In biblical architecture and construction, the term "rafter" refers to the structural components that support the roof of a building. Rafters are typically sloped beams that extend from the ridge or peak of the roof down to the eaves, providing the necessary framework to hold up the roofing material. While the Bible does not frequently mention rafters explicitly, the concept is integral to the construction practices of ancient times, as seen in various scriptural references to building and architecture.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Kings 6:9 : "So Solomon built the temple and finished it, roofing it with beams and planks of cedar." This verse highlights the use of cedar beams in the construction of Solomon's Temple, indicating the importance of sturdy and reliable materials for the rafters and overall roofing structure.

2. Song of Solomon 1:17 : "The beams of our house are cedars; our rafters are cypresses." In this poetic expression, the strength and beauty of the house are emphasized through the use of cedar and cypress, both valued for their durability and aromatic qualities. The mention of rafters here underscores their role in the stability and aesthetic of the dwelling.

3. Habakkuk 2:11 : "For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the beam from the rafters will answer it." This verse metaphorically speaks to the integrity and witness of the building materials themselves, suggesting that even the rafters have a voice in proclaiming the truth.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, the construction of homes and significant buildings like the Temple required careful selection of materials. Cedar and cypress were particularly prized for their resistance to decay and insects, making them ideal for use in rafters. The choice of wood not only provided structural integrity but also conveyed a sense of permanence and divine blessing.

Rafters were essential in the construction of both simple homes and grand edifices. They were typically crafted from long, straight logs or beams, which were then laid at an angle to form the roof's pitch. This design allowed for effective water runoff and protection from the elements, crucial in the varied climate of the region.

Symbolic Significance:

In a symbolic sense, rafters can represent the support and protection provided by God to His people. Just as rafters uphold the roof and shelter the inhabitants, so does God's providence uphold and shelter His followers. The use of strong, enduring materials like cedar and cypress in rafters can also symbolize the strength and faithfulness of God's promises.

Theological Implications:

The construction of buildings, particularly the Temple, holds deep theological significance in the Bible. The use of rafters in these structures can be seen as a reflection of God's order and design. The meticulous care in selecting and placing each rafter mirrors the care God takes in building His spiritual house, the Church, with each believer as a living stone (1 Peter 2:5).

In summary, while the Bible does not extensively detail the role of rafters, their presence in scriptural references to construction highlights their importance in ancient building practices. Rafters serve as a reminder of the strength, protection, and divine order that God provides to His people.1. (n.) A raftsman.

2. (n.) Originally, any rough and somewhat heavy piece of timber. Now, commonly, one of the timbers of a roof which are put on sloping, according to the inclination of the roof.

3. (v. t.) To make into rafters, as timber.

4. (v. t.) To furnish with rafters, as a house.

5. (v. t.) To plow so as to turn the grass side of each furrow upon an unplowed ridge; to ridge.

RAFTER

raf'-ter (Songs 1:17).

See GALLERY; HOUSE.

1385. dokos -- a beam of timber
... 1385 -- a large beam (joist) of wood; "" () a log on which planks in the house rest
(as in the papyri); joist, rafter, plank (Moffatt); a pole sticking out ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1385.htm - 7k3714. kaphis -- a rafter, girder
... 3713b, 3714. kaphis. 3715 . a rafter, girder. Transliteration: kaphis
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-fece') Short Definition: rafter. Word ...
/hebrew/3714.htm - 5k

6982. qorah -- a rafter, beam
... 6981, 6982. qorah. 6983 . a rafter, beam. Transliteration: qorah Phonetic
Spelling: (ko-raw') Short Definition: beam. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6982.htm - 6k

1356b. geb -- a beam, rafter
... geb. 1357 . a beam, rafter. Transliteration: geb Short Definition: beams. Word
Origin from gub Definition a beam, rafter NASB Word Usage beams (1). ...
/hebrew/1356b.htm - 5k

7351. rahit -- perhaps rafters, boards
... rafter. From the same as rahat; a panel (as resembling a trough) -- rafter. see
HEBREW rahat. 7350, 7351. rahit. 7352 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7351.htm - 6k

The Mote and the Beam
... A mote means in the Greek a little splinter, whereas a beam means a rafter.
And the Lord Jesus means by this comparison to tell ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 7 the mote and.htm

The Weird Lady
... Earl Harold came to his castle wall; The gate was burnt with fire; Roof and rafter
were fallen down, The folk were strangers all in the town, And strangers all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the weird lady.htm

November 22. "Cast the Beam Out of Thine Own Eye" (Matt. vii. 5).
... Very significantly does the Master say that the man that sees a mote in
his brother's eye, usually has a rafter in his own eye! ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /november 22 cast the beam.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... Jesus graphically and grotesquely represents a man with a log, or rafter, in his
eye trying to take a chip or splinter out of his neighbor's eye. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 7.htm

Memento Mori
... us to and fro. There was not a pillar that stood firm. There was not a beam
or rafter that did not quiver. We said, in the bitterness ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/memento mori.htm

Rafter (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RAFTER. raf'-ter (Songs 1:17). See GALLERY;
HOUSE. Multi-Version Concordance Rafter (1 Occurrence). ...
/r/rafter.htm - 7k

Beam (17 Occurrences)
... In 1 Samuel 17:7, it means a weaver's frame or principal beam; in Habakkuk 2:11,
a crossbeam or girder; 2 Kings 6:2, 5, a cross-piece or rafter of a house; 1 ...
/b/beam.htm - 17k

Heel (8 Occurrences)
... 13. (n.) The lower end of a timber in a frame, as a post or rafter. In the United
States, specif., the obtuse angle of the lower end of a rafter set sloping. ...
/h/heel.htm - 12k

Yard (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A rod; a stick; a staff. 2. (n.) A branch;
a twig. 3. (n.) A long piece of timber, as a rafter, etc. ...
/y/yard.htm - 10k

Rafters (5 Occurrences)

/r/rafters.htm - 7k

Raft

/r/raft.htm - 7k

Spur (3 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) A brace strengthening a post and some connected part, as a rafter or crossbeam;
a strut. 11. (n.) The short wooden buttress of a post. 12. ...
/s/spur.htm - 9k

Shoe (13 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) An inclined trough in an ore-crushing mill. 10. (n.) An iron socket
or plate to take the thrust of a strut or rafter. 11. ...
/s/shoe.htm - 18k

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