Galleries
Jump to: Webster'sConcordanceThesaurusHebrewLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical contexts, the term "galleries" is often associated with architectural features, particularly in the context of ancient structures and temples. The word appears in the Bible in a few specific instances, primarily in the poetic and prophetic books, where it is used to describe elements of beauty and grandeur.

Biblical References:

1. Song of Solomon 7:5 · In this poetic book, the term "galleries" is used metaphorically to describe the beauty and elegance of the beloved. The verse states, "Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel, the hair of your head like royal tapestry; the king is captivated by your tresses." Here, the imagery of "royal tapestry" can be understood as akin to galleries, suggesting a sense of splendor and intricate design.

2. Ezekiel 41:15-16 · In the vision of the temple described by the prophet Ezekiel, galleries are mentioned as part of the detailed architectural description. The passage reads, "Then he measured the length of the building facing the courtyard at the rear, with its galleries on each side, a hundred cubits. The interior of the outer sanctuary and the porches of the court, as well as the thresholds and the narrow windows and the galleries around the three of them, were paneled with wood all around, from the ground to the windows (the windows were covered)." This description highlights the galleries as integral parts of the temple's structure, contributing to its majesty and function.

Architectural Significance:

In ancient Near Eastern architecture, galleries were often elevated walkways or balconies that provided access to different parts of a building or offered a vantage point for viewing. They were typically supported by columns or arches and could be found in both secular and sacred structures. In the context of the temple, galleries would have served both practical and aesthetic purposes, allowing for movement and enhancing the visual impact of the space.

Symbolic Meaning:

The use of galleries in biblical literature often carries symbolic connotations of beauty, order, and divine craftsmanship. In the Song of Solomon, the metaphorical use of galleries underscores the theme of love and admiration, while in Ezekiel, the detailed description of the temple's galleries reflects the glory and holiness of God's dwelling place.

Cultural Context:

Understanding the concept of galleries in the Bible requires an appreciation of the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel and its surrounding regions. Architectural features like galleries were common in the grand buildings of the time, including palaces and temples, and their inclusion in biblical descriptions serves to convey a sense of the divine order and beauty inherent in God's creation and His places of worship.

In summary, galleries in the Bible are more than mere architectural elements; they are imbued with rich symbolism and contribute to the overarching themes of beauty, order, and divine presence found throughout the Scriptures.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) Plural of Gallery.
Strong's Hebrew
863b. attiq -- a gallery, porch
... 863a, 863b. attiq. 864 . a gallery, porch. Transliteration: attiq Short
Definition: galleries. Word Origin from the same as attuq ...
/hebrew/863b.htm - 5k
Library

The First Bible Pictures
... We shall see. A few miles from the city of Rome, deep, deep underground, are those
wonderful networks of galleries and chambers called 'The Catacombs.'. ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter xiii the first bible.htm

Pagan Shrines and Temples.
... Ancient temples as galleries of art."The adornment of statues with jewelry,
etc."Offerings and sacrifices by individuals."Stores of ex-votos found in the ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter ii pagan shrines and.htm

Wesley at Sevenoaks
... in Lincoln College. I believe we were shown above thirty rooms, beside
the hall, the chapels, and three galleries. The pictures ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley at sevenoaks.htm

His Servants Shall Serve
... newspaper offices, the booksellers' counters; nothing that maketh a lie in its
warehouses, its manufactures, its shops, its art galleries, its advertisements. ...
/.../his servants shall serve.htm

What was Heard in the Basilica of Peace
... The galleries spread out along the side aisles. The floor was in mosaic. ... Some matrons,
rather overdressed, lean forward in the front rank of the galleries. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii what was heard in.htm

Travel. A Personal Experience.
... One who has traveled much says that "the average company of American tourists goes
through the Art Galleries of Europe like a drove of cattle through the lanes ...
/.../ix travel a personal experience.htm

The First Theban Empire
... The pioneers were kept at a distance by the brave, but if a breach were made in
that, the small flanking galleries fixed outside the battlements enabled the ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

Set Square and Dark against the Pale Blue of the Italian Sky the ...
... "A month's work will be enough now," she replied, looking up quickly""And then"".
"Then it will remain in one of the galleries unsold!" said Sovrani, with a ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/xix set square and dark.htm

Westminster Abbey.
... See the British Museum, its marbles and its manuscripts"See the French Cathedrals;
the ruins of Provence and Italy; the galleries of Florence, Naples, Rome.'. ...
/.../kingsley/lectures delivered in america in 1874/lecture i westminster abbey.htm

Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation
... To begin with, we must look well to our faith. May I pass the question round these
galleries, and put it to you also in this vast area? Have you faith? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 36 1890/noahs faith fear obedience and.htm

Thesaurus
Galleries (4 Occurrences)
...Galleries (4 Occurrences). Song of Songs 7:5 Thine head upon thee is like Carmel,
and the hair of thine head like purple; the king is held in the galleries. ...
/g/galleries.htm - 7k

Gallery (2 Occurrences)
... (2.) Hebrews rahit (Cant. 1:17), translated "rafters," marg. "galleries;" probably
panel-work or fretted ceiling. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/g/gallery.htm - 11k

Yard (8 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 41:15 He measured the length of the building before the separate place which
was at its back, and its galleries on the one side and on the other side ...
/y/yard.htm - 10k

Nave (19 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 41:15 He measured the length of the building before the separate place which
was at its back, and its galleries on the one side and on the other side ...
/n/nave.htm - 12k

Narrower (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 42:5 Now the upper chambers were shorter; for the galleries took away from
these, more than from the lower and the middle, in the building. ...
/n/narrower.htm - 7k

Galled (1 Occurrence)

/g/galled.htm - 6k

Well (2882 Occurrences)
... called the cockpit. 9. (n.) A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining,
from which run branches or galleries. 10. (n.) An opening ...
/w/well.htm - 39k

Floors (12 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Ezekiel 42:5 Now the upper chambers were shorter; for the galleries took
away from these, more than from the lower and the middle, in the building. ...
/f/floors.htm - 9k

Thresholds (11 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 41:16 the thresholds, and the closed windows, and the galleries around on
their three stories, over against the threshold, with wood ceilings all around ...
/t/thresholds.htm - 10k

Resources
What was early Christianity like? | GotQuestions.org

Galleries: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Galleries (4 Occurrences)

Song of Songs 7:5
Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple; the king is held in the galleries.
(KJV WBS)

Ezekiel 41:15
He measured the length of the building before the separate place which was at its back, and its galleries on the one side and on the other side, one hundred cubits; and the inner temple, and the porches of the court;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NIV)

Ezekiel 41:16
the thresholds, and the closed windows, and the galleries around on their three stories, over against the threshold, with wood ceilings all around, and from the ground up to the windows, (now the windows were covered),
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Ezekiel 42:5
Now the upper chambers were shorter; for the galleries took away from these, more than from the lower and the middle, in the building.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Galleries

Galleries in the Temple of Ezekiel's Vision

Related Terms

Gallery (2 Occurrences)

Yard (8 Occurrences)

Nave (19 Occurrences)

Narrower (3 Occurrences)

Galled (1 Occurrence)

Well (2882 Occurrences)

Floors (12 Occurrences)

Thresholds (11 Occurrences)

Rome (12 Occurrences)

Encroached (1 Occurrence)

Dwellings (54 Occurrences)

Middle-most (2 Occurrences)

Middlemost (2 Occurrences)

Porches (13 Occurrences)

Ceilings (1 Occurrence)

Cells (24 Occurrences)

Smaller (16 Occurrences)

Shorter (4 Occurrences)

Including (90 Occurrences)

Contain (19 Occurrences)

Windows (27 Occurrences)

Narrow (21 Occurrences)

Stories (30 Occurrences)

Vestibule (36 Occurrences)

Threshold (28 Occurrences)

Portico (37 Occurrences)

Closed (47 Occurrences)

Rear (46 Occurrences)

Hinder (47 Occurrences)

Courtyard (59 Occurrences)

Chambers (68 Occurrences)

Facing (79 Occurrences)

Measured (91 Occurrences)

Lower (72 Occurrences)

Floor (69 Occurrences)

Upper (99 Occurrences)

West (110 Occurrences)

Higher (73 Occurrences)

Archaeology

Minor (2 Occurrences)

Asia (22 Occurrences)

Temple (614 Occurrences)

Galled
Top of Page
Top of Page