Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, cities were not only centers of population and governance but also hubs of commerce, culture, and spiritual life. The Bible often references cities in the context of treasure, both material and spiritual, highlighting the diverse kinds of wealth associated with urban centers.Material Treasures Cities in the ancient Near East were often repositories of great material wealth. The Bible frequently mentions treasures in the context of cities, illustrating their economic significance. For instance, the city of Tyre is described as a place of immense wealth due to its trade and commerce. Ezekiel 28:4-5 states, "By your wisdom and understanding you have gained your wealth and amassed gold and silver for your treasuries. By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has grown proud because of it." Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, was another city renowned for its treasures. King Solomon's reign is particularly noted for the accumulation of wealth, as described in 1 Kings 10:14-23 , where the annual gold income and the opulence of Solomon's court are detailed. The temple in Jerusalem also housed significant treasures, which were often targeted by invading forces, as seen in 2 Kings 24:13 : "As the LORD had declared, Nebuchadnezzar carried away all the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s palace." Spiritual Treasures Beyond material wealth, cities in the Bible are often depicted as centers of spiritual treasure. Jerusalem, in particular, holds a special place as the spiritual heart of Israel. It is the city where the temple was built, serving as the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. Psalm 48:1-2 extols Jerusalem's spiritual significance: "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain. Beautiful in loftiness, the joy of all the earth, like the peaks of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the great King." The New Testament also speaks of spiritual treasures in the context of cities. Jesus, in His teachings, often contrasts earthly treasures with heavenly ones. In Matthew 6:19-21 , He advises, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Symbolic Treasures Cities in the Bible can also symbolize the ultimate treasure of God's kingdom. The Book of Revelation describes the New Jerusalem as a city of unparalleled beauty and wealth, symbolizing the eternal dwelling place of God with His people. Revelation 21:18-21 describes the city's construction with precious materials: "The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone." In summary, cities in the Bible are depicted as centers of both material and spiritual treasures. They serve as reminders of the wealth that can be amassed on earth and the greater, eternal treasures found in a relationship with God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 1:11Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Secret of Its Greatness That the Scriptures are Divinely Inspired. In Death and after Death Translated from the Greek. The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem John v. 14 The Immaculate Conception Sources of the Pentateuch. The First Theban Empire Matt. xxiv. 1, 2 Resources What were the cities of refuge in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were Admah and Zeboiim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why did Jesus mention Tyre and Sidon in Luke 10:14? | 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) |