KING JAMES BIBLE DICTIONARY

(Heb. gader), Numbers 22:24 (R.V.). Fences were constructions of unmortared stones, to protect gardens, vineyards, sheepfolds, etc. From various causes they were apt to bulge out and fall (Psalms 62:3). In Psalms 80:12, R.V. (see Isaiah 5:5), the psalmist says, "Why hast thou broken down her fences?" Serpents delight to lurk in the crevices of such fences (Ecclesiastes 10:8; comp. Amos 5:19).

General references
Song of Solomon 4:12

Made of stone walls
Numbers 22:24; Psalms 62:3; Proverbs 24:30-31; Isaiah 5:2; Micah 7:11

Hedge
Ecclesiastes 10:8; Isaiah 5:5; Nahum 3:17; Matthew 21:33; Proverbs 15:19; Hosea 2:6

Figurative
Ezekiel 22:30

FENCE, noun fens. [See Fend.]

1. A wall, hedge, ditch, bank, or line of posts and rails, or of boards or pickets, intended to confine beasts from straying, and to guard a field from being entered by cattle, or from other encroachment. A good farmer has good fences about his farm; an insufficient fence is evidence of bad management. Broken windows and poor fences are evidences of idleness or poverty or of both.

2. A guard; any thing to restrain entrance; that which defends from attack, approach or injury; security; defense.

A fence betwixt us and the victor's wrath.

3. Fencing, or the art of fencing; defense.

4. Skill in fencing or defense.

FENCE, verb transitive fens.

1. To inclose with a hedge, wall, or any thing that prevents the escape or entrance of cattle; to secure by an inclosure. In New England, farmers, for the most part, fence their lands with posts and rails, or with stone walls. In England, lands are usually fenced with hedges and ditches.

He hath fenced my way that I cannot pass. Job 19:8.

2. To guard; to fortify.

So much of adder's wisdom I have learnt, to fence my ear against thy sorceries.

FENCE, verb intransitive

1. To practice the art of fencing; to use a sword or foil, for the purpose of learning the art of attack and defense. To fence well is deemed a useful accomplishment for military gentlemen.

2. To fight and defend by giving and avoiding blows or thrusts.

They fence and push, and pushing, loudly roar, their dewlaps and their sides are bathed in gore.

3. To raise a fence; to guard. It is difficult to fence against unruly cattle.

FEN'CED, participle passive Inclosed with a fence; guarded; fortified.

There were in Palestine (1) cities, (2) unwalled villages, and (3) villages with castles or towers (1 Chronicles 27:25). Cities, so called, had walls, and were thus fenced. The fortifications consisted of one or two walls, on which were towers or parapets at regular intervals (2 Chronicles 32:5; Jeremiah 31:38). Around ancient Jerusalem were three walls, on one of which were ninety towers, on the second fourteen, and on the third sixty. The tower of Hananeel, near the north-east corner of the city wall, is frequently referred to (Nehemiah 3:1; 12:39; Zechariah 14:10). The gateways of such cities were also fortified (Nehemiah 2:8; 3:3, 6; Judges 16:2, 3; 1 Samuel 23:7).

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 enabled to hold possession of Jerusalem till the time of 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.

i.e. cities fortified or defended. The fortifications of the cities of Palestine, thus regularly "fenced," consisted of one or more walls (sometimes of thick stones, sometimes of combustible material), crowned with battlemented parapets, having towers at regular intervals, (2 Chronicles 32:5; Jeremiah 31:38) on which in later times engines of war were placed, and watch was kept by day and night in time of war. (Judges 9:45; 2 Kings 9:17; 2 Chronicles 26:9,15)

FENCEFUL, adjective fens'ful. Affording defense.

FENCELESS, adjective fens'less.

1. Without a fence; uninclosed; unguarded.

2. Open; not inclosed; as the fenceless ocean.

FENCE-MONTH, noun The month in which hunting in any forest is prohibited.

FEN'CER, noun One who fences; one who teaches or practices the art of fencing with sword or foil.