In biblical architecture and symbolism, the term "sill" refers to the threshold or base of a doorway. It is a structural element that holds significance in various scriptural contexts, often symbolizing transition, entry, or the demarcation between the sacred and the profane.

Biblical References:

The concept of the sill is implicitly present in several passages, though the term itself may not always be explicitly mentioned. In the construction of the Temple and other sacred spaces, the threshold or sill would have been a critical component, representing the boundary between the outside world and the holy space within.

1. Ezekiel's Vision of the Temple:
In Ezekiel's detailed vision of the future Temple, the measurements and descriptions of doorways and thresholds are meticulously recorded. Ezekiel 41:16 states, "as well as the thresholds, the narrow windows, and the galleries around the three of them—everything was overlaid with wood." This passage highlights the importance of the threshold as part of the sacred architecture, emphasizing its role in the sanctity and separation of the holy space.

2. Passover and the Blood on the Doorposts:
While not directly mentioning the sill, the Passover narrative in Exodus 12:7 involves the application of lamb's blood on the doorposts and lintel of Hebrew homes. The threshold, or sill, would have been part of this doorway, symbolizing protection and divine deliverance as the Lord passed over the homes of the Israelites.

3. Judgment and the Threshold:
In Zephaniah 1:9 , the Lord declares, "On that day I will punish all who leap over the threshold, who fill the house of their master with violence and deceit." This passage uses the threshold as a metaphor for transgression and the crossing of boundaries, indicating a violation of divine order and justice.

Symbolic Significance:

The sill, as part of the threshold, carries rich symbolic meaning in biblical literature. It represents a point of transition and decision, where one moves from one state or place to another. In spiritual terms, crossing a threshold can symbolize entering into a covenant, a new phase of life, or a deeper relationship with God.

In the context of worship and the Temple, the threshold signifies the boundary between the secular and the sacred. It is a place of reverence, where one prepares to enter the presence of the Divine. The act of crossing the threshold into a holy space is often accompanied by rituals of purification and preparation, underscoring the importance of approaching God with humility and respect.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, thresholds were often considered sacred spaces. They were sometimes marked with inscriptions or symbols to ward off evil and invite divine protection. This cultural understanding is reflected in the biblical use of the threshold as a place of significance and power.

Overall, the sill or threshold in biblical texts serves as a powerful symbol of transition, protection, and the sacred boundary between the human and the divine.1. (n.) The basis or foundation of a thing; especially, a horizontal piece, as a timber, which forms the lower member of a frame, or supports a structure; as, the sills of a house, of a bridge, of a loom, and the like.

2. (n.) The timber or stone at the foot of a door; the threshold.

3. (n.) The timber or stone on which a window frame stands; or, the lowest piece in a window frame.

4. (n.) The floor of a gallery or passage in a mine.

5. (n.) A piece of timber across the bottom of a canal lock for the gates to shut against.

6. (n.) The shaft or thill of a carriage.

7. (n.) A young herring.

2376. thuris -- a window
... a window. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: thuris Phonetic Spelling:
(thoo-rece') Short Definition: a window-sill Definition: a small opening ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2376.htm - 6k5592b. saph -- threshold, sill
... 5592a, 5592b. saph. 5593 . threshold, sill. Transliteration: saph Short
Definition: threshold. Word Origin from the same as saph ...
/hebrew/5592b.htm - 5k

4670. miphtan -- threshold
... threshold. From the same as pethen; a stretcher, ie A sill -- threshold. see HEBREW
pethen. 4669, 4670. miphtan. 4671 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4670.htm - 6k

Off Duty
... Then I open the window very gently and they wait until I put some scraps
from my plate on the sill, and then they have such a feast. ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/xiv off duty.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... we were verily in the Tropics. You look out"would that you did look
in fact!"over the low sill. The gravel outside, at least ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

Narrow Escapes. Is Thrown from a Horse. Has Pneumonia. Nearly ...
... One day I was hauling heavy barn sills. They were swung under the hind axle,
and the pole was tied by a chain back around the sill. ...
/.../chapter x narrow escapes is.htm

The Strait Gate;
... Shall I be admitted into, or shut out from, that blessed kingdom? The openly profane
can have no hope. Are you a professor?"there is danger sill. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

A True Story
... Then Jack said, "If you would help me, Will,. I would climb up to the window sill,.
And through the hole I would call and say,. Jesus washes our sins away.'". ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen and others second series/a true story.htm

The Longbeards' Saga. AD 400
... grind for the Wendels.' Wept the Alruna wife; Kissed her fair Freya:" 'Far off in
the morning land, High in Valhalla, A window stands open; Its sill is the ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the longbeards saga a d 400.htm

Man's Bad Break.
... Man must use the power given. Only so could he own what had been given. God could
open the door. Man must step over the door-sill. Action realizes power. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/mans bad break.htm

Death, the Friend
... wearied face. The window is flung wide to the sunrise, and on its sill perches
a bird that gives forth its morning song. The cowled ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/death the friend.htm

The Bread and Water of Life
... Yea, that is Life: make this forenoon sublime, This afternoon a psalm, this night
a prayer, And Time is conquered, and thy crown is won." [1]. [1] ER Sill. ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xi the bread and water.htm

The Ark among the Philistines
... of Jehovah. The head of Dagon and both his hands were broken off on the
door sill, and only his body was left. Jehovah severely ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the ark among the philistines.htm

Sill (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sill (1 Occurrence). Acts 20:9 A certain young man
named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. ...
/s/sill.htm - 7k

Silkworm

/s/silkworm.htm - 9k

Drip (12 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) That part of a cornice, sill course, or other horizontal member, which projects
beyond the rest, and is of such section as to throw off the rain water. ...
/d/drip.htm - 10k

Sell (58 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Self. 2. (n.) A sill. 3. (n.) A cell; a house.
4. (n.) A saddle for a horse. 5. (n.) A throne or lofty seat. ...
/s/sell.htm - 26k

Silla (1 Occurrence)

/s/silla.htm - 7k

Gate (248 Occurrences)
... 45:1; thura, "door," Acts 3:2): (1) The usual gateway was provided with double doors,
swung on projections that fitted into sockets in the sill and lintel. ...
/g/gate.htm - 63k

Fortified (79 Occurrences)
... nightfall (Joshua 2:5). The gate of Gaza had two leaves which were not hinged to
the two gate-posts, but turned on pins moving in sockets in the sill and lintel ...
/f/fortified.htm - 63k

Fort (8 Occurrences)
... nightfall (Joshua 2:5). The gate of Gaza had two leaves which were not hinged to
the two gate-posts, but turned on pins moving in sockets in the sill and lintel ...
/f/fort.htm - 41k

Fortress (75 Occurrences)
... nightfall (Joshua 2:5). The gate of Gaza had two leaves which were not hinged to
the two gate-posts, but turned on pins moving in sockets in the sill and lintel ...
/f/fortress.htm - 60k

Fortification (5 Occurrences)
... nightfall (Joshua 2:5). The gate of Gaza had two leaves which were not hinged to
the two gate-posts, but turned on pins moving in sockets in the sill and lintel ...
/f/fortification.htm - 40k

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