Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, stalls were structures or enclosures used for housing animals, particularly livestock such as horses, cattle, and sheep. These stalls were essential for the agrarian lifestyle of ancient Israel and surrounding cultures, providing shelter and organization for animals that were vital to daily life, agriculture, and religious practices.
Old Testament ReferencesStalls are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often highlighting the wealth and prosperity of individuals or nations. In
1 Kings 4:26, the grandeur of King Solomon's reign is illustrated by the mention of his extensive stables: "Solomon had four thousand stalls for his chariot horses and twelve thousand horses." This passage underscores the king's wealth and the importance of horses for transportation and military purposes.
In
2 Chronicles 32:28, King Hezekiah's prosperity is described, including his provisions for livestock: "He made stalls for various kinds of cattle and pens for the flocks." This indicates the significance of animal husbandry in maintaining the economic stability and self-sufficiency of the kingdom.
Symbolic and Religious SignificanceStalls also appear in prophetic and poetic literature, often symbolizing abundance and divine blessing. In
Habakkuk 3:17, the prophet uses the absence of cattle in the stalls as a metaphor for desolation and hardship: "Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls." This imagery conveys a sense of complete barrenness, contrasting with the prosperity that full stalls would represent.
New Testament ContextWhile the New Testament does not frequently mention stalls, the concept remains relevant in understanding the socio-economic backdrop of the era. The presence of animals in the nativity account, for instance, suggests the use of a stable or stall-like setting for the birth of Jesus, as described in
Luke 2:7: "And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." The manger, a feeding trough for animals, implies the humble circumstances of Christ's birth, resonating with the imagery of stalls.
Cultural and Practical AspectsStalls were typically constructed from available materials such as wood, stone, or mud bricks, depending on the region and resources. They were designed to protect animals from harsh weather and predators, ensuring their health and productivity. The management of stalls and livestock was a crucial aspect of daily life, requiring knowledge and skill in animal husbandry.
In summary, stalls in the biblical context serve as a symbol of wealth, provision, and divine blessing, while also reflecting the practical realities of ancient agrarian societies. They are woven into the narrative of Scripture, illustrating both the material and spiritual dimensions of life in biblical times.
Strong's Hebrew
7517. repheth -- stable, stall... 7516, 7517. repheth. 7518 . stable, stall. Transliteration: repheth Phonetic
Spelling: (reh'-feth) Short Definition:
stalls. Word
...723a. urvah -- a manger, crib
... 723, 723a. urvah. 723b . a manger, crib. Transliteration: urvah Short
Definition:stalls. Word Origin from arah, see uryah Definition...
Library
"Pan, Pan is Dead"
... Then come sweet-stalls, clothes-stalls, lamp-stalls, fruit-stalls, book-stalls,
stalls of pottery, and brass vessels, and jewellery, and basket work, and...
The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign.
... But what must have appealed to every one in the land was the appearance of the
money-changers' (Shulchanim), who opened theirstalls in every country-town on...
Hymns of the Holy Eastern Church
... In some churches narrowstalls are built in which the worshipper can stand, leaning
forward, and resting his elbows during the long service; and in a church...
Christ Cleansing the Temple
... may be witnessed in any Roman Catholic country in the cathedral place or outside
the church on the saint's day, where there are long rows ofstalls, fitted up...
The Great Gain of Godliness
... of Solomon.26. And Solomon had forty thousandstalls of horses for his chariots,
and twelve thousand horsemen.27. And those officers...
Arrangement and Furniture of the Church
... The Choir- and Clergy-Stalls."It will be observed that thestalls for the clergy
and choristers are generally placed on the two sides of the choir and face...
Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force must Inevitably be...
... the better. But this is like saying that if the seed were ripe it ought at
once to bring forthstalls, flower, and fruit. The Christian...
The Worship of the Church
... 113 Staff, Bishop's . . . . . 112Stalls, choir and clergy . . . . .
47 Standing . . . . . 104 Star . . . . ....
It was Friday Night, and Diamond, Like the Rest of the Household.....
... the dusty window from a gas-lamp, sufficient to show him Diamond and Ruby with their
two heads up, looking at each other across the partition of theirstalls....
First Impressions
... In the apse was the Throne of the Patriarch and the synthronus, orstalls of
the presbyters, which were canopied and were of silver-gilt....
Thesaurus
Stalls (5 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Stalls (5 Occurrences).
... 1 Kings 4:26 Solomon had forty
thousand
stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
...Procured (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 32:28 storehouses also for the increase of corn and new wine and oil,
andstalls for all manner of beasts, and he procured flocks for thestalls....
Stall (7 Occurrences)
... It is enclosed, either wholly or partially, at the back and sides. Thestalls
are frequently very rich, with canopies and elaborate carving....
Yield (78 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 32:28 storehouses also for the increase of grain and new wine and oil;
andstalls for all manner of animals, and flocks in folds. (See RSV)....
Horsemen (63 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). 1 Kings 4:26 Solomon had forty thousand
stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen....
Kinds (110 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 32:28 and storehouses for the increase of corn, and new wine, and oil,
andstalls for all kinds of cattle, and herds forstalls; (YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
12000 (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 9:25 Solomon had four thousandstalls for horses and chariots, and
twelve thousand horsemen, that he stationed in the chariot cities, and with the...
Folds (18 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 32:28 storehouses also for the increase of grain and new wine and
oil; andstalls for all manner of animals, and flocks in folds....
Endirons
... In text, both the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American),
"hooks," denotingstalls or places for the fastening of victims for...
Pens (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). 2 Chronicles 32:28 storehouses also for the increase of grain and new
wine and oil; andstalls for all manner of animals, and flocks in folds....
Resources
How can we learn to trust God like the prophet Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:17-19)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about androgyny? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God makes our feet like the feet of a deer (Habakkuk 3:19)? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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