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What the Bible Says About Walls of the Cities

Overview

The Bible addresses walls of the cities across 16 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Revelation, 2 Samuel and Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include Walls, Precious Stones, Desert, Journey of Israel Through The and Og. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Joab, Sihon and David.

Key Bible verses about walls of the cities

Old Testament

2 Samuel

2 Samuel 11:20

And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?

2 Samuel 20:15

And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down. in the trench: or, against the outmost wall battered: Heb. marred to throw down

2 Samuel 20:21

The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall. by name: Heb. by his name

New Testament

Revelation

Revelation 21:12

And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

Revelation 21:14

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Revelation 21:17

And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

Revelation 21:18

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

Revelation 21:19

And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

Revelation 21:20

The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

Revelation 21:21

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

People in the Bible and walls of the cities

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying walls of the cities for yourself

  • Begin with Deuteronomy 3:5, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Revelation, 2 Samuel and Deuteronomy each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Joab, Sihon and David and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Walls, Precious Stones, Desert, Journey of Israel Through The and Og.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about walls of the cities?

The Bible addresses walls of the cities across 16 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Revelation, 2 Samuel and Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include Walls, Precious Stones, Desert, Journey of Israel Through The and Og. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Joab, Sihon and David.

How many Bible verses are about walls of the cities?

The Bible references walls of the cities in 16 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention walls of the cities?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Deuteronomy 3:5: “All these cities were fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with walls of the cities?

Joab, Sihon and David.

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