Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, a "coffer" refers to a chest or box used for storing valuable items, often made of wood and sometimes overlaid with precious metals. The term is not frequently used in most modern translations of the Bible, but it appears in certain contexts that highlight its significance in ancient Israelite culture and religious practices.
Biblical References:1.
1 Samuel 6:8, 11, 15 : The most notable mention of a coffer in the Bible is found in the narrative of the Ark of the Covenant's return by the Philistines. After suffering plagues, the Philistines decided to send the Ark back to Israel along with a guilt offering. They placed the Ark on a new cart and alongside it, a coffer containing gold objects as a guilt offering. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Take the Ark of the LORD and place it on the cart, and put the gold objects you are sending Him as a guilt offering in a box beside it. Then send it on its way." This coffer held the golden tumors and rats, symbols of the plagues that had afflicted them, acknowledging the power of the God of Israel.
2.
Cultural and Religious Significance: In ancient Israel, coffers were not only practical storage solutions but also held religious and cultural significance. They were often used to store sacred items, offerings, or treasures. The use of a coffer in the context of the Ark's return underscores the reverence and fear the Philistines had for the God of Israel, as they sought to appease Him with offerings.
3.
Symbolism: The coffer in 1 Samuel symbolizes the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and the necessity of atonement. The Philistines' act of placing the guilt offering in a coffer alongside the Ark signifies their recognition of the need to honor and respect the divine presence associated with the Ark.
4.
Construction and Design: While the Bible does not provide detailed descriptions of the coffers used, it is likely that they were constructed with care and possibly adorned to reflect their purpose of holding valuable or sacred items. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, such containers were often crafted from durable materials and could be ornately decorated, especially when intended for religious use.
5.
Broader Biblical Context: The concept of a coffer can be related to other biblical themes of storage and preservation, such as the Ark of the Covenant itself, which was a sacred chest containing the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. These items were preserved as a testimony to God's covenant and provision for His people.
In summary, the biblical use of a coffer, particularly in the context of 1 Samuel, highlights themes of reverence, atonement, and the acknowledgment of divine authority. It serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring God with offerings and recognizing His power and presence.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Coffer(argaz), a movable box hanging from the side of a cart. (1 Samuel 6:8,11,15) The word is found nowhere else.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The receptacle or small box placed beside the ark by the Philistines, in which they deposited the golden mice and the emerods as their trespass-offering (
1 Samuel 6:8, 11, 15).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A casket, chest, or trunk; especially, one used for keeping money or other valuables.
2. (n.) Fig.: Treasure or funds; -- usually in the plural.
3. (n.) A panel deeply recessed in the ceiling of a vault, dome, or portico; a caisson.
4. (n.) A trench dug in the bottom of a dry moat, and extending across it, to enable the besieged to defend it by a raking fire.
5. (n.) The chamber of a canal lock; also, a caisson or a cofferdam.
6. (v. t.) To put into a coffer.
7. (v. t.) To secure from leaking, as a shaft, by ramming clay behind the masonry or timbering.
8. (v. t.) To form with or in a coffer or coffers; to furnish with a coffer or coffers.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
COFFERkof'-er ('argaz): A small box such as that in which the Philistines placed their golden mice and other offerings in returning the Ark (1 Samuel 6:8, 11, 15).
Strong's Hebrew
712. argaz -- a box, chest...coffer. Perhaps from ragaz (in the sense of being suspended), a box (as a pannier) --
coffer. see HEBREW ragaz. 711, 712. argaz. 713 . Strong's Numbers.
1595. genez -- treasury, perhaps chests
... chest, treasury. From an unused root meaning to store; treasure; by implication,
acoffer -- chest, treasury. 1594, 1595. genez. 1596 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
The Ark among the Flags
... Miriam was probably the anxious sister who watched what became of the littlecoffer....
How much of the world's history that tinycoffer among the reeds held!...
Psalm LIII.
... that He may be made rich, on God doth not call: for upon that He calleth which to
himself he willeth to come....But now thou wouldest havecoffer full, and...
A Letter from Origen to Gregory.
... from the Egyptians the vessels in the holy of holies were made,"the ark with its
lid, and the Cherubim, and the mercy-seat, and the goldencoffer, where was...
Thou Shalt not Steal.
... For, as we have just said, to steal is to signify not only to empty our neighbor's
coffer and pockets, but to be grasping in the market, in all stores, booths...
What was Heard in the Basilica of Peace
... high above the heavy mass of architecture, resting upon slim aerial little columns,
a buoyant aediculus shines like a coral tabernacle or acoffer of yellow...
Of the Sibyl.
... we ourselves, when in that city, ascertained from our cicerone, who showed us the
places in which she used to prophesy, that there was a certaincoffer made of...
My God
... As the fountain in the garden,. As the candle in the dark,. As the treasure in
thecoffer,. As the manna in the ark,. So, Lord, art Thou to me....
Good or Bad Spirits?
... man with them. They began digging at eight, and after they had dug six
feet, saw the top of acoffer, or chest. But presently it...
Whether the Person Proceeding is Co-Eternal with his Principle, as...
... a species. The eleventh is the realization of an idea [ideatio], as an external
coffer arises from the one in the mind. The twelfth...
Psalm LXVII.
... If being good thou shalt have lost them, there is by thee the Comforter that hath
taken them away: thecoffer is emptied of gold; the heart is full of faith...
Thesaurus
Coffer (3 Occurrences)... 6. (vt) To put into a
coffer.
... 8. (vt) To form with or in a
coffer or coffers; to
furnish with a
coffer or coffers. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
COFFER.
...Box (13 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:8 and take the ark of Yahweh, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels
of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in acoffer by its...
Objects (30 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:8 and take the ark of Yahweh, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels
of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in acoffer by its...
Figures (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:8 and take the ark of Yahweh, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels
of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in acoffer by its...
Containing (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:11 and they put the ark of Yahweh on the cart, and thecoffer with
the mice of gold and the images of their tumors. (See NIV)....
Chest (15 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews 'aron, generally rendered "ark"), thecoffer
into which the contributions for the repair of the temple were put (2 Kings 12:9...
Jewels (54 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:8 and take the ark of Yahweh, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels
of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in acoffer by its...
Articles (78 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:8 And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the
jewels of gold, which ye return Him for a guilt-offering, in acoffer by the...
Ark (212 Occurrences)
... The sacred ark is designated by a different Hebrew word, 'aron', which is the common
name for a chest orcoffer used for any purpose (Genesis 50:26; 2 Kings 12...
Cart (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:8 and take the ark of Yahweh, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels
of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in acoffer by its...
Resources
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