Man’s first dwelling-place was the cave, or the tent, or the hut, in
which he made a home with his family. The threshold and hearth of that
dwelling-place was the boundary of his earthly possessions. It was the
sacred border or limit of the portion of the earth’s surface over which
he claimed control, and where he and his were under the special
protection of the deity with whom he was in covenant. Therefore the
threshold hearth was hallowed as a place of covenant worship.
As families were formed into tribes and communities, they came to have a
common ruler or priest, and his dwelling-place was counted by all as the
common center of covenant with their common deity; and when they would
worship that deity there, they worshiped at the threshold altar of his
sanctuary. So it was that the threshold was the place of the hearth-fire
and altar, in both house and temple.
When man acquired property rights beyond his dwelling-place, and
communities and peoples gained control over portions of country more or
less extensive, the boundary limits of their possessions were extended,
but were no less real and positive than before. The protecting deity of
the region thus bounded was recognized as having sway in that domain;
and those who were dwellers there were in covenant relations with him.
Therefore it was that the boundary line of such domain was deemed its
threshold, and as such was held sacred as a place of worship and of
sacrifice.