Siege ramp, siege mound

Siege ramp at Masada, built by the Romans to attack the Jewish rebels who had taken refuge there
Siege ramp at Masada, built by the Romans to attack the Jewish rebels who had taken refuge there (© Andrew Shiva / Wikipedia, via Wikimedia Commons)

Description and usage

The siege ramp was a road leading up to the walls of a city that was under attack. Fortified cities were often built on high ground and were difficult to approach. Battering rams (see Battering ram) were very heavy and hard to move. The attackers would build a ramp or road over which they could bring their battering ram and other siege instruments.


Translation

It is not always clear from the context if the Hebrew word sollah refers to a siege wall or to a ramp for an assault. Most translations choose something like “siege mound,” which will not be understood by most readers. In EZK 4:2GNT has “earthworks,” which is more modern English but does not indicate the function of the structure. NIV comes closer with “a ramp up to it.”

Scripture References (11)

2 Samuel

2 Kings

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Daniel