Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of "baggage" encompassed more than just personal belongings; it often included the equipment and supplies necessary for travel, warfare, and daily life. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting both literal and metaphorical meanings.
Old Testament References1.
Genesis 31:37 · In the account of Jacob and Laban, Jacob challenges Laban to find anything of his in the baggage. This passage highlights the use of baggage as a means of transporting personal and household items during travel. "Now that you have searched all my goods, what have you found of your household items? Set it here before my brothers and yours, and let them judge between the two of us."
2.
1 Samuel 10:22 · When Saul was chosen to be king, he was found hiding among the baggage. This incident illustrates the use of baggage as a storage area during large gatherings. "So they inquired further of the LORD, 'Has the man come here yet?' And the LORD replied, 'He is hiding among the baggage.'"
3.
1 Samuel 17:22 · David left his baggage with the keeper of supplies when he went to the battlefield to see his brothers. This demonstrates the organized manner in which baggage was managed during military campaigns. "David left his supplies with the keeper of the baggage and ran to the battle lines to greet his brothers."
New Testament ReferencesWhile the New Testament does not frequently mention baggage in the same context as the Old Testament, the concept of carrying burdens or loads is present, often with a spiritual or metaphorical implication.
1.
Matthew 11:28-30 · Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest, offering a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. This passage, while not directly mentioning baggage, speaks to the spiritual burdens that individuals carry. "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."
2.
Galatians 6:2 · Paul encourages believers to bear one another's burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ. This reflects the communal responsibility to support each other, akin to sharing the load of physical baggage. "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Israel, baggage was an essential part of daily life, especially for nomadic tribes and during times of war. It included tents, cooking utensils, clothing, and other necessities. The management of baggage was crucial for the efficiency and success of travel and military operations. The role of baggage bearers was significant, as they ensured that the supplies were transported safely and were readily available when needed.
Spiritual ImplicationsThe concept of baggage in the Bible often extends beyond the physical to the spiritual realm. Believers are encouraged to lay aside every weight and sin that hinders their spiritual journey (
Hebrews 12:1). This metaphorical use of baggage serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual readiness and the need to rely on God's strength rather than being encumbered by worldly concerns.
In summary, baggage in the biblical context serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing both the practical aspects of life in ancient times and the deeper spiritual truths that continue to resonate with believers today.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The clothes, tents, utensils, and provisions of an army.
2. (n.) The trunks, valises, satchels, etc., which a traveler carries with him on a journey; luggage.
3. (n.) Purulent matter.
4. (n.) Trashy talk.
5. (n.) A man of bad character.
6. (n.) A woman of loose morals; a prostitute.
7. (n.) A romping, saucy girl.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BAGGAGEbag'aj:
(1) keli, ("the impedimenta of an army"): "David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the baggage" (1 Samuel 17:22); "at Michmash he layeth up his baggage" (Isaiah 10:28). The American Standard Revised Version gives baggage for "stuff" at1 Samuel 10:22;1 Samuel 25:13;1 Samuel 30:24.
(2) aposkeue: "Beside the baggage" (Judith 7:2), "a great ado and much baggage" (1 Maccabees 9:35, 39), "the women and the children and also the baggage" (the King James Version "and other baggage"; 2 Maccabees 12:21).
(3) aposkeuazomai, ("to make ready for leaving," "to pack up baggage"): "We took up (made ready, Revised Version margin) our baggage" (Acts 21:15, the King James Version "carriages"), i.e. what they could carry-English: "luggage"; but others understand the term of the loading of the baggage animals.
M. O. Evans
CHRIST, INTERCESSION OF
SeeINTERCESSION OF CHRIST.
CHRIST, JESUS
SeeJESUS CHRIST.
CHRIST, PERSON OF
SeePERSON OF CHRIST.
CHRIST, TEMPTATION OF
SeeTEMPTATION OF CHRIST.
COMING OF CHRIST
See ADVENT; PAROUSIA.
CONDESCENSION, OF CHRIST
kon-de-sen'-shun.
SeeKENOSIS.
DAY OF CHRIST
SeeDAY OF THE LORD.
EXALTATION OF CHRIST, THE
SeeCHRIST, THE EXALTATION OF.
OFFICES OF CHRIST
SeeCHRIST, OFFICES OF.
PRIEST, CHRIST AS
SeeCHRIST, OFFICES OF.
Greek
384. anaskeuazo -- to pack upbaggage, dismantle... to pack up
baggage, dismantle. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anaskeuazo
Phonetic Spelling: (an-ask-yoo-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I pervert, unsettle
...643. aposkeuazo -- prepare, equip
... Word Origin variant reading for episkeuazo, qv. prepare, equip From apo and a
derivative of skeuos; to pack up (one's)baggage -- take up... Carriages....
Strong's Hebrew
3627. keli -- an article, utensil, vessel... Word Origin from kalah Definition an article, utensil, vessel NASB Word Usage armor
(24), armory* (1), article (10), articles (30), bag (2),
baggage (12), bags
...Library
At the Front or the Base
... But these were not useless, for the heavybaggage was left in their charge, and
the other four hundred were thus enabled to march more lightly, and therefore...
To J. Tarn, Esq. , Under-Treasurer of the British and Foreign...
... For expenses of conveying myself andbaggage to the custom-house wharf, and of getting
on board, 0 pounds, 6s, 0d....baggage to the hotel, etc., 0 pounds, 5s, 0d....
The Personality of Power.
... party of only a very few persons, mutually congenial, and personally agreeable,
one of whom is an experienced traveler, to whom checkingbaggage, buying tickets...
Synopsis. --The Present Net Results of the Discussion of the...
... former evidential value of miracles."Further insistence on this value a logical
blunder."The transfer of miracles from the artillery to thebaggage of the...
Lies that Walk
... Now, as you probably know, when people go to Europe some of the hotels paste labels
on your suit-cases and trunks when they take yourbaggage to the station....
How Titus Marched to Jerusalem, and How He was in Danger as He was...
... other auxiliaries with them; after whom followed those that were to prepare the
roads and measure out the camp; then came the commander'sbaggage, and after...
Money for Postage.
... All was hurry and confusion to me, as I had my eye on father, fearing he might fall,
it being very slippery, when thebaggage-master said, 'Your checks, madam...
The Revolution of 1911
... We were evidently not to be kept waiting, for the train stood ready on a siding,
and our slightbaggage was soon placed in the racks of the only third-class...
Crossing the Hellespont.
... First came the long trains ofbaggage, on mules, and camels, and horses, and other
beasts of burden, attended by the drivers, and the men who had thebaggage...
The Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Saviour (Nt Apocrypha)
... [1790]. 13. Going out thence, they came to a place where there were robbers who
had plundered several men of theirbaggage and clothes, and had bound them....
Thesaurus
Baggage (15 Occurrences)... 5. (n.) A man of bad character. 6. (n.) A woman of loose morals; a prostitute. 7.
(n.) A romping, saucy girl. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BAGGAGE.
...Baggage-cattle (1 Occurrence)
Baggage-cattle.Baggage,Baggage-cattle. Bago . Multi-Version
ConcordanceBaggage-cattle (1 Occurrence). Acts 21:15...
Captive's (5 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 46:19 Thou, inhabitress, daughter of Egypt, furnish for thyself a captive's
baggage, for Noph shall be a desolation and shall be ruined, so that none...
Carriage (32 Occurrences)
... In 1 Samuel 17:22 and Isaiah 10:28 it is the rendering of a word ("stuff"
in 1 Samuel 10:22) meaning implements, equipments,baggage....
Supplies (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:22 David left hisbaggage in the hand of the keeper of thebaggage,
and ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. (See NIV)....
Lines (42 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Samuel 17:22 David left hisbaggage in the hand of the keeper of the
baggage, and ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. (See NIV)....
Greeted (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:22 David left hisbaggage in the hand of the keeper of thebaggage,
and ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. (WEB JPS RSV NIV)....
Inhabitress (12 Occurrences)
... the midst of thee. (DBY). Jeremiah 10:17 Gather up thybaggage out of the
land, O inhabitress of the fortress. (DBY). Jeremiah 21:13...
Check (9 Occurrences)
... by which, errors may be prevented, or a thing or person may be identified; as, checks
placed against items in an account; a check given forbaggage; a return...
Greet (46 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). 1 Samuel 17:22 David left hisbaggage in the hand of the keeper of
thebaggage, and ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers....
Resources
Is belief in the Great Architect of the Universe (GAOTU) the same thing as belief in the God of the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgIs God imaginary? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of Hebrews 12:2? | GotQuestions.orgBaggage: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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