Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, homes are more than mere physical structures; they are places of family, worship, and community. The concept of a home is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, reflecting both the physical and spiritual dimensions of life.
Old TestamentIn the Old Testament, homes were often simple structures made from materials readily available in the region, such as mud bricks, stone, and wood. The patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, lived in tents as they were nomadic herders (
Genesis 12:8, 26:25). These tents served as their homes and were central to their family life and worship.
The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land involved living in temporary shelters, which underscored their dependence on God for provision and protection (
Exodus 12:37). Once settled in Canaan, homes became more permanent. The Book of Deuteronomy emphasizes the importance of teaching God's commandments within the home: "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (
Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
The home was also a place of hospitality and refuge. The account of the widow of Zarephath who provided for Elijah during a famine (
1 Kings 17:8-16) illustrates the role of homes as places of divine provision and blessing.
New TestamentIn the New Testament, homes continue to play a significant role in the life of believers. Jesus often visited homes, using them as venues for teaching and performing miracles. For instance, He healed Peter's mother-in-law in her home (
Mark 1:29-31) and raised Jairus's daughter from the dead in her home (
Mark 5:35-43).
The early Christian church frequently met in homes, which served as the primary gathering places for worship and fellowship.
Acts 2:46 describes the early believers: "With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart" . This practice highlights the home as a center for spiritual growth and community life.
The apostle Paul, in his letters, often sends greetings to churches that meet in homes, such as the church in the house of Priscilla and Aquila (
Romans 16:3-5). This underscores the importance of the home as a foundational unit for the early church's expansion and ministry.
Symbolism and Spiritual SignificanceHomes in the Bible also carry symbolic and spiritual significance. They represent stability, security, and a place of rest.
Psalm 127:1 states, "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain" , emphasizing the need for divine involvement in establishing a home.
Moreover, the concept of a heavenly home is a recurring theme, offering hope and assurance of eternal life. Jesus comforts His disciples with the promise of preparing a place for them: "In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" (
John 14:2). This promise reflects the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan for His people to dwell with Him eternally.
In summary, homes in the Bible are multifaceted, serving as places of family life, worship, hospitality, and spiritual growth. They are integral to the narrative of God's relationship with His people, both in the temporal and eternal sense.
Greek
4634. skenopegia -- the setting up of tents... tabernacles. From skenos and pegnumi; the Festival of Tabernacles (so called from
the custom of erecting booths for temporary
homes) -- tabernacles.
...3624. oikos -- a house, a dwelling
... word Definition a house, a dwelling NASB Word Usage descendants (1), families (1),
family (1), home (18),homes (2), house (79), household (14), households (1...
848. hautou -- her own, his own, their own, themselves, they.
... Word Origin see heautou NASB Word Usage each other (1), himself (2), home (1),homes
(1), themselves (1). her own, his own, their own, themselves, they....
Strong's Hebrew
2723. chorbah -- waste, desolation, ruin... Word Origin from chareb Definition waste, desolation, ruin NASB Word Usage deserts
(1), desolation (4), desolations (1), ruin (6), ruined
homes (1), ruins (11
...1004. bayith -- a house
... 2), faced inward (1), family (2), family* (1), guard* (1), hall (1), hangings (1),
harem* (5), holders (7), home (33), homeborn* (2),homes (2), house (1534...
Library
JewishHomes
... Chapter 6 JewishHomes. It may be safely asserted, that the grand distinction,
which divided all mankind into Jews and Gentiles, was...
Her Eyes areHomes of Silent Prayer,
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCCCXXI Her eyes arehomes of silent prayer,.
Nor other thought her mind admits But, he was dead, and there he sits,....
In theHomes of the People
... IX IN THEHOMES OF THE PEOPLE.... To get amongst the people in theirhomes, to share
in their joys and sorrows, to understand something of their sins!...
The Friend of Men 223 in Nothing Does the Contrast Between Jesus...
... John had his training and did his work apart from thehomes of men.... They then returned
to theirhomes and their work. I The Friend of Men 223....
Revival in the Home
... Revival is desperately needed in the church"in the country"in the world, but
a revived church with unrevivedhomes would be sheer hypocrisy....
The Springs of Social Life.
... are kept. Thousands ofhomes like this there are, all around us. It describes
the largest class ofhomes, we may believe. And who...
Family Religion.
... well your own houses; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs."
The same family religion was a prominent feature of thehomes of the...
Questions and Answers--Sorrowful Cases--Testimonies from those who...
... Since the above was written other young emigrants, now married and settled inhomes
of their own, have offered to adopt orphans and children, homeless as they...
Easter Day.
... They went away from the very sight, if I may so speak, of Christ risen, to their
ownhomes. And what thoughts do we suppose that they carried with them?...
Appointment to Bareilly
... with several of the wealthy and influential natives of the city, and Mrs. Thomas
welcomed the opportunity to introduce her doctor friend to thesehomes....
Thesaurus
Homes (43 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Homes (43 Occurrences).
... Luke 18:28 Then Peter said, "See,
we have given up our
homes and have followed you." (WEY NAS RSV).
...Ephesus (20 Occurrences)
... founded, not by Paul's personal labours, but by missionaries whom he may have sent
out from Ephesus, and by the influence of converts returning to theirhomes....
Contempt (55 Occurrences)
... For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (See NAS). 1 Corinthians
11:22 Why, have you nohomes in which to eat and drink?...
Feel (58 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 11:22 Why, have you nohomes in which to eat and drink? Or
do you wish to show your contempt for the Church of God...
Stork (6 Occurrences)
... The Hebrew word chaidhah, from which the stork took its name, means "kindness."
There is a smaller stork having a black neck and back, thathomes in Palestine...
Ashamed (131 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Corinthians 11:22 Why, have you nohomes in which to eat and
drink? Or do you wish to show your contempt for the Church...
Oil (281 Occurrences)
... In thehomes the oil is kept in small earthen jars of various shapes, usually having
spouts by which the oil can be easily poured (1 Kings 17:12 2 Kings 4:2...
Home (270 Occurrences)
... John 7:53 [So they went away to their severalhomes; (Root in WEY DBY NAS NIV)....
John 20:10 So the disciples went away again to their ownhomes....
Home (270 Occurrences)
... John 7:53 [So they went away to their severalhomes; (Root in WEY DBY NAS NIV)....
John 20:10 So the disciples went away again to their ownhomes....
Matter (263 Occurrences)
... (ASV). 1 Corinthians 11:22 Why, have you nohomes in which to eat and drink?
Or do you wish to show your contempt for the Church...
Resources
Is it wrong for a Christian family to put a loved one into a nursing home? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that a biblical passage is descriptive rather than prescriptive? | GotQuestions.orgIs it wrong to live in nice houses (Haggai 1:4)? | GotQuestions.orgHomes: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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