The meaning of Broad in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
brod (rochabh, "width"; rechobh, "a broadway," "street," "court"; eurchoros, "spacious"): Occurs frequently as a term of dimension (Exodus 27:1; I Kings 6:6; Ezekiel 40:6, Ezekiel 40:43 the Revised Version (British and American), "handbreadth long") and as indicative of strength (Nehemiah 3:8; Jeremiah 51:58). The centers of communal life are called the "broad places," often rendered "streets" (Jeremiah 5:1; Song of Solomon 3:2; Nahum 2:4). A court before the temple: "the broad place on the east" (the King James Version "the east street," II Chronicles 29:4); "broad plates" (Numbers 16:38-39, the Revised Version (British and American) "beaten").
Figurative: Relief from distress: "Yea, he would have allured thee out of (Hebrew "the mouth of") distress into a broad place" (Job 36:16); the liberty of obedience or liberty within the law (Psalms 119:96, "broad," "roomy," "at liberty"); the all-sufficiency of God for His people (Isaiah 33:21). Jerusalem could not boast of a river or navy—Yahweh's presence with and within her would more than supply these deficiencies; the road to destruction: "Broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction" (Matthew 7:13); the ostentatious piety of the Pharisees: "They make broad (platuno, "widen") their phylacteries" (Matthew 23:5).
See CITY; GATE.
L. Kaiser
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
