Geographical Setting
A generic Hebrew term denoting a wide, open area or public square within an ancient settlement.
What is the meaning of Broad Place in the Bible?
The Hebrew term râḥōḇ denotes a wide, open space that served as a public square or marketplace in ancient Near Eastern urban centers. Biblical texts, including Joshua 20:4 and Judges 11:34, utilize this designation to identify locations designated for civic engagement and legal refuge.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the function of the broad place illuminates the social and legal infrastructure of ancient Israelite society. It clarifies how urban planning facilitated commerce, judicial proceedings, and communal assembly, thereby providing necessary context for interpreting narratives centered on public life and justice.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Broad Place in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Broad Place clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.