In biblical times, the concept of barracks as we understand them today—a large building or group of buildings used to house soldiers—was not as prevalent. However, the term "barracks" is used in some modern Bible translations to describe places where soldiers were stationed or housed, particularly in the context of the Roman military presence in Judea during the New Testament period.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 21:34-37 : The Apostle Paul, during his missionary journeys, encountered Roman soldiers who took him into the barracks for his protection and to ascertain the cause of the uproar among the people. The passage states, "Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, and some another. And since the commander could not determine the facts because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. When Paul reached the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob. For the crowd that followed kept shouting, 'Away with him!' As they were about to take him into the barracks, Paul said to the commander, 'May I say something to you?' 'Do you speak Greek?' he replied."

2. Acts 22:24 : Following the uproar, the Roman commander ordered Paul to be brought into the barracks for questioning. The text reads, "the commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to determine the reason for this outcry against him."

3. Acts 23:10 : The barracks again serve as a place of refuge for Paul when a violent dispute arises. "The dispute became so violent that the commander feared they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks."

4. Acts 23:16-22 : The barracks are mentioned in the context of a plot against Paul's life. Paul's nephew learns of the plot and informs Paul, who then has the young man taken to the commander. The commander listens to the warning and takes steps to protect Paul, demonstrating the strategic importance of the barracks as a place of safety and military command.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Roman military presence in Judea was significant during the time of the New Testament. Roman soldiers were stationed in various locations to maintain order and enforce Roman law. The barracks, therefore, were not only places of residence for soldiers but also centers of military administration and control. They were typically located in strategic areas, such as Jerusalem, to ensure quick response to any disturbances.

The presence of Roman barracks in Jerusalem highlights the political and social tensions of the time. The Jewish population often resented Roman occupation, and the barracks symbolized the power and authority of the Roman Empire. This tension is evident in the accounts of Paul's interactions with Roman soldiers and officials, as seen in the book of Acts.

Theological Implications:

The references to barracks in the New Testament underscore the theme of God's providence and protection over His servants. Despite the hostility and danger Paul faced, the Roman barracks became a place of refuge and safety, illustrating how God can use even secular institutions to fulfill His purposes. The barracks also serve as a backdrop for the unfolding of God's plan for Paul to testify in Rome, as promised by the Lord in Acts 23:11: "Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome."

In summary, while the term "barracks" may not appear frequently in the Bible, its presence in the New Testament narrative provides insight into the historical context of Roman rule and the divine orchestration of events in the early Christian church.3925b. parembole -- an insertion, an army in battle array ...
... 3925a, 3925b. parembole. 3926 . an insertion, an army in battle array, barracks.
Transliteration: parembole Short Definition: barracks. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3925b.htm - 5k

3925. parembole -- to put in beside or between, interpose
... or between, interpose. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: parembole
Phonetic Spelling: (par-em-bol-ay') Short Definition: a camp, barracks, army in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3925.htm - 6k

Visits to Kinsale and Cork
... After sermon came one from Cork and informed us Mr. W"- had preached both morning
and afternoon under the wall of the barracks; that the town drummers came ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/visits to kinsale and cork.htm

The Czar and the Soldier.
... That night as he sat in his barracks, heart-broken at the prospect before him, he
thought he would take up a paper and figure up his debts, and see how he stood ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/the czar and the soldier.htm

Excursus on the Conciliabulum Styling Itself the Seventh ...
... language which entertained the Emperor. Monasteries were destroyed, made
into barracks, or secularized. Lachanodraco, governor of the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the conciliabulum styling.htm

Visit to Cities in the North-West and to Kumaon --Visit to England ...
... commenced. For a time two such services were held, one in the Mission chapel,
and another in the schoolroom of the cavalry barracks. ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xix visit to cities.htm

San Josef
... place a collar round his neck, which is called a stock, and which to him is cruel
torture"above all, to confine him every night to his barracks"are almost ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter ix san josef.htm

The Blind Watchers at the Cross
... So much, and not one whit more, did these men know of what they were doing; and
they went back to their barracks, stolid and unconcerned, and utterly ignorant ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the blind watchers at the.htm

Note a the Following Extract of a Letter I Received from the Rev. ...
... Albany, Oct.26, 1813. "This moment I have returned from a visit to the barracks,
in Greenbush, in company with brother Merwin. "Having ...
/.../note a the following extract.htm

The End
... Baptist. 170. Paul was not kept in close confinement; he had at least
the range of the barracks in which he was detained. There ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stalker/the life of st paul/chapter x the end.htm

The Record of a Quaker Conscience
... comfort. Sweet was his converse and long to be remembered, as we lay together
that warm summer night on the straw of the barracks. ...
/.../the record of a quaker.htm

From the Commencement of the Revolution in 1776, to Its ...
... of this abandonment of the city for so long a time was, that the British troops
had it in possession, and had converted the meeting house into barracks for the ...
/.../chapter 2 from the commencement.htm

Barracks (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Barracks (6 Occurrences). ... When he couldn't find out the
truth because of the noise, he commanded him to be brought into the barracks. ...
/b/barracks.htm - 8k

Barrack (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To supply with barracks; to establish in barracks; as, to barrack troops.
4. (vi) To live or lodge in barracks. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/b/barrack.htm - 7k

Tribune (18 Occurrences)
... some another, until, as the uproar made it impossible for the truth to be ascertained
with certainty, the Tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks. ...
/t/tribune.htm - 12k

Commanding (79 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Acts 21:37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the
commanding officer, "May I speak to you?" He said, "Do you know Greek? (WEB). ...
/c/commanding.htm - 31k

Officer (70 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Acts 21:37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the
commanding officer, "May I speak to you?" He said, "Do you know Greek? (WEB). ...
/o/officer.htm - 30k

Ordered (264 Occurrences)
... some another, until, as the uproar made it impossible for the truth to be ascertained
with certainty, the Tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks. ...
/o/ordered.htm - 34k

Praetorium (8 Occurrences)
... Herod's Palace: The Pretorium where Jesus was brought to trial has been traditionally
located in the neighborhood of the present Turkish barracks where once ...
/p/praetorium.htm - 14k

Shouted (65 Occurrences)
... When he couldn't find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded him
to be brought into the barracks. (WEB WEY ASV RSV NIV). ...
/s/shouted.htm - 26k

Shouting (83 Occurrences)
... crowd. When he couldn't find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded
him to be brought into the barracks. (See NAS). Acts ...
/s/shouting.htm - 31k

Commanded (553 Occurrences)
... When he couldn't find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded him
to be brought into the barracks. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/c/commanded.htm - 35k

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