Difference between revisions of "Arch"

<p> (only in the plur. '''''אֵילִמִּים''''' , ''Eylammim,'' masc., and '''''אֵילִמּוֹת''''' , felamoth , fe),an architectural term occurring only in &nbsp;Ezekiel 40:16; &nbsp;Ezekiel 40:22; &nbsp;Ezekiel 40:26; &nbsp;Ezekiel 40:29, and difficult of definition, but prob. allied with '''''אִיִל''''' , ''A'Yil,'' a ''Ram,'' hence a column or pilaster (&nbsp;1 Kings 6:31; &nbsp;Ezekiel 41:3, etc.). Most interpreters understand the term (sing. '''''אֵילָם''''' , ''Eylam')'' to be the same as '''''ץוּלָם''''' , ''Ulam','' a vestibule or ''Porch,'' following the Sept., Vulg., and [[Targums]] ( '''''Αἰλάμ''''' , ''Vestibulum, '''''ץוּלִמָּא''''' '' ) '';'' but it is manifestly distinguished from this </p> <p> (&nbsp;Ezekiel 40:7-9; &nbsp;Ezekiel 40:39-40), since the latter contained windows (&nbsp;Ezekiel 40:16; &nbsp;Ezekiel 40:29), whereas this was carried round the building, even in front of the ascent to the gate (&nbsp;Ezekiel 40:22; &nbsp;Ezekiel 40:26), and is usually associated with pillars. Of the other ancient interpreters [[Symmachus]] and the Syr. translate sometimes surrounding coliumns, sometimes threshold. The word appears either to denote a portico with a colonnade, or (according to Rabbi Menahen) is about equivalent to '''''אִיִל''''' , from which it is derived, i.e. some ornament, perhaps the [[Volute]] or moulding at the top of a column (comp. Bottcher, ''Proben Alttest. Schrifverkl.'' p. 319). </p> <p> Arches with vaulted chambers and domed temples figure so conspicuously in modern Oriental architecture, that, if the arch did not exist among the ancient Jews, their towns and houses could not possibly have offered even a faint resemblance to those which now exist; and this being the case, a great part of the analogical illustrations of [[Scripture]] which modern travelers and Biblical illustrators have obtained from this source must needs fall to the ground. Nothing against its existence is to be inferred from the fact that no word properly signifying an arch can be found in the [[Hebrew]] [[Scriptures]] (see above). The architectural notices in the Bible are necessarily few and general; and we have at this day histories and other books, larger than the sacred volume, in which no such word as "arch" occurs. There is certainly no absolute proof that the [[Israelites]] employed arches in their buildings; but if it can be shown that arches existed in neighboring countries at a very early period, we may safely infer that so useful an invention could not have been unknown in Palestine. </p>

<p> ''''' arch ''''' ( איל , <i> ''''' 'ayil ''''' </i> ; [[Septuagint]] τα αἰλάμ , <i> ''''' ta ailám ''''' </i> , in sense of "posts" or "colonnade"): Referred to repeatedly in &nbsp;Ezekiel 40:16 , but translation is an error for "porch" or "portico." the Revised Version (British and American) gives in marg, "or, <i> colonnade </i> . The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain." The principle of arch construction was known to the [[Jews]] and examples of early Jewish rude arches have been found in Palestine. An arched form need not necessarily be constructed with radiating joints; it can be corbelled as at Mycenae (Treasury of Atreus). This type of construction has been found also in Palestine. </p>