Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5207 architecture

5207 architecture

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5207 architecture

The design of buildings, for religious or secular use. Building designs were often regarded in Scripture as embodying spiritual truths, and capable of being divinely inspired.

Examples of architecture

The tabernacle

Hebrews 8:5 See also Exodus 25:8-9; Exodus 26:1-37

The temple

1 Chronicles 28:11-12 See also 1 Kings 6:1-10,15-38; 1 Chronicles 28:19; 2 Chronicles 3:1-17; Corinthians 4:1-22

Altars

Joshua 8:31 See also Exodus 20:25; 2 Kings 16:10-11 Adopting the design of a pagan altar indicated both idolatry and submission to Assyria.

Ordinary dwellings

Deuteronomy 22:8

Ezekiel's vision of a restored temple

Ezekiel 40:1-49; Ezekiel 41:1-26; Ezekiel 42:1-20; Ezekiel 43:10-17

Other structures

Genesis 11:4; 1 Kings 7:1-12; Proverbs 24:3-4 implies that a house must be more than bricks and mortar; Jeremiah 22:13-14

Divinely dictated design

The ark

Genesis 6:14-16 the earliest recorded example of naval architecture

Building design as a spiritual metaphor

The prophecy of the rejected stone

Psalm 118:22; Matthew 21:42 pp Mark 12:10 pp Luke 20:17; 1 Peter 2:7; Matthew 7:24-27 the two foundations pp Luke 6:48-49; 1 Corinthians 3:10-13 the work of Christian ministers; Ephesians 2:19-22 the church; 1 Peter 2:4-7; Isaiah 54:11-12 the heavenly city; Hebrews 11:10; Revelation 21:9-22

God as the architect of creation

Job 38:4-5