The roofs of the dwelling-houses were flat, and are often alluded to in Scripture (2Sa 11:2; Isa 22:1; Mat 24:17). Sometimes tents or booths were erected on them (2Sa 16:22). They were protected by parapets or low walls (Deu 22:8). On the house-tops grass sometimes grew (Pro 19:13; 27:15; Psa 129:6,7). They were used, not only as places of recreation in the evening, but also sometimes as sleeping-places at night (1Sa 9:25,26; 2Sa 11:2; 16:22; Dan 4:29; Job 27:18; Pro 21:9), and as places of devotion (Jer 32:29; 19:13).
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