Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "pavilion" is used to describe a temporary shelter or tent, often associated with protection, refuge, or the presence of God. The concept of a pavilion is woven throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing both physical and spiritual shelter.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Hebrew word often translated as "pavilion" is "sukkah," which can mean a booth, hut, or tent. This term is notably used in the context of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), where the Israelites were commanded to dwell in booths as a reminder of their ancestors' journey through the wilderness (
Leviticus 23:42-43). The pavilion, in this sense, represents God's provision and protection during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.
In the Psalms, the imagery of a pavilion is used to convey God's protective presence.
Psalm 27:5 states, "For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me in the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock" . Here, the pavilion is a metaphor for divine refuge, emphasizing God's role as a protector in times of distress.
Psalm 31:20 further illustrates this concept: "You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues" . The pavilion is depicted as a secret place of safety, where believers are shielded from harm and slander.
Symbolism and Theological SignificanceThe pavilion serves as a powerful symbol of God's sheltering presence. It reflects the idea that God provides a safe haven for His people, both physically and spiritually. This imagery is consistent with the broader biblical theme of God as a refuge and fortress, as seen in passages like
Psalm 91:1-2: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust'" .
The pavilion also signifies the temporary nature of earthly life and the transient nature of human existence. Just as a tent is not a permanent dwelling, the pavilion reminds believers of the fleeting nature of life on earth and the eternal security found in God.
New Testament ParallelsWhile the specific term "pavilion" is not used in the New Testament, the concept of God providing shelter and refuge is echoed throughout. Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate source of protection and rest for believers. In
Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest, offering Himself as a spiritual refuge.
The Apostle Paul also speaks of the temporary nature of our earthly bodies, likening them to tents in
2 Corinthians 5:1: "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands" . This passage reinforces the idea of a temporary dwelling and points to the eternal security found in Christ.
In summary, the pavilion in biblical literature serves as a rich symbol of God's protection, provision, and the transient nature of earthly life. It underscores the assurance of divine refuge and the promise of eternal security for those who trust in the Lord.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A tent or tabernacle (
2 Samuel 22:12;
1 Kings 20:12-16), or enclosure (
Psalm 18:11;
27:5). In
Jeremiah 43:10 it probably denotes the canopy suspended over the judgement-seat of the king.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A temporary movable shelter; a large tent; a marquee; esp., a tent raised on posts.
2. (n.) A single body or mass of building, contained within simple walls and a single roof, whether insulated, as in the park or garden of a larger edifice, or united with other parts, and forming an angle or central feature of a large pile.
3. (n.) A flag, colors, ensign, or banner.
4. (n.) Same as Tent (Her.)
5. (n.) That part of a brilliant which lies between the girdle and collet.
6. (n.) The auricle of the ear; also, the fimbriated extremity of the Fallopian tube.
7. (n.) A covering; a canopy; figuratively, the sky.
8. (v. t.) To furnish or cover with, or shelter in, a tent or tents.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PAVILIONpa-vil'-yun: A covered place, booth, tent, in which a person may be kept hid or secret (cokh,Psalm 27:5; cukkah-the usual term-Psalm 31:20), or otherwise be withdrawn from view. The term is used with reference to God (2 Samuel 22:12Psalm 18:11); to kings drinking in privacy (1 Kings 20:12, 16); the Revised Version (British and American) gives "pavilion" for the King James Version "tabernacle" inJob 36:29Isaiah 4:6; while inNumbers 25:8 it substitutes this word, with the margin "alcove," for the King James Version "tent" (qubbah), andJeremiah 43:10, for "royal pavilion" (shaphrur), reads in the margin "glittering pavilion."
James Orr
Strong's Hebrew
8237. shaphrur -- perhaps splendor,pavilion, canopy... perhaps splendor,
pavilion, canopy. Transliteration: shaphrur or shaphrir Phonetic
Spelling: (shaf-roor') Short Definition: canopy.
... royal
pavilion.
...7900. sok -- booth,pavilion
... 7899, 7900. sok. 7901 . booth,pavilion. Transliteration: sok Phonetic
Spelling: (soke) Short Definition: tabernacle. Word Origin...
643. appeden -- a palace
... 642, 643. appeden. 644 . a palace. Transliteration: appeden Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-peh'-den) Short Definition:pavilion. Word Origin...
5521. sukkah -- a thicket, booth
... from sakak Definition a thicket, booth NASB Word Usage booth (1), Booths (9), booths
(8), canopies (1), canopy (1), hut (1), lair (1),pavilion (1), shelter (4...
5520. sok -- a thicket, covert, lair
... den,pavilion, tabernacle. From cakak; a hut (as of entwined boughs); also a lair --
covert, den,pavilion, tabernacle. see HEBREW cakak. 5519, 5520....
6898. qubbah -- a large vaulted tent
... tent (1). tent. From qabab; apavilion (as a domed cavity) -- tent. see HEBREW
qabab. 6897, 6898. qubbah. 6899 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
The Secret of hisPavilion
... The Secret of HisPavilion. Gerhard Ter Steegen Hosea 2:14. Allured into the
desert, with God alone, apart,. There spirit meeteth spirit...
The Lord Our Dwelling Place
... For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in hispavilion; in the... The "pride of
man" and the "strife of tongues" find no entrance into the "pavilion" of God....
Saint George Kills the Enchanter Osmond.
... In this extremity, after many days, they arrived before a richpavilion"all of green
and crimson, bordered with gold and azure"the hooks of ivory, the...
Of the Affectionate Languishing of the Heart Wounded with Love.
... consolations which my love gives me I be more fair than the rich tents of my Solomon
(I mean more fair than heaven, which is the inanimatepavilion of his...
Honorable Submission
... was pleased to the extent of presenting me with an extra three dollars and relieving
me from the dining room, she appointed me in charge of thepavilion, an out...
How Queen Ethelthryth Always Preserved Her virginity, and Her Body...
... And when, so many years after, her bones were to be taken out of the grave, apavilion
being spread over it, and all the congregation, the brothers on the one...
"The Pharaoh Drew Nigh"
... About the royalpavilion in triple cordon paced the noble body-guard of the Pharaoh....
"In his tent, yonder," pointing to a party-coloredpavilion....
The Ninth Commandment
... us, from flying upon us. Thou shalt keep them secretly in apavilion, from
the strife of tongues.' Psalm 31:20. There is, I suppose...
The Review of the Troops at Doriscus.
... At this feast the army in general ate, seated in groups upon the ground, in the
open air; but for Xerxes and the nobles of the court a greatpavilion was built...
Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others
... Childhood. The Cloven Rock. Sleeping and Waking. The Secret of HisPavilion. The
Gospel According to Paul. The Song of Christ. The Shepherd's Voice. The Wayside...
Thesaurus
Pavilion (11 Occurrences)... the sky. 8. (vt) To furnish or cover with, or shelter in, a tent or tents.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
PAVILION. pa-vil'-yun
...Covert (18 Occurrences)
... (ASV YLT RSV). Psalms 27:5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me secretly in
hispavilion. In the covert of his tabernacle he will hide me....
Canopy (8 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 18:11 He made darkness his hiding place, hispavilion around him,
darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. (See NAS RSV NIV)....
Shelter (36 Occurrences)
... (See JPS NAS). Psalms 27:5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me secretly in
hispavilion. In the covert of his tabernacle he will hide me....
Concealed (36 Occurrences)
... Psalms 27:5 For in the day of evil he will hide me in hispavilion; in the secret
of his tent will he keep me concealed: he will set me high upon a rock. (DBY)....
Hophra (1 Occurrence)
... mortar in the brickwork "which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house at Tahpanhes,"
and prophesied that Nebuchadrezzar would spread his royalpavilion over them...
Clouds (99 Occurrences)
... abundantly. (KJV WBS YLT NAS NIV). Job 36:29 Yes, can any understand the spreading
of the clouds, and the thunderings of hispavilion? (WEB...
Pavement (9 Occurrences)
Keepest (16 Occurrences)
... Psalms 31:20 Thou keepest them concealed in the secret of thy presence from the
conspiracies of man; thou hidest them in apavilion from the strife of tongues....
Noise (126 Occurrences)
... forth"; for "maketh a noise" (Jeremiah 4:19), "is disquieted"; for "the noise of
his tabernacle" (Job 36:29), "the thunderings of hispavilion"; for "make any...
Resources
What are the seven pillars of wisdom in Proverbs 9:1? | GotQuestions.orgPavilion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
