The flat area over a house.
About Housetop
Houses in biblical times had flat roofs. These were often surrounded by a low wall or parapet (see Parapet, retaining wall) that prevented people or objects from falling off. They were made of a base of heavy wooden beams. These were overlaid with branches or grass, which was then covered with dirt, sometimes mixed with lime or stone. The dirt was pounded flat or rolled down with a heavy stone roller. The roof was normally reached by outside stairs along a wall of the house. See the illustrations at House, permanent dwelling and Crossbeam, rafter.
Key References
Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house.
Since they were unable to get to Jesus through the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat.
The next day at about the sixth hour, as the men were approaching the city on their journey, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
All Scripture References (11)
Genesis (1)
Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them to you, and you can do to them as you please. But do not do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”
Matthew (3)
The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.
Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house.
Mark (2)
Since they were unable to get to Jesus through the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat.
Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house.
Luke (4)
but they could not find a way through the crowd. So they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
So Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends with the message: “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof.
What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.
On that day, let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve his possessions. Likewise, let no one in the field return for anything he has left behind.
Acts (1)
The next day at about the sixth hour, as the men were approaching the city on their journey, Peter went up on the roof to pray.