Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "carriage" referred to various means of transporting goods, people, or burdens. The concept of carriage in the Bible encompasses both literal and metaphorical uses, reflecting the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Hebrew word often translated as "carriage" is "massa," which generally means a burden or load. In the context of transportation, it refers to the goods or items being carried. For example, in
1 Samuel 17:22, David "left his carriage in the care of the keeper of the supplies" when he went to greet his brothers on the battlefield. Here, "carriage" refers to the supplies or provisions he brought with him.
In
Isaiah 46:1, the prophet speaks of the idols of Babylon being carried on beasts and cattle, emphasizing the futility of idol worship: "Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary." This passage uses the imagery of carriage to highlight the burdensome nature of false gods.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the concept of carriage is less frequently mentioned, but the idea of bearing burdens is present.
Acts 21:15 in the Berean Standard Bible states, "After these days, we packed up our things and went up to Jerusalem." The phrase "packed up our things" implies the act of preparing and carrying one's belongings, akin to the concept of carriage.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Israel, various methods of carriage were employed, including animals such as donkeys, camels, and oxen, which were used to transport goods and people. Carts and wagons were also common, especially for longer journeys or heavier loads. The use of animals and carts for carriage was a vital part of daily life, facilitating trade, travel, and communication.
The metaphorical use of carriage in the Bible often relates to the idea of bearing burdens, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.
Galatians 6:2 encourages believers to "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This reflects the communal and supportive nature of the early Christian community, emphasizing the importance of helping one another.
Symbolic SignificanceCarriage in the Bible can also symbolize the journey of faith and the responsibilities that come with it. The act of carrying burdens, whether literal or figurative, is a recurring theme that underscores the need for reliance on God and the support of the faith community. Jesus' invitation in
Matthew 11:28-30 to "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" offers a spiritual solution to the burdens of life, contrasting the heavy loads of the world with the light yoke of Christ.
In summary, the concept of carriage in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing the practical aspects of transportation and the deeper spiritual implications of bearing burdens. It serves as a reminder of the physical and spiritual journeys undertaken by the people of God throughout biblical history.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
CarriageThis word signifies what we now call "baggage." In the margin of (1 Samuel 17:20) and 1Sam 26:5-7 And there only, "carriage" is employed int he sense of a wagon or cart.
ATS Bible Dictionary
CarriageIn the Bible, usually means the baggage which formed the burden of a man of beast,Acts 21:15. Once it seems to indicate a circular trench or rampart of baggage, etc., around a camp, /1Sa 17:20.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
In the Authorized Version this word is found as the rendering of many different words. In
Judges 18:21 it means valuables, wealth, or booty. In Isaiah 46:1 (R.V., "the things that ye carried about") the word means a load for a beast of burden. 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. The phrase in
Acts 21:15, "We took up our carriages," means properly, "We packed up our baggage," as in the Revised Version.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) That which is carried; burden; baggage.
2. (n.) The act of carrying, transporting, or conveying.
3. (n.) The price or expense of carrying.
4. (n.) That which carries of conveys,
5. (n.) A wheeled vehicle for persons, esp. one designed for elegance and comfort.
6. (n.) A wheeled vehicle carrying a fixed burden, as a gun carriage.
7. (n.) A part of a machine which moves and carries of supports some other moving object or part.
8. (n.) A frame or cage in which something is carried or supported; as, a bell carriage.
9. (n.) The manner of carrying one's self; behavior; bearing; deportment; personal manners.
10. (n.) The act or manner of conducting measures or projects; management.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CARRIAGEkar'-ij (keli, kebhuddah, nesu'ah; episkeuasamenoi; the Revised Version (British and American) "We took up our baggage"; the American Revised Version, margin "made ready"): One or the other of the above words occurs in six different places and all have been translated in the King James Version by "carriage" in its obsolete meaning (Judges 18:211 Samuel 17:22 (twice);Isaiah 10:28;Isaiah 46:1Acts 21:15). In the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version these are translated by the more modern expressions "goods," "baggage," or "the things that you carried." In1 Samuel 17:20 the King James Version margin "place of the carriage" occurs as the equivalent of "trench." The Hebrew ma'galah may mean "the place of wagons" as translated in the Revised Version (British and American), as it is not at all improbable that the encampment was surrounded by the baggage train.
James A. Patch
Greek
4480. rhede -- a chariot... chariot. Of Latin origin; a rheda, ie Four-wheeled
carriage (wagon for riding) --
chariot. (redon) -- 1 Occurrence. 4479, 4480. rhede. 4481 . Strong's Numbers
2934. ktenos -- a beast of burden
... of burden Definition: a beast of burden (generally, a horse or mule) either for
riding or for carrying loads on its back, or for yoking to a cart orcarriage....
2647. kataluo -- to destroy, overthrow
... both lit. and met., (b) I unyoke, unharness acarriage horse or pack animal;
hence: I put up, lodge, find a lodging. Word Origin...
Strong's Hebrew
3520. kebuddah -- abundance, riches...carriage, all glorious, stately. Irreg. Feminine passive participle of kabad;
weightiness, ie Magnificence, wealth --
carriage, all glorious, stately.
...5385. nesuah -- what is borne about
...carriage. Or rather, nsutah {nes-oo-aw'}; feminine. Passive participle of nasa';
something borne, ie A load --carriage. see HEBREW nasa'. 5384, 5385....
3627. keli -- an article, utensil, vessel
... yokes (1). armour bearer, artillery, bag,carriage, furnish, furniture,
instrument, jewel,. From kalah; something prepared, ie Any...
Library
A LovelyCarriage.
... Hymns. Book 1. Hymn 1:36. [Supplement.] A lovelycarriage. 1 O 'tis a lovely
thing to see A man of prudent heart, Whose thoughts...
A LovelyCarriage. Matt. 10:16
... HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS IN THREE BOOKS. HYMN 36 A lovelycarriage. Matt. 10:16.
CM A lovelycarriage. Matt.10:16. O 'tis a lovely thing to see....
Chapter twelve
... Virginia did not answer, and the other girls were beginning to feel sober as
thecarriage turned into a street leading to the Rectangle....
The Pursuit
... Accordingly, bright and early the following morning, all three, with one of the
Kostkas' servants, drove out in acarriage over the Augsburg road....
Chapter twenty-one
... The Saturday afternoon matinee at the Auditorium in Chicago was just over and the
usual crowd was struggling to get to itscarriage before any one else....
The Red Shoes
... Suddenly a greatcarriage came by, and in thecarriage sat an old lady; she looked
at the little girl and felt pity for her and said to the clergyman:...
Lady Ann Erskine and Rowland Hill.
... tell it to you. While he was preaching in a park in London to a large
assemblage, she was passing in hercarriage. She said to her...
Troubles in Paris
... ill at Richelieu when the message reached him, and the Duchess d'Aiguillon, one
of the most devoted of his Ladies of Charity, sent a littlecarriage to fetch...
Women of the Frankish Church
... The Franks, having arrived with all speed, received her from the hands of Gondebaud,
put her into a coveredcarriage and escorted her to Clovis, together with...
Meanwhile Florian Varillo had not Gone to Naples. ...
... The man shouted an affirmative, and they clattered away through the streets,
Varillo shrinking back in thecarriage overcome by panic....
Thesaurus
Carriage (32 Occurrences)... 6. (n.) A wheeled vehicle carrying a fixed burden, as a gun
carriage.
... 8. (n.) A frame
or cage in which something is carried or supported; as, a bell
carriage.
...War-carriage (11 Occurrences)
War-carriage. War, War-carriage. War-carriages . Multi-Version
Concordance War-carriage (11 Occurrences). Exodus 14:6...
Carriage-towns (3 Occurrences)
Carriage-towns. Carriages,Carriage-towns.Carriage-wheels .
Multi-Version ConcordanceCarriage-towns (3 Occurrences)....
Carriage-wheels (1 Occurrence)
Carriage-wheels.Carriage-towns,Carriage-wheels. Carried .
Multi-Version ConcordanceCarriage-wheels (1 Occurrence)....
Carriage-horses (1 Occurrence)
Carriage-horses.Carriage,Carriage-horses. Carriages .
Multi-Version ConcordanceCarriage-horses (1 Occurrence). 1...
Drive (132 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To urge on and direct the motions of, as the beasts which draw a vehicle,
or the vehicle borne by them; hence, also, to take in acarriage; to convey...
Carriages (34 Occurrences)
... got together war-carriages and horsemen; he had one thousand, four hundred carriages
and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he kept, some in thecarriage-towns and...
Pole (21 Occurrences)
... slender piece of wood; a tall, slender piece of timber; the stem of a small tree
whose branches have been removed; as, specifically: (a) Acarriage pole, a...
Brake (80 Occurrences)
... cattle, horses, etc. 9. (vt) That part of acarriage, as of a movable
battery, or engine, which enables it to turn. 10. (n.) An...
Resources
Who are the daughters of Jerusalem in Song of Solomon? | GotQuestions.orgCarriage: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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