Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5506 roof
Most buildings in biblical times had flat roofs. With the hot climate, they had a wider range of uses than merely providing shelter for the building.
Uses of roofs
Shelter erected on the roof to make an extra room
2 Kings 4:10 See also 2 Samuel 16:22; Proverbs 21:9; Proverbs 25:24
Guests lodged on the roof
Joshua 2:8 See also 1 Samuel 9:25-26
The roof used as a place for leisure and relaxation
2 Samuel 11:2 See also Daniel 4:29; Matthew 24:17 pp Mark 13:15 pp Luke 17:31
The roof used as a place of religious observance
Nehemiah 8:16 See also 2 Kings 23:12; Jeremiah 19:13; Jeremiah 32:29; Zephaniah 1:5; Acts 10:9
In cities, some roofs were open, public places
Isaiah 15:3 See also Judges 9:50-52; 2 Samuel 18:24; Jeremiah 48:38; Matthew 10:26-27 pp Luke 12:2-3
Roofs were usually constructed with a thick layer of clay
Mark 2:4 pp Luke 5:19
Roof as a synonym for house
Matthew 8:8 pp Luke 7:6 See also
See also
5207 architecture 5240 building 5269 cornerstone 5340 house 5553 stairways
