Window
Summary
Windows in ancient Near Eastern houses were typically latticed apertures that admitted light and air while allowing occupants to observe the street below without being seen.
☩Construction and Design
Oriental windows consisted generally of apertures closed with lattice-work rather than glass. Several Hebrew terms describe different aspects: challon for the opening itself, arubbah and charakkim for the interlaced lattice-work, and eshnab for the coolness produced by free air current. While glass was manufactured by Phoenicians, it was apparently not used for windows in Palestine, which remained mere apertures or lattice-fitted openings. Windows generally looked into the inner court, but some faced the street for observation.
☩Biblical Significance
Windows feature in several important biblical narratives. Noah's ark had a window for light and ventilation. The spies escaped from Rahab's house through a window in the city wall at Jericho, and Paul similarly escaped from Damascus. Eutychus fell from a third-story window while Paul was preaching at Troas. Windows in Eastern houses built on city walls often projected outward, allowing both observation and means of escape. In Solomon's Temple, windows provided light to the interior.
Related Verses42 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Window," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Window," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Window," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.George Morrish, "Window," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).