Migdal, a term meaning "tower" in Hebrew, appears in several contexts within the biblical narrative. It is used both as a common noun and as a proper noun, referring to specific locations. The term signifies strength, fortification, and watchfulness, reflecting its architectural purpose in ancient times.

1. Migdal as a Common Noun:
The word "migdal" is often used to describe a tower or fortified structure. In the context of ancient Israel, towers were significant for defense and surveillance. They were strategically placed to provide a vantage point over the surrounding area, often serving as watchtowers or part of city fortifications. The concept of a tower is also metaphorically used in Scripture to denote strength and protection, as seen in Proverbs 18:10: "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

2. Migdal as a Proper Noun:
Several locations named Migdal are mentioned in the Bible, each with its own historical and geographical significance.

· Migdal Eder: This location, meaning "Tower of the Flock," is mentioned in Genesis 35:21, where Jacob pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder after the death of Rachel. It is traditionally associated with the area near Bethlehem, and some scholars suggest it may have been a place where shepherds watched over their flocks.

· Migdal-el: Found in the territory of Naphtali, Migdal-el is listed among the fortified cities in Joshua 19:38. Its exact location is uncertain, but it is believed to have been situated in the northern part of ancient Israel.

· Migdal-gad: Mentioned in the allotment of land to the tribe of Judah in Joshua 15:37, Migdal-gad's precise location remains unidentified. The name suggests a place of fortune or a tower of fortune, possibly indicating a site of strategic or economic importance.

· Migdal (Magdala): In the New Testament, Migdal is often identified with Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene. Located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, Magdala was a significant fishing town during the time of Jesus. It is mentioned indirectly in the Gospels, as Mary Magdalene is frequently identified by her association with this town (e.g., Luke 8:2).

3. Symbolic and Theological Significance:
The concept of a tower in biblical literature often carries symbolic weight. Towers represent human ambition and pride, as seen in the account of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), where humanity's attempt to build a tower to the heavens results in divine intervention and the scattering of peoples. Conversely, towers also symbolize divine protection and refuge, as in the aforementioned Proverbs 18:10.

In summary, Migdal serves as a multifaceted term within the biblical text, encompassing both literal and metaphorical meanings. Its references to specific locations highlight the historical and geographical context of ancient Israel, while its symbolic use underscores themes of strength, protection, and the human-divine relationship.3093. Magadan -- Magadan, an unidentified place near the Sea of ...
... Magdala. Of Chaldee origin (compare migdal); the tower; Magdala (ie Migdala), a
place in Palestine -- Magdala. see HEBREW migdal. (magadan) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3093.htm - 6k4028. Migdal-gad -- "tower of Gad," a city in Judah
Migdal-gad. 4027, 4028. Migdal-gad. 4029 . "tower of Gad," a city in Judah.
Transliteration: Migdal-gad Phonetic Spelling: (migdal ...
/hebrew/4028.htm - 6k

4027. Migdal-el -- "tower of God," a stronghold in Naphtali
Migdal-el. 4026, 4027. Migdal-el. 4028 . "tower of God," a stronghold
in Naphtali. Transliteration: Migdal-el Phonetic Spelling ...
/hebrew/4027.htm - 6k

4029. Migdal-eder -- "flock tower," a tower near Bethlehem
Migdal-eder. 4028, 4029. Migdal-eder. 4030 . "flock tower," a tower near
Bethlehem. Transliteration: Migdal-eder Phonetic Spelling ...
/hebrew/4029.htm - 6k

4026. migdal -- a tower
migdal or migdalah. 4025, 4026. migdal or migdalah. 4027 . a tower.
Transliteration: migdal or migdalah Phonetic Spelling: (mig ...
/hebrew/4026.htm - 6k

Divers Matters.
... Mention is made of Migdal Zabaaia (a word of the same etymology), in that notable
story: "Three cities were laid waste; Chabul for discord: Shichin for magical ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 55 divers matters.htm

The Nativity of Jesus the Messiah.
... Equally so was the belief, that He was to be revealed from Migdal Eder, the tower
of the flock.' [950] This Migdal Eder was not the watchtower for the ordinary ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the nativity of.htm

In Judaea
... In Jewish writings it bears the same name by which we know it, though at times it
is designated after its fortifications (Migdal Shur, M. Zor, M. Nassi), or ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
... On this "bima" stood the pulpit, or rather lectern, the "migdal ez," "wooden tower"
of Nehemiah 8:4, whence the prescribed portions of the law and of the ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 16 synagogues their origin.htm

Return of the Apostles. --Miraculous Feeding of the Five Thousand. ...
... accounts that place the site near Tiberias; but not so well with the one quoted
above, namely, that it was near Gadara, out cannot the Migdal Gadar, therein ...
/.../section 176 return of the.htm

Index i. Of Subjects
... Midrash, the, origin of, i.11, 21; subject of, 94, 102. Migdal Eder, prophecy
concerning, i.186, 187. Minim, Siphrey, i.23, 33. Miracles ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/index i of subjects.htm

And ii.
... the flock is not a tower which stands near the Sheep-gate, but a tower which is
erected for the protection of the flock, as is clearly seen from Migdal Eder in ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Migdal (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Migdal (3 Occurrences). Genesis 35:21 And Israel journeyed,
and spread his tent on the other side of Migdal-Eder. (DBY JPS NIV). ...
/m/migdal.htm - 7k

Migdal-el (1 Occurrence)
Migdal-el. Migdalel, Migdal-el. Mig'dal-el . Easton's Bible Dictionary
Tower of ... qv). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MIGDAL-EL. mig ...
/m/migdal-el.htm - 7k

Migdal-eder (2 Occurrences)
Migdal-eder. Migdaleder, Migdal-eder. Migdalel . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MIGDAL-EDER. mig-dal-e-der. See EDER. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/m/migdal-eder.htm - 7k

Migdal-gad (1 Occurrence)
Migdal-gad. Migdalgad, Migdal-gad. Mig'dal-gad . Easton's Bible Dictionary
Tower ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MIGDAL-GAD. mig ...
/m/migdal-gad.htm - 8k

Migdal-Edar
Migdal-Edar. MigdalEdar, Migdal-Edar. Migdaleder . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
(see EDAR.). MigdalEdar, Migdal-Edar. Migdaleder . Reference Bible.
/m/migdal-edar.htm - 6k

Eder (6 Occurrences)
... far west. (2) Eder (the King James Version Edar) or better Migdal Eder, mighdal
`edher, "the tower of the flock"; Gader. After Rachel ...
/e/eder.htm - 10k

Migdalgad (1 Occurrence)
... north-east of Ascalon (Joshua 15:37). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MIGDAL-GAD. mig'-dal-gad (mighdalgadh, "tower of Gad"): One ...
/m/migdalgad.htm - 8k

Migdalel (1 Occurrence)
... Tower of God, a fortified city of Naphtali (Joshua 19:38), supposed by some to be
identical with Magdala (qv). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MIGDAL-EL. ...
/m/migdalel.htm - 7k

Mig'dal-gad (1 Occurrence)
Mig'dal-gad. Migdal-gad, Mig'dal-gad. Migdol . ... Mig'dal-gad (1 Occurrence).
Joshua 15:37 Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdal-gad; (See RSV). ...
/m/mig'dal-gad.htm - 6k

Mig'dal-el (1 Occurrence)
... Migdal-el, Mig'dal-el. Migdalgad . ... Joshua 19:38 and Iron, and Migdal-el, and
Horem, and Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages. ...
/m/mig'dal-el.htm - 6k

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