Bible Dictionary
ASCENT
An ascent is an upward path, pass, stairway, or flight of steps. In one debated passage it may refer either to an ascent into the temple or to a burnt offering.
Definition
An ascent is an upward path, pass, stairway, or flight of steps. It may describe a geographical rise, a route into a higher place, or a staircase. In one disputed passage it may refer either to an ascent into the house of Yahweh or to a burnt offering.
Biblical Usage
The Bible uses ascent for geographical passes and rises, flights of steps, and a disputed expression associated with the temple. Ancient versions support understanding that expression as a burnt offering.
Historical Background
The Hebrew word commonly means ascent or pass. In several passages the Revised Version uses it for stairs, while in another it prefers “upper chamber” in the margin.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-sent':</p><p>(1) The rendering in the King James Version twice, the Revised Version (British and American) 14 times correctly, of Hebrew ma`aleh, "ascent," "pass," as a geographical term (the King James Version Nu 34:4; 2Sa 15:30; the Revised Version (British and American) Jos 10:10; Jud 8:13, etc.).</p><p>(2) The rendering in the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) of `olah in 1Ki 10:5, "his ascent by which he went up unto the house of Yahweh"; but `olah everywhere else means "burnt-offering," and all ancient versions support the Revised Version, margin, "his burnt-offering which he offered" (caused to go up), etc.</p><p>(3) In 2Ch 9:4 (parallel 1Ki 10:5) a very slight textual correction (supported by Septuagint) gives us the same words as in 1Ki instead of the difficult `aliyah, "upper chamber," not "ascent" as the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) render it against all usage elsewhere.</p><p>(4) In the Revised Version (British and American) Eze 40:31,34,37; Ne 12:37, of a flight of steps, stairs.</p><p>(5) In the Revised Version (British and American) (Hebrew `aliyah), Ne 3:31,32, margin "upper chamber" is to be preferred to text "ascent."</p><p>F. K. Farr</p>