Topical Encyclopedia In the ancient Near East, including the regions described in the Bible, houses were commonly constructed using materials readily available in the environment. Among these materials, brick and clay were prevalent due to their accessibility and ease of use. The practice of plastering these structures was also common, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes.Construction Materials: Brick and Clay Brick and clay were fundamental building materials in biblical times. The use of brick is notably mentioned in the construction of the Tower of Babel: "And they said to one another, 'Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.' So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar" (Genesis 11:3). This passage highlights the technological advancement and preference for bricks in certain monumental constructions. Clay, often mixed with straw, was another essential material. In Exodus, the Israelites, while enslaved in Egypt, were tasked with making bricks: "You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; they must go and gather their own straw" (Exodus 5:7). This indicates the widespread use of clay bricks in everyday construction. Plastering Techniques Plastering was a common technique used to cover walls made of brick or clay. This process involved applying a mixture, often lime-based, to create a smooth and protective surface. Plastering served several purposes: it protected the underlying materials from weathering, provided insulation, and enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the structure. The Bible references plastering in various contexts. In Leviticus, the process of inspecting and cleansing houses affected by mildew is described: "The priest is to return on the seventh day and inspect the house. If the mildew has spread on the walls, he must order that the contaminated stones be torn out and thrown into an unclean place outside the city. He must have all the inside walls of the house scraped and the plaster that is removed dumped into an unclean place outside the city" (Leviticus 14:39-41). This passage illustrates the importance of plaster in maintaining the cleanliness and integrity of a dwelling. Symbolic and Cultural Significance In addition to their practical uses, houses of brick or clay, particularly when plastered, held symbolic significance. They represented stability and permanence, contrasting with the more transient nature of tents or temporary shelters. The prophet Ezekiel uses the imagery of plastered walls to convey messages of false security and impending judgment: "Because they lead My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because when a flimsy wall is built, they plaster it with whitewash" (Ezekiel 13:10). Here, the act of plastering is metaphorically linked to deceit and false assurances. Archaeological Insights Archaeological findings in the regions corresponding to biblical lands have uncovered numerous examples of ancient houses constructed with brick and clay, often plastered. These discoveries provide valuable insights into the daily lives of biblical peoples, their architectural practices, and their adaptation to environmental conditions. The use of plaster in these ancient structures underscores the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the builders, as well as the cultural and religious significance attributed to their homes. The biblical references to plastered houses, therefore, not only reflect historical practices but also convey deeper theological and moral lessons. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezekiel 13:10,11Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, see, others daubed it with untempered mortar: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Nile and Egypt The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued) Resources Summary of the Book of Exodus - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the doctrine of substitution? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about self-gratification / self-pleasure? | GotQuestions.org Houses: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Houses in Cities, Built in Streets Houses of Brick or Clay: Easily Broken Through Houses of Brick or Clay: Often Swept Away by Torrents Houses of Brick or Clay: Plastered Houses of Criminals, Desolated Houses: (Building of) of Great Prosperity Houses: (Built and not Inhabited) of Calamity Houses: (Insecurity of) of Earthly Trust Houses: (On a Rock) the Hope of Saints Houses: (On Sand) the Delusive Hope of Hypocrites Houses: (To Inhabit Those, Built by Others) Abundant Feelings Houses: Accessible from the Outside Houses: Admission To, Gained by Knocking at the Door Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Ceiled and Painted Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Hung With Rich Tapestries Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Inlaid With Ivory Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Large and Airy Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Warmed With Fires Houses: Built of Hewn or Cut Stone Houses: Built of Stone and Wood Houses: Custom of Fastening Nails, in Walls of, Alluded To Houses: Deep and Solid Foundations Required For Houses: Desolation of, Threatened As a Punishment Houses: Divided Into Apartments Houses: Doors of, How Fastened Houses: Doors of, Low and Small for Safety Houses: Entered by a Gate or Door Houses: had often Detached Apartments for Secrecy and for Strangers Houses: had often Several Stories Houses: Law Respecting the Sale of Houses: Often Broken Down to Repair City Walls Before Sieges Houses: Often Built on City Walls Houses: Serpents often Lodged in Walls of Houses: Sometimes Built Without Foundation Houses: Street Windows of, High and Dangerous Houses: The Courts of, Large and Used As Apartments Houses: The Flat Roofs of had often Booths on Them Houses: The Flat Roofs of had often Idolatrous Altars on Them Houses: The Flat Roofs of Often Covered With Week Grass Houses: The Flat Roofs of Resorted to in Grief Houses: The Flat Roofs of Surrounded With Battlements Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Devotion Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Drying Flax Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Exercise Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Making Proclamations Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Secret Conference Houses: Upper Apartments of, the Best, and Used for Entertainments Houses: when Finished Were Usually Dedicated Related Terms |
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