{
  "id": "dict_000460",
  "term": "Aulē",
  "slug": "aul",
  "letter": "A",
  "entry_type": "greek_lexical_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "Aulē is a Greek noun meaning a courtyard, enclosed court, sheepfold, or similar open area surrounded by walls or buildings.",
  "simple_one_line": "Aulē means a courtyard or enclosed area, and in the New Testament it functions mainly as a setting word.",
  "tooltip_text": "Greek noun for a courtyard, court, or enclosed space; used mainly as a location term in the New Testament.",
  "aliases": [
    "Aulē (Courtyard)"
  ],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "courtyard",
    "sheepfold",
    "high priest",
    "John 10",
    "Temple",
    "palace"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "court",
    "enclosure",
    "outer court",
    "inner court",
    "shepherd imagery"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Aulē is a Greek word that usually refers to a courtyard, court, or enclosed area. In the New Testament it is chiefly a setting word, though in John 10 it also contributes to the sheepfold image.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "Greek noun for an enclosed open space such as a courtyard, palace court, or sheepfold.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "1. Common Greek noun for a courtyard or enclosed area. 2. Used in narrative settings in the Gospels. 3. In John 10 it appears in the shepherd-and-sheep imagery. 4. It is a lexical/background term, not a doctrine."
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Aulē commonly refers to a courtyard, palace court, or enclosed open space associated with a house or official building. In the New Testament it appears in narrative settings, such as the high priest’s courtyard and the sheepfold imagery in John 10. Because it is mainly a common-word setting term rather than a doctrinal concept, it is best treated as a Greek lexical/background entry rather than a theological doctrine.",
  "description_academic_full": "Aulē is a Greek term that usually denotes a courtyard, court, or enclosed area. In Scripture it functions primarily as an ordinary descriptive word for location or setting, including domestic or official courtyards and, in some contexts, an enclosed sheepfold. Its interpretive importance depends on the passage in which it appears rather than on any independent theological meaning of the word itself. For that reason, it is best handled as a Greek lexical/background entry. Dictionaries may note it when explaining a specific text, but it should not be treated as a standalone doctrine.",
  "background_biblical_context": "The term appears in Gospel narratives involving courtyards and enclosed spaces, including the high priest’s courtyard scenes in the passion accounts and the sheepfold imagery in John 10. In those passages, the word helps locate the action and shape the imagery, but the theological weight comes from the surrounding context, not the noun itself.",
  "background_historical_context": "In the Greco-Roman and Jewish world, aulē could refer to an interior court of a house, a palace court, or a fenced enclosure used for security or livestock. That everyday background helps explain why the term can describe both domestic and narrative settings in the New Testament.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "In ancient Jewish settings, courtyards were common features of homes, temple-adjacent spaces, and public or official buildings. The word can therefore evoke ordinary lived space, social access, and separation, depending on the passage.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Matthew 26:3, 58, 69",
    "Mark 14:54, 66",
    "Luke 22:55",
    "John 10:1, 16",
    "John 18:15"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "John 18:16-18",
    "Matthew 26:57-68",
    "Mark 14:53-65",
    "Luke 22:54-71"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "Greek αὐλή (aulē) generally means a courtyard, court, enclosed area, or sheepfold depending on context.",
  "theological_significance": "Aulē has limited direct theological significance of its own. Its value is lexical and contextual: it helps readers understand the setting of key narratives and the imagery of John 10.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "This is a good example of how meaning in Scripture depends on context. A word can be ordinary in itself yet important for interpretation because it locates action, clarifies imagery, and shapes the reader’s understanding of the scene.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not overread aulē as if it were a doctrine. Its meaning is usually straightforward, and the theological message comes from the passage rather than from the word alone. In John 10, the sheepfold image should be interpreted in context, not turned into speculative symbolism.",
  "major_views_note": "There is little controversy over the basic meaning. The main contextual question is whether a particular occurrence should be rendered as courtyard, court, or sheepfold based on the surrounding passage.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "Aulē is a lexical and background term, not a doctrine. It should not be used to build separate theological systems or hidden meanings.",
  "practical_significance": "Knowing this word helps Bible readers follow Gospel scenes more accurately, especially the passion narratives and John 10. It also reinforces careful attention to context when reading Scripture.",
  "meta_description": "Aulē is a Greek word meaning courtyard, court, or enclosed area. In the New Testament it is mainly a setting term, not a doctrine.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/aul/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/aul.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}