Topical Encyclopedia
A trough, in biblical terms, refers to a long, narrow container used primarily for holding water or food for animals. This simple yet essential item is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, often symbolizing provision and sustenance.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, troughs are most notably mentioned in the context of the patriarchs and their livestock. In
Genesis 24:20, Rebekah is described as drawing water for Abraham's servant and his camels: "So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran back to the well to draw water, and she drew water for all his camels." This passage highlights the hospitality and diligence of Rebekah, as well as the practical use of troughs in daily life during biblical times.
Another significant mention is found in
Exodus 2:16, where the daughters of the priest of Midian come to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father's flock. This setting becomes the backdrop for Moses' first encounter with his future wife, Zipporah. The troughs here serve as a meeting place and a symbol of sustenance and community.
Symbolic MeaningTroughs, while primarily utilitarian, can also carry symbolic meaning in biblical narratives. They represent God's provision and care for His creation, as seen in the accounts of the patriarchs and their flocks. The act of filling a trough with water or food is an act of nurturing and sustaining life, reflecting God's ongoing provision for His people.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of a trough is indirectly referenced in the nativity account. Although the Berean Standard Bible does not explicitly use the word "trough," the manger in which Jesus was laid can be understood as a type of trough.
Luke 2:7 states, "And she gave birth to her firstborn 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, becomes a profound symbol of humility and the incarnation of Christ, who came to dwell among the lowly and provide spiritual sustenance to humanity.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Near Eastern culture, troughs were typically made of stone or wood and were essential for the care of livestock. They were often located near wells or water sources, facilitating the daily task of watering animals. The presence of troughs in biblical narratives underscores the agrarian lifestyle of the people and the importance of livestock in their economy and daily life.
ConclusionThe biblical references to troughs, while few, are rich in cultural and symbolic significance. They serve as reminders of God's provision and the humble circumstances of Christ's birth, inviting believers to reflect on themes of sustenance, hospitality, and divine care.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A long, hollow vessel, generally for holding water or other liquid, especially one formed by excavating a log longitudinally on one side; a long tray; also, a wooden channel for conveying water, as to a mill wheel.
2. (n.) Any channel, receptacle, or depression, of a long and narrow shape; as, trough between two ridges, etc.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TROUGHtrof.
SeeSHEEP TENDING;BREAD.
Greek
3025b. lenos -- atrough, ie a (wine) vat... 3025a, 3025b. lenos. 3026 . a
trough, ie a (wine) vat. Transliteration:
lenos Short Definition: winepress. Word Origin a prim. word
...5276. hupolenion -- a vessel ortrough beneath a winepress (to...
... a vessel ortrough beneath a winepress (to receive the juice). Part of Speech: Noun,
Neuter Transliteration: hupolenion Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-ol-ay'-nee-on...
3025. lenos -- receiving
... receiving. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: lenos Phonetic Spelling:
(lay-nos') Short Definition: a winepress Definition: atrough, vat, winepress...
5336. phatne -- a manger
... a manger. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: phatne Phonetic Spelling:
(fat'-nay) Short Definition: a manger, feeding-trough Definition: a manger...
Strong's Hebrew
8268. shoqeth -- wateringtrough... 8267, 8268. shoqeth. 8269 . watering
trough. Transliteration: shoqeth
Phonetic Spelling: (sho'-keth) Short Definition:
trough. Word
...4863. mishereth -- perhaps kneadingtrough
... mishereth. 4864 . perhaps kneadingtrough. Transliteration: mishereth Phonetic
Spelling: (mish-eh'-reth) Short Definition: bowl.... kneadingtrough, store....
7298. rahat -- atrough
... 7297, 7298. rahat. 7298a . atrough. Transliteration: rahat Phonetic Spelling:
(rah'-hat) Short Definition: gallery. gallery, gutter,trough...
18. ebus -- a crib, feedingtrough
... 17, 18. ebus. 19 . a crib, feedingtrough. Transliteration: ebus Phonetic
Spelling: (ay-booce') Short Definition: manger. Word Origin...
7298a. rahat -- atrough
... atrough. Transliteration: rahat Short Definition: gutters. Word Origin from an
unused word Definition atrough NASB Word Usage gutters (2), troughs (1)....
4857. mashab -- probably place of drawing (water)
... place of drawing water. From sha'ab; atrough for cattle to drink from -- place
of drawing water. see HEBREW sha'ab. 4856, 4857. mashab. 4858 ....
3342. yeqeb -- wine vat
... From an unused root meaning to excavate; atrough (as dug out); specifically, a
wine-vat (whether the lower one, into which the juice drains; or the upper, in...
6333b. purah -- wine press
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition wine press NASB Word Usage measures
(1), winetrough (1). 6333a, 6333b. purah. 6334 . Strong's Numbers.
7351. rahit -- perhaps rafters, boards
... rafter. From the same as rahat; a panel (as resembling atrough) -- rafter. see
HEBREW rahat. 7350, 7351. rahit. 7352 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
In Reply to the Questions as to his Authority, Jesus Gives the...
... Grapes were placed in the upper cavity, ortrough, and were trodden by foot.
The juice thus squeezed from them ran through the orifice...
Power of Water.
... water, and the power of the spirit which is in it,"suppose, for example, that a
hundred talents' weight of earth are placed in a very largetrough, and that...
How Does it Come?
... In driving between Melbourne and my home I often stop at a waysidetrough
to give the horse a drink. I notice that thetrough is...
Stillness in Storm
... fishermen and folk dwelling by the Sea of Galilee with its sudden squalls would
understand: 'Be not pitched about'; now on the crest, now in thetrough of the...
'Fragments' or 'Broken Pieces'
... The water in a mill-stream runs over thetrough in great abundance when the wheel
is not working, and one reason why so many Christians seem to have so much...
Open Sins
... The prodigal would not be in a hurry, you may depend upon it, to try the swinetrough
and the far country, and the rags, and the fever, and the famine any more...
Sin Laid on Jesus
... owner," nor even like the ass which "remembers its master's crib nor even like the
swine which if it wandereth all day long cometh back to thetrough at night...
Chaldaean Civilization
... A long narrowtrough of yellowish limestone stood in front of the palace, and was
raised on two steps: it was carved in relief on the outside with figures of...
The Primeval Hovering of the Spirit of God Over the Waters Typical...
... And accordingly it makes no difference whether a man be washed in a sea or a pool,
a stream or a fount, a lake or atrough; [8564] nor is there any distinction...
Christ's Birth
... It stood above the stonetrough lying on the ground, to the right of the entrance,
where the cave makes a big curve towards the south....
Thesaurus
Trough (7 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) Any channel, receptacle, or depression, of a long and narrow shape; as,
trough between two ridges, etc. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
TROUGH. trof.
...Kneading-trough (2 Occurrences)
Kneading-trough. Kneadingtrough, Kneading-trough. Kneadingtroughs . Easton's
Bible Dictionary... Multi-Version Concordance Kneading-trough (2 Occurrences)....
Drinking-trough (1 Occurrence)
Drinking-trough. Drinkings, Drinking-trough. Drinking-vessels .
Multi-Version Concordance Drinking-trough (1 Occurrence)....
Feeding (37 Occurrences)
... Luke 2:7 She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth,
and laid him in a feedingtrough, because there was no room for them in...
Wine-press (11 Occurrences)
Wine-press. Winepress, Wine-press. Winepresses . Easton's Bible Dictionary
Consisted of two vats or receptacles, (1) atrough (Hebrews gath, Gr....
Winepress (19 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Consisted of two vats or receptacles, (1) atrough
(Hebrews gath, Gr. lenos) into which the grapes were...
Shoe (13 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Atrough-shaped or spout-shaped member, put at the bottom of the water leader
coming from the eaves gutter, so as to throw the water off from the...
Kneading (7 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:5 Your basket and your kneadingtrough shall be blessed.... Deuteronomy
28:17 Your basket and your kneadingtrough shall be cursed....
Wrapped (40 Occurrences)
... Luke 2:7 She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth,
and laid him in a feedingtrough, because there was no room for them in...
Winefat (2 Occurrences)
... It properly denotes thetrough or lake (lacus), as it was called by the Romans,
into which the juice of the grapes ran from thetrough above it....
Resources
Why was Jesus born in a manger? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was Herod's temple? | GotQuestions.orgWhere was Jesus born? | GotQuestions.orgTrough: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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