primarily "a fencing in" (akin to phrasso, "to fence in, stop, close"), is used metaphorically in Ephesians 2:14 , of "the middle wall of partition;" "the partition" is epexegetic of "the middle wall," namely, the "partition" between Jew and Gentile. J. A. Robinson suggests that Paul had in mind the barrier between the outer and inner courts of the Temple, notices fixed to which warned Gentiles not to proceed further on pain of death (see Josephus, Antiq. xv. 11. 5; B. J. v. 5. 2; vi. 2. 4; cp. Acts 21:29 ). See HEDGE.