Jump to: ATS • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, tiles were commonly used in construction and decoration, serving both practical and aesthetic purposes. The use of tiles is mentioned in various contexts within the Bible, reflecting their significance in ancient architecture and daily life.Biblical References: One of the notable references to tiles in the Bible is found in the book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 4:1, the prophet is instructed by God to use a clay tablet, which can be understood as a type of tile, to portray the city of Jerusalem: "Now you, son of man, take a brick, place it before you, and draw on it the city of Jerusalem." This passage illustrates the use of tiles or bricks as a medium for communication and symbolic representation. In the New Testament, tiles are mentioned in the account of Jesus healing a paralyzed man. In Luke 5:19, the friends of the paralyzed man, unable to reach Jesus because of the crowd, "went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus." This passage highlights the construction of roofs using tiles, which were common in the architecture of that period. Cultural and Historical Context: Tiles in ancient Israel and surrounding regions were typically made from clay or stone. They were used in various structures, including homes, public buildings, and places of worship. The durability and availability of materials made tiles a practical choice for construction. Additionally, tiles were often decorated with intricate designs, reflecting the artistic expressions of the time. The use of tiles in roofing, as mentioned in Luke 5:19, indicates a level of sophistication in building techniques. Roofs made of tiles provided protection from the elements and were a significant improvement over simpler thatched or mud-covered roofs. Symbolic Significance: In a symbolic sense, tiles can represent the idea of covering or protection, as seen in their use in roofing. They also signify the permanence and stability of structures, reflecting the enduring nature of God's promises and the steadfastness of faith. The use of tiles in Ezekiel's prophetic act serves as a reminder of the role of prophets in conveying God's messages through tangible and relatable means. The depiction of Jerusalem on a tile underscores the importance of visual symbols in communicating divine truths. Conclusion: While tiles may seem like a minor detail in the biblical narrative, their presence underscores the historical and cultural context of the Scriptures. They serve as a reminder of the everyday realities of life in biblical times and the ways in which God used ordinary objects to convey extraordinary messages. ATS Bible Dictionary TileA broad and thin brick, usually made of fine clay, and hardened in the fire. Such tiles were very common in the region of the Euphrates and Tigris, (See BABYLON,) and offered to the exiled prophet Ezekiel the most natural and obvious means of depicting the siege of Jerusalem, Ezekiel 4:1. Great numbers of similar rude sketches of places, as well as of animals and men, are found on the tiles recently exhumed from the ancient mounds of Assyria, interspersed among the wedge-shaped inscriptions with which one side of the tile is usually crowded. At Nineveh Layard found a large chamber stored full of such inscribed tiles, like a collection of historical archives, Ezra 6:1. They are usually about a foot square, and three inches thick. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To protect from the intrusion of the uninitiated; as, to tile a Masonic lodge.2. (n.) A plate, or thin piece, of baked clay, used for covering the roofs of buildings, for floors, for drains, and often for ornamental mantel works. 3. (n.) A small slab of marble or other material used for flooring. 4. (n.) A plate of metal used for roofing. 5. (n.) A small, flat piece of dried earth or earthenware, used to cover vessels in which metals are fused. 6. (n.) A draintile. 7. (n.) A stiff hat. 8. (v. t.) To cover with tiles; as, to tile a house. 9. (v. t.) Fig.: To cover, as if with tiles. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia TILE; TILINGtil, til'-ing (lebhenah, "brick" Ezekiel 4:1; keramos, "potter's clay," "a tile," Luke 5:19). Greek 2766. keramos -- a tile ... a tile. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: keramos Phonetic Spelling: (ker'-am-os) Short Definition: a tile, the roof Definition: a tile ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2766.htm - 6k 3749. ostrakinos -- earthen Strong's Hebrew 3843. lebenah -- brick, tile... 3842, 3843. lebenah. 3844 . brick, tile. Transliteration: lebenah Phonetic Spelling: (leb-ay-naw') Short Definition: bricks. ... altar of brick, tile. ... /hebrew/3843.htm - 6k 2777. charsuth -- potsherd 5508. sochereth -- a stone (used in paving) Library Choosing the Tens What the Ruler's Discrimination Should be Between Correction and ... Effects of the Destruction of Jerusalem on the Christian Church. Thanksgiving to God for Deliverance from the Evils Expected Owing ... Church Union (Continued). Early Missionary Experiences God's Gentle Power Powerful Persuasives The Martyrdom of Stephen. The Council of Jerusalem. Thesaurus Tile (1 Occurrence)... 1. (vt) To protect from the intrusion of the uninitiated; as, to tile a Masonic lodge. ... 7. (n.) A stiff hat. 8. (vt) To cover with tiles; as, to tile a house. ... /t/tile.htm - 7k Tiling (1 Occurrence) Tablet (7 Occurrences) Tikvath (1 Occurrence) Quarrel (22 Occurrences) Inscribe (3 Occurrences) Trace (7 Occurrences) Tiles (1 Occurrence) Portray (3 Occurrences) Pourtray (1 Occurrence) Resources Is it possible for gold dust to come down during a church service? | GotQuestions.orgTile: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Tile (1 Occurrence)Ezekiel 4:1 Subtopics Related Terms |