Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5585 towers

5585 towers

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5585 towers

Tall structures, normally constructed of brick or stone. They were chiefly used for observation of the surrounding countryside in order to warn of the approach of enemies or robbers.

Examples of watchtowers

Isaiah 32:14 See also Judges 8:17; Judges 9:51-52; 1 Chronicles 27:25; 2 Chronicles 14:7; 2 C 9-10,15; 2 C 5; Nehemiah 3:25-27

Destruction of towers synonymous with defeat

Ezekiel 26:4 See also Isaiah 30:25; Isaiah 32:14; Jeremiah 50:15; Ezekiel 26:9

Watchmen stationed in towers

2 Kings 9:17-20 See also Isaiah 21:6-9; Lamentations 4:17

Towers built as protection against thieves

Matthew 21:33 pp Mark 12:1 See also Isaiah 5:1-2

Towers of Jersualem

2 Chronicles 26:9; 2 C 5; Nehemiah 3:1,11,25-26; Nehemiah 12:38-39; Jeremiah 31:38; Zechariah 14:10; Luke 13:4

Towers as place-names and landmarks

Genesis 11:4-5 See also Genesis 35:21 “Migdal Eder” means “tower of the flock”; Judges 8:17; Judges 9:46,51

Parable of building a tower

Luke 18:28-29

Figurative use of towers

Symbolic of the security found in God alone

Proverbs 18:10 See also Psalm 48:3; Psalm 61:3

Symbolic of God's judgment

Ezekiel 26:4 See also Jeremiah 50:15; Zephaniah 1:15-16

Associated with human beauty

Songs 4:4 See also Songs 7:4; Songs 8:9-10

The tower of Babel

The building of the tower of Babel

Genesis 11:1-4 The attempt to build the city and the tower is the result of human pride.

God responds by confusing people's language and by scattering them:

Genesis 11:5-9; Psalm 55:9

The confusion of Babel reversed at Pentecost

Acts 2:5-11