5256 city

A large walled centre of population providing security for its inhabitants. The OT often uses the term as a symbol of the security of heaven.

Types of city

Ancient cities Ge 4:17; Ge 10:10-12

Fortified cities Nu 32:34-36; Dt 9:1; Jos 10:20; Jos 14:12

Royal cities Jos 10:2; 1Sa 27:5; 1Ch 11:7

Cities of refuge Dt 4:41-43; Dt 19:1-13

Cities were frequently large

Dt 1:28; Jnh 3:2-3 See also Dt 6:10; Dt 9:1; Ne 7:4; Jnh 4:11

Cities were surrounded by walls

Dt 3:5; Ezr 4:12; 2Co 11:32-33 See also Dt 28:52; Jos 2:15; 1Ki 3:1; 1Ki 4:13; 2Ch 33:14

Cities were places of security

Nu 32:17 See also Jos 10:20; 2Ch 11:5-12; 2Ch 14:6; 2Ch 17:2; Jer 4:5

Cities could fall

2Sa 5:7; Ne 1:3; Jer 51:58 See also Dt 20:12,19-20; 1Ki 16:17-18; 2Ki 25:1-4; Isa 13:19; Jer 32:24-25; Am 5:9

The holy city

Ps 48:1-2 See also 1Ki 11:36; 1Ki 14:21; 1Ch 11:7; Ne 11:1; Isa 52:1; Jer 25:29; Da 9:16; Mt 5:35

City law

Lev 25:29-30

The city as a symbol

Of strength Jer 1:18

Of heaven Heb 11:10 See also Heb 11:16; Heb 12:22; Heb 13:14; Rev 21:2,20-27; Rev 22:1-5

See also