Fence
Fortified Cities in the Biblical World
When the Bible speaks of "fenced cities," it refers to settlements that were fortified with walls, towers, and gates for military defense. This was the primary meaning of the term throughout the Old Testament, where several Hebrew words describe different aspects of fortification. The most common term conveys the idea of being "cut off" or "separated" — a walled city was separated from the surrounding countryside and protected from enemy attack.
The Israelites encountered these fortified cities when they first entered the Promised Land. The spies sent by Moses reported back with alarm that the cities of Canaan were "great and fortified up to heaven" (Deuteronomy 1:28). This formidable description of towering walls struck fear into the hearts of the people and contributed to their failure of nerve at Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 13:28). Only Caleb and Joshua had the faith to believe God could give them victory despite these imposing defenses.
Fortification in Israelite History
Once Israel settled in the land, fortified cities became central to their national defense strategy. The tribes east of the Jordan built fortified cities to protect their families while the men crossed over to help conquer the western territories (Numbers 32:17, 36). Joshua's campaigns targeted key fortified strongholds, and the distribution of the land included numerous fenced cities assigned to the various tribes (Joshua 10:20; 19:35).
Solomon undertook major fortification projects, building up strategic cities with walls, gates, and storage facilities (2 Chronicles 8:5). Later kings continued this practice: Rehoboam fortified cities in Judah (2 Chronicles 11:23; 12:4), and Asa built up the defenses of his kingdom during a period of peace (2 Chronicles 14:6). These building projects were matters of both practical defense and national prestige.
Walls, Hedges, and Vineyard Enclosures
Beyond military fortifications, the Bible also uses "fence" language for agricultural enclosures. In Isaiah's famous Song of the Vineyard, the owner carefully prepared and enclosed his vineyard (Isaiah 5:2, 5). The removal of a vineyard's hedge or fence was a powerful image of divine judgment — without protection, the vineyard would be trampled and destroyed.
The book of Psalms uses similar imagery. God is said to have broken down the fences around Israel, his vineyard, allowing enemies to plunder it (Psalm 80:12). Ecclesiastes warns that "whoever breaks through a fence, a serpent will bite him" (Ecclesiastes 10:8), a proverb about the consequences of recklessness. Ezekiel speaks of prophets who failed to "stand in the gaps" and build up the wall for Israel (Ezekiel 13:5; 22:30).
Fence as a Metaphor for Divine Protection and Limitation
Some of the most striking uses of "fence" in Scripture are metaphorical. Job complained that God had "fenced up my way so that I cannot pass, and set darkness in my paths" (Job 19:8). Here the fence represents God's sovereign limitation on human freedom — a boundary that cannot be crossed. Similarly, Hosea describes God fencing in Israel's way with thorns to prevent her from pursuing foreign gods (Hosea 2:6).
In the positive sense, God's fencing of his people represents protective care. Job 10:11 poetically describes God clothing humans with skin and flesh and "fencing" them with bones and sinews. The faithful person is surrounded by God's protective provision, like a well-fenced vineyard.
The Prophetic Vision of Broken and Restored Walls
The prophets frequently used the image of broken fences and walls to depict divine judgment on nations. When God withdrew his protection, it was as if the walls had been torn down. Conversely, the restoration of God's people was pictured as the rebuilding of walls and the repair of breaches (Isaiah 36:1; 37:26). Daniel's vision of future conflicts mentions well-fortified cities that would play roles in end-times warfare (Daniel 11:15).
Zechariah envisioned a future Jerusalem so prosperous and secure that it would overflow its walls, with God himself serving as a "wall of fire" around it (Zechariah 2:4-5). This prophetic hope pointed beyond human fortifications to God as the ultimate source of protection for his people.
Biblical Context
The concept of fencing and fortification appears throughout the Old Testament, from the Pentateuch through the Prophets. Fenced cities feature prominently in the conquest narratives (Deuteronomy, Joshua), the monarchy's building projects (Kings, Chronicles), and prophetic oracles of judgment and restoration (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel). Metaphorical uses appear in wisdom literature (Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs) and the prophets (Hosea, Isaiah). The language of fences and walls touches on themes of protection, limitation, judgment, and divine care.
Theological Significance
The biblical concept of fencing carries deep theological meaning. Fortified cities remind readers that human security measures are ultimately insufficient without God's blessing — the spies' fear of Canaan's walls revealed a lack of trust in God. Metaphorically, God's fencing of his people illustrates both his protective sovereignty and his discipline. The prophetic image of God as the true wall and fence for his people points to the reality that lasting security comes not from human construction but from relationship with God. The breaking and rebuilding of walls serves as a powerful image of judgment and restoration throughout Scripture.
Historical Background
Fortified cities were central to ancient Near Eastern civilization. Archaeological excavations throughout Israel and the surrounding regions have uncovered massive defensive walls, some dating back to the Early Bronze Age (3000-2300 BC). Cities like Jericho, Megiddo, Hazor, and Lachish had multiple layers of fortification walls, often including an outer wall, a glacis (sloped embankment), and inner citadel. The Canaanite fortifications that so intimidated the Israelite spies were real and formidable. Agricultural fencing in the ancient world took the form of stone walls, thorn hedges, and watchtowers, as seen in vineyard and field boundaries still visible in the Palestinian landscape today.