A terrace, in biblical terms, refers to a flat, raised area or platform, often used for agricultural, residential, or ceremonial purposes. The concept of terraces is significant in the context of ancient Near Eastern architecture and agriculture, where they were employed to maximize arable land on hilly or uneven terrain. Terraces are not explicitly mentioned frequently in the Bible, but their presence and utility can be inferred from various passages and historical contexts.

Agricultural Use

Terraces were commonly used in ancient Israel for farming, particularly in the hill country where flat land was scarce. By constructing terraces, the Israelites could create level plots of land suitable for growing crops such as grapes, olives, and grains. This method of farming is implied in the biblical descriptions of the land's fertility and the agricultural practices of the Israelites. The use of terraces would have been essential for maintaining soil stability and preventing erosion, ensuring the productivity of the land.

Architectural and Residential Use

In addition to their agricultural function, terraces were also used in the construction of buildings and cities. The Bible provides several examples of cities built on elevated or terraced sites. For instance, the city of Jerusalem, with its varied topography, likely utilized terraces in its construction. The terraces would have provided stable foundations for buildings and facilitated the organization of urban spaces.

Biblical References

While the term "terrace" itself is not directly mentioned in the Berean Standard Bible, the concept can be associated with certain passages that describe the construction and layout of cities and agricultural practices. For example, the Song of Solomon 2:15 speaks of "the little foxes that ruin the vineyards," which may imply the presence of terraced vineyards that were vulnerable to such disturbances.

Additionally, the construction of Solomon's Temple and his palace complex, as described in 1 Kings 7, suggests the use of terraces or stepped platforms to accommodate the structures on the uneven terrain of Mount Moriah. The extensive building projects undertaken by Solomon would have required significant architectural planning, likely involving terraces to support the grandeur and scale of the edifices.

Symbolic and Spiritual Significance

Terraces, as elevated platforms, can also carry symbolic meanings in the biblical narrative. They may represent a place of elevation, both physically and spiritually, where one can draw closer to God. The idea of ascending to a higher place is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with worship and divine encounter. For instance, the Psalms frequently speak of going up to the house of the Lord, which may metaphorically relate to the ascent to a terraced or elevated place of worship.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention terraces, their presence and significance can be inferred from the agricultural, architectural, and symbolic contexts within the biblical narrative. Terraces played a crucial role in the daily life and spiritual practices of the ancient Israelites, reflecting their ingenuity and devotion to God.1. (n.) A raised level space, shelf, or platform of earth, supported on one or more sides by a wall, a bank of tuft, or the like, whether designed for use or pleasure.

2. (n.) A balcony, especially a large and uncovered one.

3. (n.) A flat roof to a house; as, the buildings of the Oriental nations are covered with terraces.

4. (n.) A street, or a row of houses, on a bank or the side of a hill; hence, any street, or row of houses.

5. (n.) A level plain, usually with a steep front, bordering a river, a lake, or sometimes the sea.

6. (v. t.) To form into a terrace or terraces; to furnish with a terrace or terraces, as, to terrace a garden, or a building.

TERRACE

ter'-as (mecillah): Solomon is said, in 2 Chronicles 9:11, to have made of the algum trees brought him from Ophir "terraces," or raised walks, for the house of Yahweh. In the parallel 1 Kings 10:12, the word used is rendered "pillars," margin " `a railing'; Hebrew `a prop.' "

6170. arugah -- a garden terrace or bed
... 6169, 6170. arugah. 6171 . a garden terrace or bed. Transliteration: arugah
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-oo-gaw') Short Definition: beds. ...
/hebrew/6170.htm - 6k

4546. mesillah -- a highway
... 1). causeway, course, highway, path, terrace. From calal; a thoroughfare
(as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically ...
/hebrew/4546.htm - 6k

8525. telem -- a furrow
... furrow, ridge. From an unused root meaning to accumulate; a bank or terrace --
furrow, ridge. 8524, 8525. telem. 8526 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8525.htm - 5k

Description of Pilate's Palace and the Adjacent Buildings.
... The marble staircase ascended by persons going to the governor's palace led likewise
to an uncovered terrace, and it was from this terrace that Pilate gave ...
/.../chapter xvi description of pilates.htm

In Jerusalem when Herod Reigned
... look northward, are (on the Eastern hill) Ophel, the Priest-quarter, and the Temple -
oh, how wondrously beautiful and enlarged, and rising terrace upon terrace ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i in jerusalem when.htm

Jesus Before Pilate.
... Pilate was reposing in a comfortable chair, on a terrace which overlooked the forum,
and a small three-legged table stood by his side, on which was placed the ...
/.../chapter xvii jesus before pilate.htm

Jesus Condemned to be Crucified.
... This tribunal was called Gabbatha; it was a kind of round terrace, ascended by means
of staircases; on the top was a seat for Pilate, and behind this seat a ...
/.../chapter xxix jesus condemned to.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... more than one apartment: an altar stood before the door, and access to it was obtained
by a straight external staircase, interrupted at each terrace by a more ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

In the House of his Heavenly, and in the Home of his Earthly ...
... deep valleys, surrounded by a sea of walls, palaces, streets, and houses, and crowned
by a mass of snowy marble and glittering gold, rising terrace upon terrace ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x in the house.htm

The Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee - the Miracle that is a Sign ...
... miles north-east of Nazareth, on the road to the Lake of Galilee, we picture it
to ourselves as on the slope of a hill, its houses rising terrace upon terrace ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the marriage feast.htm

The First Day in Passion-Week - Palm-Sunday - the Royal Entry into ...
... hid by the slope of Olivet on the right; what is seen is only Mount Zion, now for
the most part a rough field.' But at that time it rose, terrace upon terrace ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the first day.htm

The Conquest of Babylon.
... The upper terrace, or platform, was several hundred feet from the ground; so high,
that it was necessary to build arches upon arches within, in order to attain ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter viii the conquest of.htm

The Soul of Prayer
... makes melody in his heart to the Lord. That terrace was made with a purpose
and a welcome at will. And it is good to pace the Italian ...
//christianbookshelf.org/forsyth/the soul of prayer/title page.htm

Terrace (1 Occurrence)
... 6. (vt) To form into a terrace or terraces; to furnish with a terrace or terraces,
as, to terrace a garden, or a building. Int. ...TERRACE. ...
/t/terrace.htm - 7k

Philadelphia (2 Occurrences)
... PHILADELPHIA. fil-a-del-'fi-a (Philadelphia: A city of ancient Lydia in Asia Minor
on the Cogamus River, 105 miles from Smyrna. It stood upon a terrace 650 ft. ...
/p/philadelphia.htm - 10k

Terraces (9 Occurrences)

/t/terraces.htm - 8k

Terms (25 Occurrences)

/t/terms.htm - 13k

Jordan (188 Occurrences)
... The debris brought down by this stream has formed a fertile delta terrace 3 or 4
miles in diameter, which now, as in ancient times, is an attractive place for ...
/j/jordan.htm - 70k

Olives (30 Occurrences)
... It is a separately fortified, oblong enclosure; its high walls with their 9 gates
rising from a narrow terrace at a slight elevation above the platform and the ...
/o/olives.htm - 37k

Vase (3 Occurrences)
... that described in the first definition above, or the representation of one in a
solid block of stone, or the like, used for an ornament, as on a terrace or in ...
/v/vase.htm - 8k

Locust (25 Occurrences)
... everything of wood in the house. Every terrace, court, and inner chamber is
filled with them in a moment. Such an awful visitation swept ...
/l/locust.htm - 34k

Gallery (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Hebrews `attik (Ezek. 41:15, 16), a terrace; a
projection; ledge. (2.) Hebrews rahit (Cant. 1:17), translated "rafters," marg. ...
/g/gallery.htm - 11k

Till (774 Occurrences)
... formed in a glacier valley by means of the waters derived from the melting glaciers; --
sometimes applied to alluvium of an upper river terrace, when not ...
/t/till.htm - 36k

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