In biblical times, the concept of "baggage" encompassed more than just personal belongings; it often included the equipment and supplies necessary for travel, warfare, and daily life. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting both literal and metaphorical meanings.

Old Testament References

1. Genesis 31:37 · In the account of Jacob and Laban, Jacob challenges Laban to find anything of his in the baggage. This passage highlights the use of baggage as a means of transporting personal and household items during travel. "Now that you have searched all my goods, what have you found of your household items? Set it here before my brothers and yours, and let them judge between the two of us."

2. 1 Samuel 10:22 · When Saul was chosen to be king, he was found hiding among the baggage. This incident illustrates the use of baggage as a storage area during large gatherings. "So they inquired further of the LORD, 'Has the man come here yet?' And the LORD replied, 'He is hiding among the baggage.'"

3. 1 Samuel 17:22 · David left his baggage with the keeper of supplies when he went to the battlefield to see his brothers. This demonstrates the organized manner in which baggage was managed during military campaigns. "David left his supplies with the keeper of the baggage and ran to the battle lines to greet his brothers."

New Testament References

While the New Testament does not frequently mention baggage in the same context as the Old Testament, the concept of carrying burdens or loads is present, often with a spiritual or metaphorical implication.

1. Matthew 11:28-30 · Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest, offering a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. This passage, while not directly mentioning baggage, speaks to the spiritual burdens that individuals carry. "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."

2. Galatians 6:2 · Paul encourages believers to bear one another's burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ. This reflects the communal responsibility to support each other, akin to sharing the load of physical baggage. "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, baggage was an essential part of daily life, especially for nomadic tribes and during times of war. It included tents, cooking utensils, clothing, and other necessities. The management of baggage was crucial for the efficiency and success of travel and military operations. The role of baggage bearers was significant, as they ensured that the supplies were transported safely and were readily available when needed.

Spiritual Implications

The concept of baggage in the Bible often extends beyond the physical to the spiritual realm. Believers are encouraged to lay aside every weight and sin that hinders their spiritual journey (Hebrews 12:1). This metaphorical use of baggage serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual readiness and the need to rely on God's strength rather than being encumbered by worldly concerns.

In summary, baggage in the biblical context serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing both the practical aspects of life in ancient times and the deeper spiritual truths that continue to resonate with believers today.1. (n.) The clothes, tents, utensils, and provisions of an army.

2. (n.) The trunks, valises, satchels, etc., which a traveler carries with him on a journey; luggage.

3. (n.) Purulent matter.

4. (n.) Trashy talk.

5. (n.) A man of bad character.

6. (n.) A woman of loose morals; a prostitute.

7. (n.) A romping, saucy girl.

BAGGAGE

bag'aj:

(1) keli, ("the impedimenta of an army"): "David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the baggage" (1 Samuel 17:22); "at Michmash he layeth up his baggage" (Isaiah 10:28). The American Standard Revised Version gives baggage for "stuff" at 1 Samuel 10:22; 1 Samuel 25:13; 1 Samuel 30:24.

(2) aposkeue: "Beside the baggage" (Judith 7:2), "a great ado and much baggage" (1 Maccabees 9:35, 39), "the women and the children and also the baggage" (the King James Version "and other baggage"; 2 Maccabees 12:21).

(3) aposkeuazomai, ("to make ready for leaving," "to pack up baggage"): "We took up (made ready, Revised Version margin) our baggage" (Acts 21:15, the King James Version "carriages"), i.e. what they could carry-English: "luggage"; but others understand the term of the loading of the baggage animals.

M. O. Evans

CHRIST, INTERCESSION OF

See INTERCESSION OF CHRIST.

CHRIST, JESUS

See JESUS CHRIST.

CHRIST, PERSON OF

See PERSON OF CHRIST.

CHRIST, TEMPTATION OF

See TEMPTATION OF CHRIST.

COMING OF CHRIST

See ADVENT; PAROUSIA.

CONDESCENSION, OF CHRIST

kon-de-sen'-shun.

See KENOSIS.

DAY OF CHRIST

See DAY OF THE LORD.

EXALTATION OF CHRIST, THE

See CHRIST, THE EXALTATION OF.

OFFICES OF CHRIST

See CHRIST, OFFICES OF.

PRIEST, CHRIST AS

See CHRIST, OFFICES OF.

384. anaskeuazo -- to pack up baggage, dismantle
... to pack up baggage, dismantle. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anaskeuazo
Phonetic Spelling: (an-ask-yoo-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I pervert, unsettle ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/384.htm - 7k

643. aposkeuazo -- prepare, equip
... Word Origin variant reading for episkeuazo, qv. prepare, equip From apo and a
derivative of skeuos; to pack up (one's) baggage -- take up... Carriages. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/643.htm - 6k

3627. keli -- an article, utensil, vessel
... Word Origin from kalah Definition an article, utensil, vessel NASB Word Usage armor
(24), armory* (1), article (10), articles (30), bag (2), baggage (12), bags ...
/hebrew/3627.htm - 6k

At the Front or the Base
... But these were not useless, for the heavy baggage was left in their charge, and
the other four hundred were thus enabled to march more lightly, and therefore ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/at the front or the.htm

To J. Tarn, Esq. , Under-Treasurer of the British and Foreign ...
... For expenses of conveying myself and baggage to the custom-house wharf, and of getting
on board, 0 pounds, 6s, 0d. ... baggage to the hotel, etc., 0 pounds, 5s, 0d. ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to j tarn esq under-treasurer.htm

The Personality of Power.
... party of only a very few persons, mutually congenial, and personally agreeable,
one of whom is an experienced traveler, to whom checking baggage, buying tickets ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the personality of power.htm

Synopsis. --The Present Net Results of the Discussion of the ...
... former evidential value of miracles."Further insistence on this value a logical
blunder."The transfer of miracles from the artillery to the baggage of the ...
/.../miracles and supernatural religion/ii synopsis the present net results.htm

Lies that Walk
... Now, as you probably know, when people go to Europe some of the hotels paste labels
on your suit-cases and trunks when they take your baggage to the station. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/lies that walk.htm

How Titus Marched to Jerusalem, and How He was in Danger as He was ...
... other auxiliaries with them; after whom followed those that were to prepare the
roads and measure out the camp; then came the commander's baggage, and after ...
/.../chapter 2 how titus marched.htm

Money for Postage.
... All was hurry and confusion to me, as I had my eye on father, fearing he might fall,
it being very slippery, when the baggage-master said, 'Your checks, madam ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/money for postage.htm

The Revolution of 1911
... We were evidently not to be kept waiting, for the train stood ready on a siding,
and our slight baggage was soon placed in the racks of the only third-class ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xix the revolution of.htm

Crossing the Hellespont.
... First came the long trains of baggage, on mules, and camels, and horses, and other
beasts of burden, attended by the drivers, and the men who had the baggage ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter v crossing the hellespont.htm

The Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Saviour (Nt Apocrypha)
... [1790]. 13. Going out thence, they came to a place where there were robbers who
had plundered several men of their baggage and clothes, and had bound them. ...
/.../the arabic gospel of the infancy of the saviour/the arabic gospel of the.htm

Baggage (15 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A man of bad character. 6. (n.) A woman of loose morals; a prostitute. 7.
(n.) A romping, saucy girl. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BAGGAGE. ...
/b/baggage.htm - 13k

Baggage-cattle (1 Occurrence)
Baggage-cattle. Baggage, Baggage-cattle. Bago . Multi-Version
Concordance Baggage-cattle (1 Occurrence). Acts 21:15 ...
/b/baggage-cattle.htm - 6k

Captive's (5 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 46:19 Thou, inhabitress, daughter of Egypt, furnish for thyself a captive's
baggage, for Noph shall be a desolation and shall be ruined, so that none ...
/c/captive's.htm - 8k

Carriage (32 Occurrences)
... In 1 Samuel 17:22 and Isaiah 10:28 it is the rendering of a word ("stuff"
in 1 Samuel 10:22) meaning implements, equipments, baggage. ...
/c/carriage.htm - 19k

Supplies (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:22 David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the baggage,
and ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. (See NIV). ...
/s/supplies.htm - 13k

Lines (42 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Samuel 17:22 David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the
baggage, and ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. (See NIV). ...
/l/lines.htm - 19k

Greeted (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:22 David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the baggage,
and ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. (WEB JPS RSV NIV). ...
/g/greeted.htm - 11k

Inhabitress (12 Occurrences)
... the midst of thee. (DBY). Jeremiah 10:17 Gather up thy baggage out of the
land, O inhabitress of the fortress. (DBY). Jeremiah 21:13 ...
/i/inhabitress.htm - 10k

Check (9 Occurrences)
... by which, errors may be prevented, or a thing or person may be identified; as, checks
placed against items in an account; a check given for baggage; a return ...
/c/check.htm - 11k

Greet (46 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). 1 Samuel 17:22 David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of
the baggage, and ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. ...
/g/greet.htm - 19k

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