Deuteronomy 22:8

Of Protecting Roofs. Only in D. E, Exodus 21:33 f., exacts from him who leaves a pit open the price of a beast fallen into it, but says nothing as to houses. D's frequent reference to building is another sign of its later date. Neglect of this law would be punished under the laws on manslaughter and maiming. Battlement, Heb. ma-aḳeh, only here (cp. Ar. -akâ, -to hinder). Roof, Heb. gag, deriv. doubtful. Cf. Syr. geg, -plaster" (M'Lean Dict. of Vernac. Syriac). Blood, LXX φόνος.

Ḫammurabi fixes penalties for unsound building involving death or damage, § 229 233. In W. Asia roofs are flat, or where they are domed because timber is scarce, as in Jerusalem, flat terraces are left round the domes, so that they can be used for taking the air, private conversation, worship, etc., as in Joshua 2:6; 1 Samuel 9:26 2 Samuel 11:2; 2 Samuel 16:22; Isaiah 22:1; Jeremiah 19:13; Zephaniah 1:5; Matthew 24:17; Acts 10:9. In towns there is generally a stone-wall on the outside and a paling on the inside above the court. But Baldensperger says (PEFQ, 1904, 261), -the roof is designated ḥaiṭwhich means "protected," although, as a matter of fact, it is not protected at all on the most dangerous side."