In biblical times, the term "carriage" referred to various means of transporting goods, people, or burdens. The concept of carriage in the Bible encompasses both literal and metaphorical uses, reflecting the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East.

Old Testament References

The Hebrew word often translated as "carriage" is "massa," which generally means a burden or load. In the context of transportation, it refers to the goods or items being carried. For example, in 1 Samuel 17:22, David "left his carriage in the care of the keeper of the supplies" when he went to greet his brothers on the battlefield. Here, "carriage" refers to the supplies or provisions he brought with him.

In Isaiah 46:1, the prophet speaks of the idols of Babylon being carried on beasts and cattle, emphasizing the futility of idol worship: "Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary." This passage uses the imagery of carriage to highlight the burdensome nature of false gods.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of carriage is less frequently mentioned, but the idea of bearing burdens is present. Acts 21:15 in the Berean Standard Bible states, "After these days, we packed up our things and went up to Jerusalem." The phrase "packed up our things" implies the act of preparing and carrying one's belongings, akin to the concept of carriage.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, various methods of carriage were employed, including animals such as donkeys, camels, and oxen, which were used to transport goods and people. Carts and wagons were also common, especially for longer journeys or heavier loads. The use of animals and carts for carriage was a vital part of daily life, facilitating trade, travel, and communication.

The metaphorical use of carriage in the Bible often relates to the idea of bearing burdens, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Galatians 6:2 encourages believers to "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This reflects the communal and supportive nature of the early Christian community, emphasizing the importance of helping one another.

Symbolic Significance

Carriage in the Bible can also symbolize the journey of faith and the responsibilities that come with it. The act of carrying burdens, whether literal or figurative, is a recurring theme that underscores the need for reliance on God and the support of the faith community. Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 to "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" offers a spiritual solution to the burdens of life, contrasting the heavy loads of the world with the light yoke of Christ.

In summary, the concept of carriage in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing the practical aspects of transportation and the deeper spiritual implications of bearing burdens. It serves as a reminder of the physical and spiritual journeys undertaken by the people of God throughout biblical history.Carriage

This word signifies what we now call "baggage." In the margin of (1 Samuel 17:20) and 1Sam 26:5-7 And there only, "carriage" is employed int he sense of a wagon or cart.

Carriage

In the Bible, usually means the baggage which formed the burden of a man of beast, Acts 21:15. Once it seems to indicate a circular trench or rampart of baggage, etc., around a camp, /1Sa 17:20.

In the Authorized Version this word is found as the rendering of many different words. In Judges 18:21 it means valuables, wealth, or booty. In Isaiah 46:1 (R.V., "the things that ye carried about") the word means a load for a beast of burden. 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. The phrase in Acts 21:15, "We took up our carriages," means properly, "We packed up our baggage," as in the Revised Version. 1. (n.) That which is carried; burden; baggage.

2. (n.) The act of carrying, transporting, or conveying.

3. (n.) The price or expense of carrying.

4. (n.) That which carries of conveys,

5. (n.) A wheeled vehicle for persons, esp. one designed for elegance and comfort.

6. (n.) A wheeled vehicle carrying a fixed burden, as a gun carriage.

7. (n.) A part of a machine which moves and carries of supports some other moving object or part.

8. (n.) A frame or cage in which something is carried or supported; as, a bell carriage.

9. (n.) The manner of carrying one's self; behavior; bearing; deportment; personal manners.

10. (n.) The act or manner of conducting measures or projects; management.

CARRIAGE

kar'-ij (keli, kebhuddah, nesu'ah; episkeuasamenoi; the Revised Version (British and American) "We took up our baggage"; the American Revised Version, margin "made ready"): One or the other of the above words occurs in six different places and all have been translated in the King James Version by "carriage" in its obsolete meaning (Judges 18:21 1 Samuel 17:22 (twice); Isaiah 10:28; Isaiah 46:1 Acts 21:15). In the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version these are translated by the more modern expressions "goods," "baggage," or "the things that you carried." In 1 Samuel 17:20 the King James Version margin "place of the carriage" occurs as the equivalent of "trench." The Hebrew ma'galah may mean "the place of wagons" as translated in the Revised Version (British and American), as it is not at all improbable that the encampment was surrounded by the baggage train.

James A. Patch

4480. rhede -- a chariot
... chariot. Of Latin origin; a rheda, ie Four-wheeled carriage (wagon for riding) --
chariot. (redon) -- 1 Occurrence. 4479, 4480. rhede. 4481 . Strong's Numbers
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4480.htm - 6k

2934. ktenos -- a beast of burden
... of burden Definition: a beast of burden (generally, a horse or mule) either for
riding or for carrying loads on its back, or for yoking to a cart or carriage. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2934.htm - 6k

2647. kataluo -- to destroy, overthrow
... both lit. and met., (b) I unyoke, unharness a carriage horse or pack animal;
hence: I put up, lodge, find a lodging. Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2647.htm - 7k

3520. kebuddah -- abundance, riches
... carriage, all glorious, stately. Irreg. Feminine passive participle of kabad;
weightiness, ie Magnificence, wealth -- carriage, all glorious, stately. ...
/hebrew/3520.htm - 6k

5385. nesuah -- what is borne about
... carriage. Or rather, nsutah {nes-oo-aw'}; feminine. Passive participle of nasa';
something borne, ie A load -- carriage. see HEBREW nasa'. 5384, 5385. ...
/hebrew/5385.htm - 6k

3627. keli -- an article, utensil, vessel
... yokes (1). armour bearer, artillery, bag, carriage, furnish, furniture,
instrument, jewel,. From kalah; something prepared, ie Any ...
/hebrew/3627.htm - 6k

A Lovely Carriage.
... Hymns. Book 1. Hymn 1:36. [Supplement.] A lovely carriage. 1 O 'tis a lovely
thing to see A man of prudent heart, Whose thoughts ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 1 36 supplement a lovely.htm

A Lovely Carriage. Matt. 10:16
... HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS IN THREE BOOKS. HYMN 36 A lovely carriage. Matt. 10:16.
CM A lovely carriage. Matt.10:16. O 'tis a lovely thing to see. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 36 a lovely carriage.htm

Chapter twelve
... Virginia did not answer, and the other girls were beginning to feel sober as
the carriage turned into a street leading to the Rectangle. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twelve.htm

The Pursuit
... Accordingly, bright and early the following morning, all three, with one of the
Kostkas' servants, drove out in a carriage over the Augsburg road. ...
/.../greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /chapter ii the pursuit.htm

Chapter twenty-one
... The Saturday afternoon matinee at the Auditorium in Chicago was just over and the
usual crowd was struggling to get to its carriage before any one else. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-one.htm

The Red Shoes
... Suddenly a great carriage came by, and in the carriage sat an old lady; she looked
at the little girl and felt pity for her and said to the clergyman: ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the red shoes.htm

Lady Ann Erskine and Rowland Hill.
... tell it to you. While he was preaching in a park in London to a large
assemblage, she was passing in her carriage. She said to her ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/lady ann erskine and rowland.htm

Troubles in Paris
... ill at Richelieu when the message reached him, and the Duchess d'Aiguillon, one
of the most devoted of his Ladies of Charity, sent a little carriage to fetch ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 10 troubles in paris.htm

Women of the Frankish Church
... The Franks, having arrived with all speed, received her from the hands of Gondebaud,
put her into a covered carriage and escorted her to Clovis, together with ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/viii women of the frankish.htm

Meanwhile Florian Varillo had not Gone to Naples. ...
... The man shouted an affirmative, and they clattered away through the streets,
Varillo shrinking back in the carriage overcome by panic. ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxi meanwhile florian varillo had.htm

Carriage (32 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A wheeled vehicle carrying a fixed burden, as a gun carriage. ... 8. (n.) A frame
or cage in which something is carried or supported; as, a bell carriage. ...
/c/carriage.htm - 19k

War-carriage (11 Occurrences)
War-carriage. War, War-carriage. War-carriages . Multi-Version
Concordance War-carriage (11 Occurrences). Exodus 14:6 ...
/w/war-carriage.htm - 9k

Carriage-towns (3 Occurrences)
Carriage-towns. Carriages, Carriage-towns. Carriage-wheels .
Multi-Version Concordance Carriage-towns (3 Occurrences). ...
/c/carriage-towns.htm - 7k

Carriage-wheels (1 Occurrence)
Carriage-wheels. Carriage-towns, Carriage-wheels. Carried .
Multi-Version Concordance Carriage-wheels (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/carriage-wheels.htm - 6k

Carriage-horses (1 Occurrence)
Carriage-horses. Carriage, Carriage-horses. Carriages .
Multi-Version Concordance Carriage-horses (1 Occurrence). 1 ...
/c/carriage-horses.htm - 6k

Drive (132 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To urge on and direct the motions of, as the beasts which draw a vehicle,
or the vehicle borne by them; hence, also, to take in a carriage; to convey ...
/d/drive.htm - 38k

Carriages (34 Occurrences)
... got together war-carriages and horsemen; he had one thousand, four hundred carriages
and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he kept, some in the carriage-towns and ...
/c/carriages.htm - 17k

Pole (21 Occurrences)
... slender piece of wood; a tall, slender piece of timber; the stem of a small tree
whose branches have been removed; as, specifically: (a) A carriage pole, a ...
/p/pole.htm - 15k

Brake (80 Occurrences)
... cattle, horses, etc. 9. (vt) That part of a carriage, as of a movable
battery, or engine, which enables it to turn. 10. (n.) An ...
/b/brake.htm - 34k

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