A colonnade is an architectural feature consisting of a series of columns set at regular intervals, often supporting a roof or an entablature. In biblical times, colonnades were prominent in both public and religious buildings, serving as places of gathering, teaching, and commerce. The use of colonnades in ancient architecture provided both aesthetic beauty and functional space, offering shelter from the elements while facilitating social interaction.

Biblical References

Colonnades are mentioned in several passages of the Bible, most notably in the context of the Temple in Jerusalem and other significant locations. One of the most well-known references is Solomon's Colonnade, also known as Solomon's Porch, which was part of the Second Temple complex. This colonnade is described in the New Testament as a place where Jesus and the apostles taught and performed miracles.

In the Book of Acts, Solomon's Colonnade is highlighted as a gathering place for early Christians. Acts 3:11 states, "While the man clung to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and ran to them in the colonnade called Solomon’s." This passage underscores the colonnade's role as a central location for teaching and miraculous events, drawing crowds who were eager to witness the works of the apostles.

Furthermore, Acts 5:12 notes, "The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people, and with one accord the believers gathered together in Solomon’s Colonnade." This illustrates the colonnade's significance as a communal space for the early church, where believers could come together in unity and witness the power of God at work through the apostles.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, colonnades were common in both sacred and secular architecture. They were often found in temples, palaces, and marketplaces, serving as transitional spaces between the interior and exterior of buildings. The design of colonnades allowed for open-air gatherings, which were essential in the warm Mediterranean climate.

Solomon's Colonnade, in particular, was part of the Herodian Temple, a grand reconstruction of the original Temple built by Solomon. This colonnade was located on the eastern side of the Temple Mount and was named in honor of King Solomon, reflecting the grandeur and historical significance of the original Solomonic Temple.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, colonnades in the Bible symbolize places of teaching, healing, and divine encounter. They serve as settings where God's presence and power are manifested through the actions of Jesus and the apostles. The gatherings in Solomon's Colonnade highlight the early church's commitment to communal worship, teaching, and the proclamation of the Gospel.

The use of colonnades in biblical narratives also reflects the intersection of sacred and public life. These spaces were accessible to all, allowing for the dissemination of divine truth and the demonstration of God's kingdom in a public forum. The colonnade thus becomes a metaphor for the church's mission to engage with the world, bringing the light of Christ into the public sphere.

In summary, colonnades in the Bible are more than architectural features; they are significant settings for the unfolding of God's redemptive work through His people. They remind believers of the importance of community, teaching, and the public witness of faith.(n.) A series or range of columns placed at regular intervals with all the adjuncts, as entablature, stylobate, roof, etc.4745. stoa -- a portico
... a portico. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: stoa Phonetic Spelling:
(sto-ah') Short Definition: a colonnade, portico Definition: a colonnade ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4745.htm - 6k4528. misderon -- a porch, colonnade
... 4527, 4528. misderon. 4529 . a porch, colonnade. Transliteration: misderon
Phonetic Spelling: (mis-der-ohn') Short Definition: vestibule. ...
/hebrew/4528.htm - 6k

361. elam -- a porch
... arch. Or (shortened);elam {ay-lawm'}; or (feminine) ielammah {ay-lam-maw'}; probably
from 'ayil; a pillar-space (or colonnade), ie A pale (or portico) -- arch. ...
/hebrew/361.htm - 6k

The Early Life of St. Joseph
... In front of the house was an outer court (as in the houses of ancient
Rome), surrounded by a covered colonnade like a cloister. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/v the early life of.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles - First Discourse in the Temple
... neither Josephus nor the Mishnah mention this Porch' by name, [3962] we have every
reason for believing that it was the eastern colonnade, which abutted ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi at the feast.htm

Description of Pilate's Palace and the Adjacent Buildings.
... steps. It overlooked a large square surrounded by a colonnade, under which
the merchants sat to sell their various commodities. ...
/.../chapter xvi description of pilates.htm

The Gathering Storm
... One of the imperial archers, who had been posted at the omphalos in the centre of
the Colonnade of Antiochus Epiphanes, came running up to the Governor's ...
/.../chapter i the gathering storm.htm

The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements.
... the eastern aisle, where, in the ground-plan of the Synagogue at Capernaum, which
seems the most fully preserved ruin, two pillars in the colonnade are wanting ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x the synagogue at.htm

Let He who is Without Sin among You
... These porticoes were of magnificent construction and proportions, the Stoa Basilica
alone, upon the south side, with its quadruple colonnade of one hundred and ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/let he who is without.htm

His Murdered Father's Head
... One day he was walking home with Eutyches from a rowing excursion on the Bosporus,
when they saw a crowd of people assembling in the colonnade of the Forum ...
/.../chapter xxxvi his murdered fathers.htm

The Last Words in the Temple.
... poorest of the poor"a pauper"and yet she had something to give: she dropped two
"mites" into one of the boxes under the marble colonnade that surrounded ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxvii the last words.htm

End of Three Months' Ministry in Jerusalem.
... porch. (John 10:23). 23. Waked in Solomon's porch. A long, covered colonnade,
or veranda, with the roof resting on pillars. It is ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/end of three months ministry.htm

Teaching in the Temple on the Octave of the Feast of Tabernacles.
... had not yet come.' [4033] An arch??ological question may here be raised as to the
exact localisation of the Treasury,' whether it was the colonnade around the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii teaching in the.htm

Colonnade (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Colonnade (3 Occurrences). John 10:23 It was winter, and
Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon's porch. (See NIV). ...
/c/colonnade.htm - 7k

Portico (37 Occurrences)
... (n.) A colonnade or covered ambulatory, especially in classical styles of architecture;
usually, a colonnade at the entrance of a building. Int. ...
/p/portico.htm - 19k

Porch (37 Occurrences)
... A colonnade on the east of the temple, so called from a tradition that it was a
relic of Solomon's temple left standing after the destruction of Jerusalem by ...
/p/porch.htm - 22k

Arch (24 Occurrences)
... ARCH. arch ('ayil; Septuagint ta ailam, in sense of "posts" or "colonnade"): Referred
to repeatedly in Ezekiel 40:16, but translation is an error for "porch" or ...
/a/arch.htm - 15k

Solomon's (56 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Solomon's Porch. (John 10:23; Acts 3:11; 5:12), a colonnade,
or cloister probably, on the eastern side of the temple. ...
/s/solomon's.htm - 31k

Laodicea (6 Occurrences)
... One of the two Roman theaters is remarkably well preserved, and there may still
be seen the stadium, a colonnade, the aqueduct which brought the water across ...
/l/laodicea.htm - 11k

Parbar (1 Occurrence)
... is supposed to be of Persian origin, connected with Parwar, meaning "possessing
light," and hence, the meaning has been suggested of "colonnade" or "portico ...
/p/parbar.htm - 8k

Colonize (1 Occurrence)

/c/colonize.htm - 6k

Colonnades (1 Occurrence)

/c/colonnades.htm - 6k

Gadara
... A paved street, with double colonnade, ran from East to West. The ruts worn
in the pavement by the chariot wheels are still to be seen. ...
/g/gadara.htm - 12k

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