A parapet, in biblical terms, refers to a protective wall or barrier erected along the edge of a roof, balcony, or elevated structure. The concept of a parapet is primarily derived from ancient architectural practices in the Near East, where flat-roofed houses were common. These roofs were often used as additional living spaces, making safety measures like parapets necessary to prevent accidental falls.

Biblical Reference:

The primary biblical reference to a parapet is found in the book of Deuteronomy, where it is mentioned as part of the Mosaic Law. Deuteronomy 22:8 states: "When you build a new house, you must construct a parapet around your roof, so that you will not bring bloodguilt on your house if someone falls from it." This commandment underscores the importance of personal responsibility and community safety within the Israelite society. The requirement to build a parapet reflects a broader biblical principle of caring for one's neighbor and preventing harm.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, houses typically featured flat roofs made of beams covered with branches and clay. These roofs served various purposes, including storage, drying produce, and as a place for relaxation and social gatherings. Given the multifunctional use of rooftops, the construction of a parapet was a practical safety measure. The law in Deuteronomy highlights the value placed on human life and the proactive steps required to protect it.

Theological Implications:

The instruction to build a parapet can be seen as an extension of the commandment to love one's neighbor (Leviticus 19:18). It emphasizes the moral obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of others, reflecting God's concern for human life and community harmony. The parapet serves as a tangible expression of the biblical principle of stewardship, where individuals are called to act responsibly and consider the potential consequences of their actions on others.

Symbolic Interpretations:

Beyond its practical application, the parapet can also be viewed symbolically. It represents the boundaries and safeguards that God establishes for His people. Just as a parapet provides physical protection, God's laws and commandments offer spiritual and moral guidance, helping believers navigate the challenges of life while avoiding spiritual pitfalls.

Application in Christian Life:

In contemporary Christian thought, the principle behind the parapet can be applied to various aspects of life. Believers are encouraged to create "parapets" in their personal and communal lives—establishing boundaries and safeguards to protect themselves and others from harm. This can include fostering safe environments in homes, churches, and communities, as well as being mindful of the impact of one's actions on others.

The concept of the parapet serves as a reminder of the call to live responsibly and lovingly, ensuring that our actions reflect the care and concern that God has for all His creation.1. (n.) A low wall, especially one serving to protect the edge of a platform, roof, bridge, or the like.

2. (n.) A wall, rampart, or elevation of earth, for covering soldiers from an enemy's fire; a breastwork

4419. pterugion -- a little wing, hence (anything like a wing) a ...
... Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: pterugion Phonetic Spelling:
(pter-oog'-ee-on) Short Definition: an extremity, battlement, parapet Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4419.htm - 6k4624. maaqeh -- a parapet
... 4623, 4624. maaqeh. 4625 . a parapet. Transliteration: maaqeh Phonetic
Spelling: (mah-ak-eh') Short Definition: parapet. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/4624.htm - 5k

Description of Pilate's Palace and the Adjacent Buildings.
... A parapet, and an entrance at the north, south, east, and west sides alone broke
the uniformity of this part of the market-place, which was called the forum ...
/.../chapter xvi description of pilates.htm

Rachel's Refuge
... CHAPTER XXXII RACHEL'S REFUGE. Rachel stood by the parapet on the top of the Memphian
house of Har-hat. ... She leaned over the parapet and called the ape. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxii rachels refuge.htm

The Work is Taken up after a violent Interruption, which Has ...
... laws we believe that He does enrich us; He will supply what is necessary so that
we shall get on with our building, and shall even come to the parapet of the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/1 the work is taken.htm

The Conspiracy
... CHAPTER XXXI THE CONSPIRACY. One morning early in March Seti stood beside
the parapet on the palace of the king in Tanis. His eyes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxi the conspiracy.htm

Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum.
... roof. The roofs are invariably flat, and are surrounded by a breastwork
or parapet to keep those on them from falling off. Roofs ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxv jesus heals a paralytic.htm

Chapter twenty-two
... Several persons were crossing the bridge, but in one of the recesses about midway
of the river a woman stood, leaning out over the parapet, with a strained ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-two.htm

Useful Phrases
... arbitrarily imposed. arch conspirator. arched embrasure [embrasure = flared opening
for a gun in a wall or parapet]. archeological pursuits. architectural grandeur ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section i useful phrases.htm

The Song of Two Cities
... it. A parapet on an Alpine road gives no real security, but only satisfies
imagination. The sky needs no pillars to hold it up. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the song of two cities.htm

Jesus at the Well of Sychar
... be a long and toilsome day's journey thither on a summer day, and we can understand
how, at its end, Jesus would rest weary on the low parapet which enclosed ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii jesus at the.htm

Isaiah's Prophecies Considered the virginity of Christ's Mother a ...
... sound the alarm of war not with a trumpet, but with a little rattle; might be about
to seek His foe, not on horseback, or in chariot, or from parapet, but from ...
/.../chapter xiii isaiahs prophecies considered the.htm

Parapet (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A wall, rampart, or elevation of earth, for covering soldiers from an enemy's
fire; a breastwork. Multi-Version Concordance Parapet (3 Occurrences). ...
/p/parapet.htm - 7k

Battlement (2 Occurrences)
... A parapet wall or balustrade surrounding the flat roofs of the houses, required
to be built by a special law (Deuteronomy 22:8). In Jeremiah 5:10, it denotes ...
/b/battlement.htm - 8k

Assur (2 Occurrences)
... Along the outer upper edge was a parapet, protected by battlements. From
the floor of the parapet small holes were bored vertically ...
/a/assur.htm - 13k

Asshur (133 Occurrences)
... Along the outer upper edge was a parapet, protected by battlements. From
the floor of the parapet small holes were bored vertically ...
/a/asshur.htm - 46k

Sherghat
... Along the outer upper edge was a parapet, protected by battlements. From
the floor of the parapet small holes were bored vertically ...
/s/sherghat.htm - 12k

Parbar (1 Occurrence)

/p/parbar.htm - 8k

Paran (11 Occurrences)

/p/paran.htm - 13k

Lattice (6 Occurrences)
... The flat roofs of the houses were sometimes enclosed with a parapet of lattice-work
on wooden frames, to screen the women of the house from the gaze of the ...
/l/lattice.htm - 9k

Flank (3 Occurrences)
... the face, and defends the curtain, the flank and face of the opposite bastion; any
part of a work defending another by a fire along the outside of its parapet. ...
/f/flank.htm - 8k

Fort (8 Occurrences)
... (n.) A strong or fortified place; usually, a small fortified place, occupied only
by troops, surrounded with a ditch, rampart, and parapet, or with palisades ...
/f/fort.htm - 41k

Parapet: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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