Topical Encyclopedia Migdal-eder, meaning "Tower of the Flock" in Hebrew, is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Genesis. It is traditionally associated with the region near Bethlehem, a significant area in biblical history.Biblical References: The primary reference to Migdal-eder is found in Genesis 35:21: "Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder." . This passage occurs after the death of Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife, and the birth of Benjamin. Jacob, also known as Israel, is journeying back to his father Isaac in Hebron. The mention of Migdal-eder in this context suggests it was a known landmark or location during the patriarchal period. Historical and Geographical Context: Migdal-eder is traditionally identified with a site near Bethlehem, which is approximately five miles south of Jerusalem. The area is historically pastoral, known for its fields and shepherds. This aligns with the meaning of Migdal-eder as "Tower of the Flock," suggesting it may have been a watchtower used by shepherds to oversee their flocks. Theological Significance: In Jewish tradition, Migdal-eder holds messianic significance. The Targum Jonathan, an ancient Aramaic paraphrase of the Hebrew Bible, suggests that the Messiah would be revealed from Migdal-eder. This tradition is rooted in the prophecy of Micah 4:8, which states, "As for you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem." . This verse is often interpreted as a messianic prophecy, linking Migdal-eder to the coming of a future king. Connection to the Birth of Jesus: Christian tradition also associates Migdal-eder with the birth of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Luke describes the announcement of Jesus' birth to shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem (Luke 2:8-12). Some scholars and theologians propose that these fields were in the vicinity of Migdal-eder, thus connecting the location with the nativity account. This connection is seen as a fulfillment of the messianic expectations tied to Migdal-eder, as Jesus is recognized as the Good Shepherd and the prophesied King. Cultural and Symbolic Interpretations: Migdal-eder symbolizes vigilance and protection, as a tower would provide a vantage point for watching over flocks. In a broader spiritual sense, it represents God's watchful care over His people, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. The imagery of shepherds and flocks is frequently used in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and His people, with God as the Shepherd guiding and protecting His flock. In summary, Migdal-eder is a significant biblical location with rich historical, theological, and symbolic meanings. Its mention in Genesis and its associations with messianic prophecies and the nativity account highlight its importance in biblical narrative and tradition. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia MIGDAL-EDERmig-dal-e-der. Strong's Hebrew 4029. Migdal-eder -- "flock tower," a tower near BethlehemMigdal-eder. 4028, 4029. Migdal-eder. 4030 . "flock tower," a tower near Bethlehem. Transliteration: Migdal-eder Phonetic Spelling ... /hebrew/4029.htm - 6k Library The Nativity of Jesus the Messiah. Chapter xxxv In Judaea Chapter xxxiv Index i. Of Subjects And ii. Thesaurus MigdalederMigdaleder. Migdal-Edar, Migdaleder. Migdal-eder . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ... See EDER. Migdal-Edar, Migdaleder. Migdal-eder . Reference Bible. /m/migdaleder.htm - 6k Migdal-eder (2 Occurrences) Eder (6 Occurrences) Migdal (3 Occurrences) Migdalel (1 Occurrence) Migdal-Edar Resources Where was Jesus born? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Star of David and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org Who was Jacob in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Migdal-eder (2 Occurrences)Genesis 35:21 Micah 4:8 Subtopics Related Terms |
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