Bank
River Banks in Biblical Geography
The most common appearance of banks in Scripture is as the edges of rivers, particularly the Jordan River. These riverbanks served as important geographical markers and settings for significant events. When Elijah was taken up to heaven, his mantle fell on the ground "by the bank of the Jordan" where Elisha retrieved it (2 Kings 2:13). The prophet Ezekiel's vision of the river flowing from the temple included detailed descriptions of trees growing "upon the bank of the river" (Ezekiel 47:7,12). The crossing of the Jordan by the Israelites under Joshua occurred when the river overflowed "all its banks" during harvest season (Joshua 3:15; 4:18), demonstrating God's power over natural boundaries.
Military Banks and Siege Works
A different Hebrew word refers to banks as military fortifications or siege works. When Joab besieged the city of Abel Beth Maacah, the text records that "they cast up a bank against the city" (2 Samuel 20:15). Similar military terminology appears in prophecies against cities, as when Isaiah prophesied that the Assyrians would not "cast up a bank" against Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:32; Isaiah 37:33). In the New Testament, Jesus prophesied Jerusalem's destruction, saying "thine enemies shall cast up a bank about thee" (Luke 19:43, KJV). These banks were earthen ramparts, often reinforced with wooden stakes (Latin vallum), used by besieging armies to approach city walls while protected from defenders' arrows.
Botanical and Poetic Imagery
The Song of Solomon contains a unique metaphorical use in describing the beloved's cheeks as "like a piece of a pomegranate" and his lips as "lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh" with the phrase "banks of sweet herbs" (Song of Solomon 5:13). Most scholars understand this as referring to garden beds or trellises of fragrant plants, creating an image of cultivated beauty and pleasant aromas. This poetic usage connects the natural world with human beauty in the Bible's most explicit love poetry.
Absence of Financial Banking
Unlike modern usage, the Bible contains no references to financial banks or banking institutions. Economic transactions in biblical times occurred through temple treasuries, personal storage of wealth, money changers in temple courts, and lending between individuals. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-13) involve financial management but not banking institutions. Financial ethics were governed by laws against usury (Exodus 22:25) and principles of stewardship rather than through formal banking systems.
Archaeological Evidence
Archaeology confirms the military usage described in Scripture. Excavations of ancient Near Eastern cities reveal evidence of siege works and ramparts. At Lachish, archaeologists found a massive siege ramp built by the Assyrians in 701 BCE, similar to the "banks" described in biblical texts. Josephus records that during the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE, Titus constructed banks (embankments with palisades) against the city walls, exactly as Jesus had prophesied. The Jordan River's changing course over centuries has been studied through geological surveys, confirming its importance as a boundary and symbolic barrier in Israel's history.
Biblical Context
The term appears in various contexts across both Testaments. In historical books (Joshua, 2 Kings, 2 Samuel), riverbanks mark important locations for miracles and military crossings. Prophetic books (Isaiah, Ezekiel) use banks in visions and oracles. The Song of Solomon contains poetic usage, while Luke's Gospel includes Jesus' prophecy using military terminology. The concept appears in narratives about crossing boundaries (Jordan River), military sieges, and poetic imagery, but never in financial contexts.
Theological Significance
River banks often represent boundaries between the ordinary and miraculous, the Jordan separating wilderness from promised land, or Ezekiel's vision of life-giving water flowing from the temple. As military works, banks represent human aggression and siege warfare, contrasted with God's protection of Jerusalem in Isaiah's prophecy. Jesus' prediction of banks around Jerusalem connects to themes of judgment and the consequences of rejecting God's visitation. The absence of financial banking highlights the biblical focus on personal stewardship and ethical economic relationships rather than institutional finance.
Historical Background
In the ancient Near East, riverbanks were crucial for agriculture, transportation, and as natural boundaries. The Jordan River's banks were particularly significant, marking the eastern border of Canaan. Military banks or siege works were standard ancient warfare technology, earthen ramps allowing attackers to reach city walls. The Romans perfected this technique, as documented by Josephus during Jerusalem's siege. Financial institutions resembling modern banks didn't exist; wealth was stored in temples, palaces, or as commodities. Money changing occurred in marketplaces, particularly near temples where foreign currency needed conversion for offerings.