Bible Dictionary
Towers
Biblical towers served various purposes, including defense, watchfulness, and protection of vineyards. Scripture names towers associated with places such as Babel, Jerusalem, Lebanon, and Siloam.
Definition
Biblical towers were structures built for defense, observation, or protection. They included fortified city towers, frontier watch-posts, and towers in vineyards for guarding crops.
Biblical Usage
Scripture names towers connected with Babel, Edar, Penuel, Shechem, David, Lebanon, Hananeel, Siloam, and other places. Tower imagery commonly conveys strength, vigilance, and defense.
Historical Background
Vineyard towers were practical agricultural buildings and functioned as lodges for vineyard keepers.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Of Babel (Gen. 11:4), Edar (Gen. 35:21), Penuel (Judg. 8:9, 17), Shechem (9:46), David (Cant. 4:4), Lebanon (7:4), Syene (Ezek. 29:10), Hananeel (Zech. 14:10), Siloam (Luke 13:4). There were several towers in Jerusalem (2 Chr. 26:9; Ps. 48:12). They were erected for various purposes, as watch-towers in vineyard (Isa. 5:2; Matt. 21:33) and towers for defence.