings in.htm

Description of Pilate's Palace and the Adjacent Buildings.
... CHAPTER XVI. Description of Pilate's Palace and the adjacent Buildings.
The palace of the Roman governor, Pilate, was built on the ...
/.../chapter xvi description of pilates.htm

For it Would, Indeed, be Absurd that Certain Stones and Buildings ...
... Chapter LIX. For it would, indeed, be absurd that certain stones and
buildings should be regarded as? For it would, indeed, be ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lix for it would.htm

Temples Built by Constantine the Great; the City Called by his ...
... Chapter III."Temples built by Constantine the Great; the City called by his Name;
its Founding; the Buildings within it; the Temple of Michael the Archsoldier ...
/.../chapter iii temples built by constantine.htm

Things Perishing and Things Stable
... "And as He went forth out of the temple, one of His disciples saith unto Him, Master,
behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings! ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 13 1-7 things perishing and.htm

Letter xvi. --To Amphilochius.
... The junctions of the buildings intercept one another, as we see everywhere
in the cruciform pattern. But within the cross there ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter xvi to amphilochius.htm

The African Rome
... Beside the sea, in the lower town and upon the two near hills of the Acropolis,
were a number of detached buildings that the old authors have preserved the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the african rome.htm

Hugh the Builder
... The first buildings of wood were overthrown in 1126 by an avalanche, and Guigo,
the fifth prior, had refounded the whole buildings after that date. ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter viii hugh the builder.htm

Building for Community Service
... social and recreational life of the church introduces standards and objectives that
do not find expression in the great majority of church buildings now erected ...
/.../vogt/church cooperation in community life/chapter v building for community.htm

Buildings (28 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Buildings (28 Occurrences). Matthew ... way. His disciples
came to him to show him the buildings of the temple. ...
/b/buildings.htm - 14k

Building (249 Occurrences)
... Exile (Ezra 3:7). In Genesis 11:3, 9, we have the first recorded instance
of the erection of buildings. The cities of the plain ...
/b/building.htm - 47k

Architecture
... of various gods or saints, to whose glory great and separate buildings might be
raised. ... Their most important buildings were their fortifications. ...
/a/architecture.htm - 28k

Beam (17 Occurrences)
... 6:9), tsela`, "a rib" (1 Kings 7:3), qurah (2 Chronicles 3:7; 2 Chronicles 34:11
Songs 1:17), all refer to constructional beams used in buildings for roofing ...
/b/beam.htm - 17k

Smyrna (2 Occurrences)
... every period are found. It was celebrated for its schools of science and
medicine, and for its handsome buildings. Among them was ...
/s/smyrna.htm - 12k

Sanctuary (250 Occurrences)
... TEMPLE. kort, sank'-tu-a-ri: By "court" (chatser) is meant a clear space
enclosed by curtains or walls, or surrounded by buildings. ...
/s/sanctuary.htm - 63k

Court (172 Occurrences)
... TEMPLE. kort, sank'-tu-a-ri: By "court" (chatser) is meant a clear space
enclosed by curtains or walls, or surrounded by buildings. ...
/c/court.htm - 47k

Inn (7 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) One of the colleges (societies or buildings) in London, for students of
the law barristers; as, the Inns of Court; the Inns of Chancery; Serjeants' Inns ...
/i/inn.htm - 17k

Prisoner (87 Occurrences)
... The term used, namely, cohar, means perhaps "round house" or "tower." It seems probable
that among the Hebrews there were no special buildings erected as "jails ...
/p/prisoner.htm - 42k

Build (242 Occurrences)
... 2. Masonry: In stone localities buildings were of stone, but the class
of building was only that of the rude stone waller. Random ...
/b/build.htm - 45k

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