Thresholds

In biblical architecture, thresholds hold significant symbolic and practical importance. The threshold is the entry point of a building, often representing the transition from the outside world into a sacred or protected space. In the Old Testament, thresholds are mentioned in the context of the Temple and other significant structures. For instance, in Ezekiel's vision of the new Temple, the threshold is described in detail, emphasizing its sacredness and the divine presence associated with it: "Then he brought me to the outer court, and there were chambers and a pavement made for the court all around; thirty chambers faced the pavement" (Ezekiel 40:17). The threshold serves as a boundary between the holy and the profane, underscoring the sanctity of the space within.

Thresholds also appear in narratives involving divine judgment and protection. In Exodus 12:22-23, the Israelites are instructed to mark their doorposts and thresholds with the blood of the Passover lamb to protect their households from the plague: "Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it in the blood in the basin, and brush the lintel and the two doorposts with some of the blood. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. When the LORD passes through to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, and He will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down" . This act of marking the threshold signifies divine protection and covenantal faithfulness.

Windows

Windows in biblical times were functional and symbolic, providing light and ventilation while also serving as points of observation and communication. In the construction of the Temple, windows are mentioned as part of the architectural design, allowing light to enter the sacred space: "And he made narrow windows with beveled frames for the temple" (1 Kings 6:4). These windows were designed to maintain the sanctity and solemnity of the Temple while allowing the presence of natural light, symbolizing divine illumination.

Windows also appear in various biblical narratives, often serving as settings for significant events. In the account of Rahab, the window becomes a means of salvation and covenant: "Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was in the wall of the city, so that she lived on the wall" (Joshua 2:15). Rahab's use of the window to aid the Israelite spies signifies her faith and the beginning of her inclusion in the covenant community.

In the New Testament, windows are mentioned in the context of the early Christian community. In Acts 20:9, a young man named Eutychus falls asleep and falls from a window during Paul's lengthy discourse, highlighting the human element within the early church gatherings: "And a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, was overcome by deep sleep. As Paul kept on speaking, he fell down from the third account and was picked up dead" . This incident underscores the communal and sometimes challenging nature of early Christian worship and teaching.

Galleries

Galleries, though less frequently mentioned, are part of the architectural descriptions in the Bible, particularly in the context of the Temple and other significant buildings. In Ezekiel's vision of the Temple, galleries are described as part of the complex structure, indicating their role in the design and function of sacred spaces: "The side chambers were in three accounts, one above the other, thirty in each account. There were offsets all around the wall of the temple to serve as supports for the side chambers, so that they would not be supported by the wall of the temple itself" (Ezekiel 41:6). These galleries provided additional space for various functions, possibly including storage, assembly, or ritual activities.

The presence of galleries in biblical architecture reflects the complexity and grandeur of sacred spaces, emphasizing the importance of order and beauty in worship. They also suggest a hierarchical structure within the Temple, with different levels and areas designated for specific purposes, reinforcing the idea of approaching God with reverence and awe.

In summary, thresholds, windows, and galleries in the Bible are not merely architectural features but carry deep symbolic meanings related to divine presence, protection, illumination, and the order of worship. They serve as reminders of the sacredness of space and the importance of approaching God with reverence and faith.