קִיר

The Hebrew noun קִיר (qîr) refers to a wall, a fundamental architectural element throughout the ancient Near East. This term broadly encompasses various types of walls, from defensive city walls to internal partitions within a building. Its semantic range highlights both the protective and structural functions of walls in biblical contexts.

In many instances, קִיר denotes the walls of a city, emphasizing their role in providing security and defining boundaries. These walls were crucial for defense against enemies, and their breach or destruction signified conquest and devastation. Beyond external fortifications, קִיר also describes the interior walls of houses, temples, and other structures. Here, walls serve to delineate space, provide support for roofs, and offer privacy within a dwelling.

Figuratively, walls can represent security or separation. The breaching of a wall often symbolizes impending judgment or vulnerability, as seen in prophetic literature. The term can also refer to a side or a part of a structure, indicating its spatial relationship to other components. For example, a passage might describe something "on the wall" of a building, specifying its location within the structure. The diverse applications of קִיר illustrate its importance in both literal and metaphorical expressions within the Hebrew Bible.