v. Sentinel, Guard
2Sa 18:25 a cried out, and reported it to the king
Isa 52:8 voice of your a! They will raise their voice… they will give
Isa 56:10 their a are blind, they are all ignorant
Jer 6:17 I have also put upon you a, that
Eze 3:17; 33:7
see TRADES; see TIME
Source: Hispanic World Bible Dictionary
Elevated tower that was used as an observatory to monitor the arrival of people, friends or enemies, to a camp or city (Isa 21:6-10). The person in charge of this work was also called a. Israel sinned by making Asherah images on high places, including a. (2Ki 17:9-11). Like the a. had the responsibility to warn of any approaching danger, God uses that figure to tell Ezekiel that he had † œput him by a. to the house of Israel † (Eze 3:17), so he had to fulfill his duty to a. spiritual warning the people.
Source: Christian Bible Dictionary
1. (Masculine.) A man who watches, usually at night, to protect property or people from possible damage and to give warning of a threat of danger. In military terms it is also often called a guard or sentinel. (Jer 51:12, ftn; Ac 12:6; 28:16; see GUARD.)
As protection against theft and vandalism, there used to be people in biblical times who watched over the maturing vineyards or other crops, as well as the flocks, and for this purpose they were stationed in raised huts or watchtowers built for that purpose. (2Ki 17:9; 2Ch 20:24; Job 27:18; Isa 1:8) Besieging forces attacking fortified places posted watchmen or sentinels who gave military information to their commanders. (Jer 51:12) When King Saul was encamped with his army, he also had watchmen, or lookouts, whose responsibility it was to see to the welfare of his king. (1Sa 14:16; 26:15, 16)
Watchtowers used to be stationed on the walls and towers of the cities to see from afar those who approached. (2Sa 18:24-27; 2Ki 9:17-20) They also sometimes made their inspection rounds through the city streets. (Ca 3:3; 5:7) People who were suspicious and awake during the dangerous hours of the night might repeatedly ask such watchmen if all was well (Isa 21:11, 12), and it was natural that they watchtowers will yearn for the light of day. (Ps 130:6) The city that, in addition to having watchmen, had Jehovah’s protection, could be considered happy. (Ps 127:1)
figurative use. Jehovah raised up prophets who served as figurative watchmen for the nation of Israel (Jer 6:17), and they, in turn, sometimes spoke of symbolic watchmen. (Isa 21:6, 8; 52:8; 62:6; Ho 9:8) In their role as watchmen, these prophets had the responsibility to warn the wicked of their impending destruction, and if they failed to do so They were considered guilty of his death. Naturally, if the people were insensitive and did not heed the warning, they perished by their own mistake, but the prophet was blameless. (Eze 3:17-21; 33:1-9) An unfaithful prophet was as useless as a blind watchman or a dumb dog. (Isaiah 56:10.)
2. (Feminine.) Surveillance or observation post that used to be built on the walls of a city (see TOWER), in desert areas or on borders. Watchtowers were primarily intended for military purposes, such as city or border protection, but were also built as shelters for shepherds and farmers in isolated locations, from where a watchtower could also spot marauders in order to protect herds. and the crops that were ripening. (2Ch 20:24; Isa 21:8; 32:14)
There were a number of cities called Mizpeh (Heb. mits·peh, “Watchtower”), probably because they were on high places or because important towers had been erected in them. The Bible sometimes distinguished these cities by mentioning their location, such as “Mizpeh of Gilead” (Jg 11:29) and “Mizpeh of Moab”. (1Sa 22:3.)
Jacob erected a heap of stones and called it “Galeed” (meaning “Heap of Testimony”) and “The Watchtower”, because as Laban later said: “Let the LORD watch between me and you when we stand without seeing each other.” . (Ge 31:45-49) This heap of stones would testify that Jehovah was watching to ensure that Jacob and Laban kept their covenant of peace.
Source: Dictionary of the Bible