Moat

Ruins of a fortress surrounded by a moat (Kokhav Hayarden, Crusader fortress overlooking the Beit Shean valley)
Ruins of a fortress surrounded by a moat (Kokhav Hayarden, Crusader fortress overlooking the Beit Shean valley) (© Ya'acov Sa'ar, Israel Government Press Office)

Reference

Hebrew חָרוּץ (charuts)

Description and usage

The moat was a wide ditch or trench dug outside the walls of a city in order to make the wall a more difficult obstacle for those who would attempt to attack from the outside. A moat could be dry or filled with water, but in the conditions of the land of Israel a dry moat was more likely.


Translation

The Hebrew word charuts with the meaning of part of a city’s defenses occurs only in DAN 9:25. Interpretations have varied widely, but it is most likely that it refers to a moat as defined above. RSV and NASB have “moat”; NIV says “trench”; CEV expands to “a trench will be dug around the city for protection.” GNT “strong defenses” may also serve as a model.

See also the note on ISA 22:11 at Pool.

Scripture References (2)

Isaiah

Daniel