Watchtower 2

View of a stone watchtower in an orchard/vineyard located in the Hill Country of Judah.  Although this one is somewhat dilapidated, when it was being used it would have had a roof made of a few wooden crossbeams with some brush placed on top of them.  The brush would have filtered out the sunlight and made the inside of the watchtower considerably cooler than the outside temperatures.

 During the summer months, a farmer and his family would work in their fields, orchards, or vineyards until about 11:00 a.m.  At that point they could take a midday rest in the shade and cool comfort of the watchtower and then return to their work in the late afternoon – when temperatures were cooler and the sea breeze was blowing.

The buildings were also well used near and at the time of the harvest.

Note the description of the work of a farmer in his vineyard as described in Isaiah 5:2 “He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well.”

To view a very elaborate and well-preserved watchtower Click Here.