Bible Dictionary
Fenced cities
Fenced cities were fortified settlements protected by one or more walls, towers, parapets, and defended gates. Such cities were common in the land encountered by the Israelites and could resist attack for long periods.
Definition
Fenced cities were fortified settlements protected by one or more walls, towers, parapets, and defended gates. They were distinguished from unwalled villages and from villages having only castles or towers.
Biblical Usage
The Israelites encountered many fenced cities in the Promised Land. Their fortifications enabled some Canaanite peoples, including the Jebusites in Jerusalem, to retain possession for long periods.
Historical Background
Palestinian city defenses included thick walls, battlemented parapets, regularly spaced towers, and fortified gateways. Jerusalem had several walls and numerous towers. Watch was kept by day and night, and later defenses could include engines of war.
Scripture References
1 Chronicles 27:25
2 Chronicles 32:5
Jeremiah 31:38
Nehemiah 3:1
Nehemiah 12:39
Zechariah 14:10
Nehemiah 2:8
Nehemiah 3:3
Nehemiah 3:6
Judges 16:2
Judges 16:3
1 Samuel 23:7
Numbers 13:28
Numbers 32:17
Numbers 32:34-42
Joshua 11:12
Joshua 11:13
Judges 1:27-33
2 Samuel 5:6
2 Samuel 5:7
1 Chronicles 11:5
Judges 9:45
2 Kings 9:17
2 Chronicles 26:9
2 Chronicles 26:15
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
There were in Palestine (1) cities, (2) unwalled villages, and (3) villages with castles or towers (1 Chr. 27:25). Cities, so called, had walls, and were thus fenced. The fortifications consisted of one or two walls, on which were towers or parapets at regular intervals (2 Chr. 32:5; Jer. 31:38). Around ancient Jerusalem were three walls, on one of which were ninety towers, on the second fourteen, and on the third sixty. The tower of Hananeel, near the north-east corner of the city wall, is frequently referred to (Neh. 3:1; 12:39; Zech. 14:10). The gateways of such cities were also fortified (Neh. 2:8; 3:3, 6; Judg. 16:2, 3; 1 Sam. 23:7). The Hebrews found many fenced cities when they entered the Promised Land (Num. 13:28; 32:17, 34-42; Josh. 11:12, 13; Judg. 1:27-33), and we may estimate the strength of some of these cities from the fact that they were long held in possession by the Canaanites. The Jebusites, e.g., were enabled to hold possession of Jerusalem till the time of David (2 Sam. 5:6, 7; 1 Chr. 11:5). Several of the kings of Israel and Judah distinguished themselves as fortifiers or “builders” of cities.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
i.e. cities fortified or defended. The fortifications of the cities of Palestine, thus regularly “fenced,” consisted of one or more walls (sometimes of thick stones, sometimes of combustible material), crowned with battlemented parapets, having towers at regular intervals, (2 Chronicles 32:5; Jeremiah 31:38) on which in later times engines of war were placed, and watch was kept by day and night in time of war. (Judges 9:45; 2 Kings 9:17; 2 Chronicles 26:9,15)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>See FORTIFICATION.</p>