What are the…
fenced cities in the Bible

also known as: fortified cities

Virtually all bibical cities of significant size were fortified for safety against invaders, wars, thieves, and dangerous animals. The were also unwalled villages and villages with a watch tower and/or a fortified place in which to retreat for safety. Fortified cities or fenced cities had walls, and were thus fenced. The fortifications consisted of one or two walls, on which were towers or parapets at regular intervals (Jeremiah 31:38).

…he took courage and rebuilt all the wall that had been broken down and erected towers on it, and built another outside wall and strengthened the Millo in the city of David… —2 Chronicles 32:5 excerpt

Around ancient Jerusalem were 3 walls. On one of were 90 towers, on the second 14, and on the third 60. The tower of Hananeel, near the northeast corner of the city wall, is frequently referred to (Neh. 3:1; 12:39; Zechariah 14:10).

The gateways of such cities were also fortified (Neh. 2:8; 3:3, 6; Judges 16:2-3; 1 Samuel 23:7). They were not simply a closable door in the wall, but rather a complex series of enclosed walls and spaces and defensive points designed to make it much easier to defend against invaders.

The Hebrews found many fenced cities when they entered the Promised Land (Numbers 13:28; 32:17, 34-42; Joshua 11:12-13; Judges 1:27-33), and we may estimate the strength of some of these cities from the fact that they were long held in possession by the Canaanites.

The Jebusites, e.g., were able to hold possession of fortified Jerusalem till the time of King David (2 Samuel 5:6-7; 1 Chronicles 11:5).

Several of the kings of Israel and Judah distinguished themselves as fortifiers or “builders” of cities.