δῶμα

Pronunciation Guide: DOH-mah (with emphasis on the first syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1430: The Greek word δῶμα (doma) primarily refers to a house-top, roof, or terrace—the flat upper surface of Near Eastern houses that functioned as an additional living space in biblical times. This architectural feature served multiple purposes in daily life, from sleeping quarters during hot seasons to spaces for prayer and contemplation. In Scriptural usage, δῶμα represents not just a physical structure but often symbolizes an elevated place of proclamation, refuge, or spiritual perspective.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Noun (neuter)
• Root Origin: Derived from δέμω (demō), meaning “to build” or “to construct”
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in narrative sections, particularly in the Gospels and Acts, often in contexts involving proclamation, prayer, or daily living activities
• Frequency: Appears 7 times in the New Testament

δῶμα Morphology:

• δῶμα (nominative/accusative singular) – a roof, housetop
• δώματος (genitive singular) – of a roof/housetop
• δώματι (dative singular) – on/at a roof/housetop
• δώματα (nominative/accusative plural) – roofs, housetops
• δωμάτων (genitive plural) – of roofs/housetops
• δώμασι(ν) (dative plural) – on/at roofs/housetops

Origin & History

The term δῶμα has ancient roots in Greek culture, initially appearing in classical Greek literature where it often referred to the entire house or dwelling place rather than just the roof. In Homer’s works, δῶμα (or its plural form δώματα) frequently described palaces or houses of notable individuals. For example, in the Odyssey, Homer repeatedly refers to “δώματα” when describing noble residences, including the palace of Odysseus.

When Greek culture influenced Judean architecture during the Hellenistic period, the term evolved to specify the flat rooftops characteristic of Near Eastern homes. By the time of the Septuagint’s translation (3rd-2nd century BCE), δῶμα had narrowed in meaning to typically refer to the flat roof area that was an integral part of Palestinian houses. This architectural feature was essential in the hot Mediterranean climate, serving as an outdoor living area especially during evening hours. The semantic shift from “entire house” to “rooftop” reflects the cultural adaptation of Greek terminology to describe specific features of Judean domestic architecture.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Flat Roof – The primary architectural feature of homes in biblical Israel; a functional space for various household activities
• Housetop – The elevated external portion of a dwelling used for sleeping, socializing, and other daily activities
• Terrace – An open-air extension of living space, often surrounded by a parapet wall for safety
• Upper Chamber – In some contexts, may refer more broadly to upper rooms or elevated portions of a building

δῶμα Translation Options:

• Rooftop – Best conveys the physical location and elevation, emphasizing its position at the top of the house
• Housetop – Traditional translation that captures both the connection to the dwelling and its elevated position
• Terrace – Helpful when emphasizing the functional aspect as a living space rather than just a covering
• Upper Floor – Sometimes appropriate in contexts where the focus is on the elevated position rather than its open-air nature
• Flat Roof – Most precisely describes the architectural feature in its Near Eastern context, particularly useful when architectural detail is relevant to the passage

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, δῶμα appears in contexts that reveal the cultural significance of rooftops in daily life. These flat surfaces were central to Palestinian living, serving as places for sleep during hot summer nights, socializing, prayer, and even proclamation. The Messiah often used this familiar domestic feature in His teachings to illustrate spiritual truths. The most prominent example comes in Matthew 10:27, where He instructs His disciples to proclaim from the housetops what they had heard in private—emphasizing the contrast between private instruction and public declaration.

The usage of δῶμα also appears in contexts involving surveillance, escape, or elevated perspective. In the Gospels, Jesus references housetops both as places of public proclamation and as potential escape routes during times of crisis (Luke 17:31). This dual function—as both a place of community visibility and potential refuge—highlights the architectural and social importance of these structures in ancient Near Eastern life.

• “What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops [δωμάτων].” Matthew 10:27
• “Let him who is on the housetop [δώματος] not go down to take out the things that are in his house.” Matthew 24:17
• “On that day, the one who is on the housetop [δώματος] and whose goods are in the house must not go down to take them out…” Luke 17:31
• “It is better to live in a corner of the roof [δώματος] than in a house shared with a contentious woman.” Proverbs 21:9 (Septuagint)
• “Peter went up on the housetop [δῶμα] about the sixth hour to pray.” Acts 10:9
• “It is better to live in a corner of a housetop [δώματος] than in a house shared with a contentious woman.” Proverbs 25:24 (Septuagint)
• “They went up on the roof [δῶμα] and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher…” Luke 5:19

Cultural Insights

The flat roofs (δώματα) of ancient Near Eastern homes were far more than simple architectural features—they were functional extensions of living space. Unlike modern pitched roofs, these flat surfaces were constructed by laying wooden beams across the walls, then adding layers of branches, earth, and lime for waterproofing. Deuteronomy 22:8 required homeowners to build a parapet (מַעֲקֶה, ma’aqeh) around the roof’s edge for safety: “When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, so that you will not bring bloodguilt on your house if anyone falls from it.”

These elevated spaces served multiple crucial functions in daily life. During the hot summer months, families would sleep on the roof to escape the stifling heat inside. Rooftops were also used for drying flax (Joshua 2:6), drying fruits and vegetables, and as a relatively private outdoor space for prayer. The story of Peter’s vision in Acts 10 reveals this common practice of seeking quiet prayer time on the roof. Additionally, these elevated platforms provided an ideal location for announcements to the neighborhood, explaining the Messiah’s reference to proclaiming from the housetops what was heard in private.

Theological Significance

The concept of δῶμα carries rich theological symbolism throughout Scripture. As an elevated space, the housetop represents a position of spiritual perspective and proclamation. When the Messiah instructed His disciples to proclaim from the housetops what they heard in private (Matthew 10:27), He was establishing a pattern for spiritual truth: intimate revelation from God must lead to public declaration. This process—from private encounter to public proclamation—mirrors the divine pattern of revelation throughout biblical history.

Furthermore, the housetop served as a place of divine encounter and revelation. Peter’s transformative vision in Acts 10:9-16 occurred while he was praying on a rooftop. This significant moment, which expanded the early believers’ understanding of God’s redemptive plan to include Gentiles, happened on a δῶμα—suggesting these elevated spaces could function as meeting places between heaven and earth. Just as the physical housetop provided elevated perspective on the surrounding community, spiritual revelation offers elevated perspective on God’s expansive redemptive purposes.

The δῶμα also appears in Yeshua’s eschatological teachings as places of necessary awareness and rapid response. His warning that those on the housetop should not go down to collect possessions during end-time crises (Matthew 24:17) emphasizes spiritual readiness and detachment from material concerns. This teaching echoes the prophet Zephaniah’s warnings about judgment coming upon “those who worship on the housetops” (Zephaniah 1:5)—indicating that elevated positions can represent either spiritual vigilance or false security.

Personal Application

The biblical concept of δῶμα invites us to consider the “elevated spaces” in our own spiritual lives—those places where we gain perspective, encounter God, and prepare to share His truth. Just as ancient Near Eastern inhabitants would ascend to their rooftops for respite from the day’s heat and noise, we too need regular spiritual elevation—times of prayer, meditation on Scripture, and quiet communion with God that lift us above life’s clamor and confusion.

Moreover, Yeshua’s command to proclaim from the housetops what we hear in private challenges us to move from personal revelation to public declaration. Our intimate encounters with God’s truth should never remain private possessions; they are meant to be proclaimed. Like the elevated δῶμα that made proclamations audible throughout the neighborhood, our lives should amplify God’s truth in ways that reach those around us. What spiritual insights have you received that need to be shared from the “housetops” of your influence?

Related Words

• στέγη (stegē, pronounced STEH-ghee) – Also means “roof,” but emphasizes its function as a covering or shelter, rather than as a usable space. While δῶμα focuses on the flat, usable surface, στέγη emphasizes the protective function. See G4721
• οἶκος (oikos, pronounced OY-kos) – Refers to the entire house or household, including its inhabitants. While δῶμα specifies just the rooftop portion, οἶκος encompasses the entire dwelling and often the family unit that resides within it. See G3624
• ὑπερῷον (hyperōon, pronounced hoo-per-OH-on) – Refers specifically to an upper room or chamber within a house, often used for gatherings. While δῶμα describes the exterior roof area, ὑπερῷον refers to interior elevated spaces like the room where the disciples gathered after Yeshua’s ascension. See G5253
• ἀνάγαιον (anagaion, pronounced an-AG-ai-on) – Specifically refers to an upper room or guest chamber, like where the Last Supper was held. While both δῶμα and ἀνάγαιον involve elevated spaces, the latter is enclosed and designated for hospitality purposes. See G508
• σκηνή (skēnē, pronounced skay-NAY) – Refers to a tent, tabernacle, or temporary dwelling. While δῶμα represents a permanent structural feature, σκηνή emphasizes temporality and portability, often with spiritual symbolism related to God’s presence. See G4633

Did You Know?

• During the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), many Jewish families would build temporary booths (sukkot) on their δώματα, transforming these everyday spaces into places of sacred remembrance. These rooftop dwellings commemorated Israel’s wilderness journey and God’s faithful provision, creating a powerful integration of domestic architecture and spiritual practice that literally elevated festival observance.
• Archaeological excavations in ancient Judean towns like Capernaum reveal that most houses had exterior staircases leading directly to the roof, allowing access without entering the house interior. This architectural feature explains how the four men carrying the paralytic in Luke 5:19 could access the roof directly and lower their friend through it to Jesus below—without disturbing the crowded interior spaces.
• The modern Arabic word for flat rooftop, “sath” (سطح), preserves many of the same cultural functions as ancient δώματα. In traditional Middle Eastern communities today, rooftops are still used for sleeping during hot summer months, drying clothes and foods, and as social gathering spaces—demonstrating remarkable continuity in architectural practice across three millennia.

Remember This

The δῶμα stands as both literal architecture and spiritual metaphor—an elevated place where daily life meets divine revelation, where private instruction transforms into public proclamation, and where believers gain the perspective needed to navigate both present challenges and future promises.