Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terminology, the term "chamber" refers to a room or enclosed space within a building, often used for specific purposes such as sleeping, storage, or private meetings. The concept of a chamber appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, reflecting both the architectural practices of ancient times and the symbolic meanings associated with private or sacred spaces.Old Testament Usage In the Old Testament, chambers are frequently mentioned in the context of the Temple and other significant structures. For instance, in 1 Kings 6:5, Solomon's Temple is described as having side chambers built around the main structure: "Against the walls of the main hall and the inner sanctuary, he built chambers all around the temple." These chambers served practical purposes, such as storage for temple treasures and offerings, as well as providing living quarters for priests. The prophet Ezekiel also provides a detailed description of chambers in his vision of the future temple. In Ezekiel 40:17, he notes, "Then he brought me into the outer court, and there were chambers and a pavement made for the court all around; thirty chambers faced the pavement." These chambers were integral to the temple's function and organization. Chambers are also mentioned in domestic settings. In 2 Kings 4:10, the Shunammite woman prepares a chamber for the prophet Elisha: "Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us." This chamber provided a private and hospitable space for the prophet during his travels. Symbolic and Spiritual Significance Beyond their physical function, chambers often carry symbolic meanings in Scripture. They can represent a place of intimacy and privacy, where individuals seek solitude or engage in personal reflection and prayer. In the Song of Solomon, the chamber is a place of love and intimacy between the bride and bridegroom, as seen in Song of Solomon 1:4: "Take me away with you—let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers." Chambers can also symbolize the inner sanctum of the heart, a place where one communes with God. In Matthew 6:6, Jesus instructs His followers on the importance of private prayer: "But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Here, the "inner room" or chamber signifies a personal and undistracted space for spiritual connection. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the concept of chambers is less frequently mentioned but still holds significance. The upper room where Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples can be considered a chamber. In Mark 14:15, Jesus instructs His disciples, "He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there." This chamber became a pivotal setting for the institution of the Lord's Supper and the teaching of profound spiritual truths. Conclusion In summary, the term "chamber" in the Bible encompasses both practical and symbolic dimensions. Whether referring to the architectural features of sacred and domestic buildings or serving as a metaphor for spiritual intimacy and reflection, chambers play a significant role in the biblical narrative. They remind believers of the importance of creating spaces for worship, hospitality, and personal communion with God. Smith's Bible Dictionary Chamber(Genesis 43:30; 2 Samuel 18:33; Psalms 19:5; Daniel 6:10) The word chamber in these passages has much the same significance as with us, meaning the private rooms of the house --the guest chamber, as with us, meaning a room set apart for the accommodation of the visiting friend. (Mark 14:14,15; Luke 22:12) The upper chamber was used more particularly for the lodgment of strangers. (Acts 9:37) Easton's Bible Dictionary "on the wall," which the Shunammite prepared for the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4:10), was an upper chamber over the porch through the hall toward the street. This was the "guest chamber" where entertainments were prepared (Mark 14:14). There were also "chambers within chambers" (1 Kings 22:25; 2 Kings 9:2). To enter into a chamber is used metaphorically of prayer and communion with God (Isaiah 26:20). The "chambers of the south" (Job 9:9) are probably the constelations of the southern hemisphere. The "chambers of imagery", i.e., chambers painted with images, as used by Ezekiel (8:12), is an expression denoting the vision the prophet had of the abominations practised by the Jews in Jerusalem. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A retired room, esp. an upper room used for sleeping; a bedroom; as, the house had four chambers.2. (n.) Apartments in a lodging house. 3. (n.) A hall, as where a king gives audience, or a deliberative body or assembly meets; as, presence chamber; senate chamber. 4. (n.) A legislative or judicial body; an assembly; a society or association; as, the Chamber of Deputies; the Chamber of Commerce. 5. (n.) A compartment or cell; an enclosed space or cavity; as, the chamber of a canal lock; the chamber of a furnace; the chamber of the eye. 6. (n.) A room or rooms where a lawyer transacts business; a room or rooms where a judge transacts such official business as may be done out of court. 7. (n.) A chamber pot. 8. (n.) That part of the bore of a piece of ordnance which holds the charge, esp. when of different diameter from the rest of the bore; -- formerly, in guns, made smaller than the bore, but now larger, esp. in breech-loading guns. 9. (n.) A cavity in a mine, usually of a cubical form, to contain the powder. 10. (n.) A short piece of ordnance or cannon, which stood on its breech, without any carriage, formerly used chiefly for rejoicings and theatrical cannonades. 11. (v. i.) To reside in or occupy a chamber or chambers. 12. (v. i.) To be lascivious. 13. (v. t.) To shut up, as in a chamber. 14. (v. t.) To furnish with a chamber; as, to chamber a gun. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia CHAMBERcham'-ber (the translation of the following Hebrew words: chedher, chuppah, yatsia`, yatsua`, lishkah, nishkah, `aliyah, tsela`, and the Aramaic word `illith): For the most part the word chamber is the expression of an idea which would be adequately expressed by the English word "room," in accordance with an earlier use of the word, now little employed. For the arrangement of rooms in a Hebrew house, see HOUSE. Chedher is a word of frequent occurrence, and designates a private room. Chuppah is translated "chamber" only in Psalm 19:5, where it is used in connection with "bridegroom," and means a bridal chamber. The same Hebrew word used of the bride in Joel 2:16 is rendered "closet." Yatsia` and yatsua` are found only in 1 Kings 6:5, 6, 10 (the King James Version only in all the passages), yatsua` being the reading of Kethibh and yatsia` of Kere in each ease. Here the meaning is really "story," as given in the Revised Version (British and American), except in 1 Kings 6:6, where doubtless the text should be changed to read ha-tsela`, "the side-chamber." Lishkah, a frequent word, and the equivalent nishkah, infrequent, are used ordinarily of a room in the temple utilized for sacred purposes, occasionally of a room in the palace. `Aliyah and the equivalent Aramaic `illith signify "a roof chamber," i.e. a chamber built on the flat roof of a house. Tsela`, when used of a chamber, designates a side-chamber of the temple. It is usually rendered "side-chamber," but "chamber" in 1 Kings 6:5, 8 (the King James Version), where the Revised Version (British and American) has "side-chamber." UPPER CHAMBER; UPPER ROOM up'-er cham'-ber, (`aliyah (2 Kings 1:2), etc.; anogeon (Mark 14:15 Luke 22:12), huperoon (Acts 1:13; Acts 9:37, 39; 20:8)): In Judges 3:20 the English Revised Version renders "summer parlor" and in the margin "Hebrew: `Upper chamber of cooling.' " This was probably a roof-chamber. The "upper chamber" of Ahaziah in 2 Kings 1:2 was evidently in the 2nd story of the building. On the "upper chambers" of the temple (1 Chronicles 28:11 2 Chronicles 3:9), see TEMPLE. The "large upper room" which was the scene of the Last Supper, with that in Acts 1:13, was also plainly an upper-story chamber. That in Acts 20:8 was in the 3rd story (at Miletus, a Greek city). CHAMBER, ROOF See CHAMBER. Greek 5009. tameion -- an inner chamber ... an inner chamber. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: tameion Phonetic Spelling: (tam-i'-on) Short Definition: a secret chamber Definition: a store ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5009.htm - 6k 2135. eunouchos -- a eunuch 3567. numphon -- the bridechamber 2846. koiton -- a bedchamber 5253. huperoon -- the upper story, the upper rooms 3565. numphe -- a bride, a young woman 2646. kataluma -- a lodging place Strong's Hebrew 5944. aliyyah -- a roof chamber... 5943, 5944. aliyyah. 5945 . a roof chamber. Transliteration: aliyyah Phonetic Spelling: (al-ee-yaw') Short Definition: chamber. ... /hebrew/5944.htm - 6k 5952. allith -- a roof chamber 2315. cheder -- a chamber, room 2646. chuppah -- a canopy, chamber 3957. lishkah -- room, chamber, hall, cell 6877. tseriach -- perhaps excavation, underground chamber 8372. ta -- a chamber 5393. nishkah -- a chamber 6763. tsela -- rib, side 2314. chadar -- to surround, enclose Library The Inner Chamber The Little Chamber on the Wall. What Moody Saw in the Chamber of Horror. Of Prayer to be Offered Within the Chamber and with the Door Shut. Concerning the Gates and Chambers Lying on the South Side of the ... The Gates and Doors on the North Side. Rest Pray to Thy Father which is in Secret or Alone with God. Chambers of Imagery The Shunammite's Boy. Thesaurus Chamber (73 Occurrences)... "on the wall," which the Shunammite prepared for the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4:10), was an upper chamber over the porch through the hall toward the street. ... /c/chamber.htm - 36k Bride-chamber (3 Occurrences) Guest-chamber (4 Occurrences) Guard-chamber (2 Occurrences) Inner-chamber (2 Occurrences) Tent-chamber (1 Occurrence) Bed-chamber (6 Occurrences) Store-chamber (1 Occurrence) Summer-chamber (1 Occurrence) Side-chamber (4 Occurrences) Resources What were the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the temple / tabernacle? | GotQuestions.orgHow do the elements of the Passover Seder point to Christ? | GotQuestions.org What is the story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman? | GotQuestions.org Chamber: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Chamber (73 Occurrences)Matthew 6:6 Luke 22:66 Acts 1:13 Acts 9:37 Acts 9:39 Acts 20:8 Acts 25:23 Genesis 43:30 Numbers 25:8 Judges 3:20 Judges 3:23 Judges 3:24 Judges 3:25 Judges 9:46 Judges 9:49 Judges 15:1 Judges 16:9 Judges 16:12 1 Samuel 9:22 2 Samuel 13:10 2 Samuel 18:33 1 Kings 1:15 1 Kings 6:6 1 Kings 6:8 1 Kings 14:28 1 Kings 17:19 1 Kings 17:23 1 Kings 20:30 1 Kings 22:25 2 Kings 1:2 2 Kings 4:10 2 Kings 4:11 2 Kings 9:2 2 Kings 23:11 2 Kings 23:12 2 Chronicles 12:11 2 Chronicles 18:24 2 Chronicles 22:11 Ezra 10:6 Nehemiah 3:30 Nehemiah 3:31 Nehemiah 3:32 Nehemiah 13:4 Nehemiah 13:5 Nehemiah 13:7 Nehemiah 13:8 Job 33:17 Job 37:9 Psalms 19:5 Psalms 45:13 Song of Songs 3:4 Song of Songs 8:2 Jeremiah 35:4 Jeremiah 36:10 Jeremiah 36:12 Jeremiah 36:20 Jeremiah 36:21 Ezekiel 16:24 Ezekiel 16:31 Ezekiel 16:39 Ezekiel 40:7 Ezekiel 40:12 Ezekiel 40:13 Ezekiel 40:38 Ezekiel 40:45 Ezekiel 40:46 Ezekiel 41:5 Ezekiel 41:6 Ezekiel 41:7 Ezekiel 41:9 Ezekiel 42:1 Daniel 6:10 Joel 2:16 Subtopics Related Terms |
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