Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, cities were often fortified to protect inhabitants from enemy attacks and to serve as centers of administration, commerce, and worship. The concept of a "fenced city" is frequently mentioned in the Bible, highlighting the importance of security and defense in ancient urban planning. These fortified cities were characterized by walls, gates, and sometimes additional defensive structures such as towers and ramparts.1. Walled Cities: Walled cities were the most common form of fortified settlements in biblical times. The walls served as the primary defense mechanism against invading forces. The construction of these walls varied, with some being made of stone, mud-brick, or a combination of materials. The height and thickness of the walls were crucial for effective defense. · Jericho: One of the earliest and most famous examples of a walled city is Jericho. The Bible recounts the miraculous fall of Jericho's walls in the conquest led by Joshua. "When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, they shouted a loud shout, and the wall collapsed. So each man charged straight into the city, and they captured it" (Joshua 6:20). · Jerusalem: Another significant walled city was Jerusalem, which had multiple layers of fortifications over the centuries. King Solomon expanded the city and fortified its walls (1 Kings 3:1). Later, King Hezekiah reinforced the walls to prepare for the Assyrian threat (2 Chronicles 32:5). 2. Cities with Gates and Bars: Gates were critical components of fortified cities, serving as points of entry and exit. They were often reinforced with bars and locks to prevent unauthorized access. The gates were also places of social and legal activity, where elders would gather to make decisions and conduct business. · Lachish: The city of Lachish is noted for its strong gates and bars. During the Assyrian invasion, Lachish was one of the last cities to fall due to its formidable defenses. "Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish: 'I have done wrong. Withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand of me.' So the king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold" (2 Kings 18:14). 3. Cities with Towers: Towers were often integrated into the walls of fortified cities, providing a vantage point for watchmen to observe approaching enemies and signal the city's defenders. These towers were strategically placed to maximize visibility and defense. · Migdal Eder: The term "Migdal Eder," meaning "Tower of the Flock," refers to a specific location near Bethlehem. While not a city itself, it illustrates the use of towers in the region. "And you, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the Daughter of Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; sovereignty will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem" (Micah 4:8). 4. Cities with Ramparts: Ramparts were embankments or defensive walls built around a city, often accompanied by a ditch or moat. These structures added an extra layer of protection and were designed to make it more difficult for attackers to breach the city's defenses. · Samaria: The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria, was known for its strong fortifications, including ramparts. The city withstood several sieges before eventually falling to the Assyrians. "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria" (2 Kings 17:6). The Bible's references to fenced cities underscore the importance of security and the strategic planning involved in ancient urban development. These cities not only served as physical strongholds but also as centers of cultural and religious life for the Israelites. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joshua 10:20And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 36:1 Library Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire The People of the New Earth Treatise on the Priesthood. Book iii. The Gods of Egypt [Endnotes] Solomon's Temple Spiritualized Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon: Resources What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Abraham bargain with God in regard to Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18)? | GotQuestions.org Who were the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites? | GotQuestions.org Cities: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Cities of Refuge of the Hope of the Gospel Cities of Refuge: (The Way To) Christ Cities of Refuge: Afforded No Asylum to Murderers Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Easy of Access Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Open to all Manslayers Cities of Refuge: Strangers Might Take Advantage of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to not Protected Outside of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Obliged to Remain In, Until the High Priest's Death Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Were Put on Their Trial Cities were Called For: The Country in Which Built Cities were Called For: The Family of the Founder Cities were Called For: The Proprietor of the Land Cities were Frequently: Besieged Cities were Frequently: Burned Cities were Frequently: Depopulated Cities were Frequently: Made Heaps of Ruins Cities were Frequently: Pillaged Cities were Frequently: Razed and Sown With Salt Cities were Frequently: Stormed Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Famine Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Pestilence Cities: A Great Defence to a Country Cities: Afforded Refuge in Times of Danger Cities: Arranged in Streets and Lanes Cities: Artificial Mode of Supplying Water To Cities: Built in Desert Places Cities: Built in Pleasant Situations Cities: Built of Brick and Mortar Cities: Built of Brick and Slime Cities: Built of Stone and Wood Cities: Built with Compactness Cities: Built: Often of a Square Form Cities: Built: On Solid Foundations Cities: Designated as Merchant Cities: Designated as Treasure Cities: Designed for Habitations Cities: Different Kinds of Chariot Cities: Different Kinds of Commercial Cities: Different Kinds of Fenced Cities: Different Kinds of Levitical Cities: Different Kinds of Refuge Cities: Different Kinds of Royal Cities: Different Kinds of Store Cities: Different Kinds of Treasure Cities: Difficulty of Taking, Alluded To Cities: Government of, by Rulers Cities: Inhabitants of, Called Citizens Cities: Often Built to Perpetuate a Name Cities: Often Deserted on the Approach of an Enemy Cities: Often Fortified by Art Cities: Often Fortified by Nature Cities: Often Founded and Enlarged by Blood and Rapine Cities: Often Great and Goodly Cities: Often of Great Antiquity Cities: Prosperity of, Increased by Commerce Cities: Protected at Night by Watchmen Related Terms Chariot-cities (3 Occurrences) Treasure-cities (1 Occurrence) Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) |
    |