In biblical times, the term "crib" refers to a feeding trough for animals, often made of wood or stone. It is a humble structure, yet it holds significant symbolic meaning within the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the nativity of Jesus Christ.

Old Testament References

The word "crib" appears in the Old Testament, notably in the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah 1:3 , the prophet uses the imagery of a crib to illustrate Israel's lack of understanding and recognition of God: "The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand." Here, the crib symbolizes a place of sustenance and provision, which even animals recognize, contrasting with Israel's spiritual ignorance and failure to acknowledge God's care and authority.

New Testament Significance

The most prominent association of a crib in the New Testament is with the birth of Jesus Christ. Although the Berean Standard Bible does not use the term "crib" directly in the nativity accounts, the concept is closely related to the manger mentioned in Luke 2:7 : "And she gave birth to her firstborn, a 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, akin to a crib, serves as the humble bed for the newborn Savior, emphasizing the humility and simplicity of Christ's entrance into the world.

Symbolic Meaning

The crib, as a feeding trough, symbolizes nourishment and sustenance, which aligns with the spiritual nourishment that Jesus provides as the "bread of life" (John 6:35). The humble setting of the crib in the nativity account underscores the theme of God's grace and the inversion of worldly expectations, where the King of Kings is born not in a palace but in a lowly stable.

Theological Reflections

From a theological perspective, the crib represents the incarnation of Christ—God becoming flesh and dwelling among humanity in the most unassuming manner. It highlights the accessibility of Jesus to all people, regardless of status or wealth, and serves as a reminder of the humility and servitude that characterize His earthly ministry.

In Christian art and tradition, the crib or manger scene is a central element of nativity displays, symbolizing the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the hope brought into the world through the birth of Jesus. The crib, therefore, is not merely a historical artifact but a profound symbol of God's love and redemption plan for humanity.1. (n.) A manger or rack; a feeding place for animals.

2. (n.) A stall for oxen or other cattle.

3. (n.) A small enclosed bedstead or cot for a child.

4. (n.) A box or bin, or similar wooden structure, for storing grain, salt, etc.; as, a crib for corn or oats.

5. (n.) A hovel; a hut; a cottage.

6. (n.) A structure or frame of timber for a foundation, or for supporting a roof, or for lining a shaft.

7. (n.) A structure of logs to be anchored with stones; -- used for docks, pier, dams, etc.

8. (n.) A small raft of timber.

9. (n.) A small theft; anything purloined; a plagiaris; hence, a translation or key, etc., to aid a student in preparing or reciting his lessons.

10. (n.) A miner's luncheon.

11. (n.) The discarded cards which the dealer can use in scoring points in cribbage.

12. (v. t.) To shut up or confine in a narrow habitation; to cage; to cramp.

13. (v. t.) To pilfer or purloin; hence, to steal from an author; to appropriate; to plagiarize; as, to crib a line from Milton.

14. (v. i.) To crowd together, or to be confined, as in a crib or in narrow accommodations.

15. (v. i.) To make notes for dishonest use in recitation or examination.

16. (v. i.) To seize the manger or other solid object with the teeth and draw in wind; -- said of a horse.

CRIB

('ebhuc): "Crib" translates the Hebrew word ['ebhuc] exactly, as it denotes "a barred receptacle for fodder used in cowsheds and foldyards; also in fields, for beasts lying out in the winter." The Hebrew is from a word meaning to feed ('abhac), and is used in the precise sense of the English word in Job 39:9 of the "crib" of the wild ox, in Proverbs 14:4, "Where no oxen are, the crib is clean," and in Isaiah 1:3, "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib." section 23.

5336. phatne -- a manger
... 5336 -- a cattle-crib; a feeding box (crib) for cattle; a manger. Word Origin a
prim. ... From pateomai (to eat); a crib (for fodder) -- manager, stall. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5336.htm - 6k18. ebus -- a crib, feeding trough
... ebus. 19 . a crib, feeding trough. Transliteration: ebus Phonetic Spelling:
(ay-booce') Short Definition: manger. ... crib. From 'abac; a manger or stall -- crib. ...
/hebrew/18.htm - 6k

723a. urvah -- a manger, crib
... 723, 723a. urvah. 723b . a manger, crib. Transliteration: urvah Short
Definition: stalls. Word Origin from arah, see uryah Definition ...
/hebrew/723a.htm - 5k

723. urvah -- a manger, crib
... 722, 723. urvah. 723a . a manger, crib. Transliteration: urvah Phonetic
Spelling: (oor-vaw') Short Definition: stall. stall Or rarayah ...
/hebrew/723.htm - 5k

The Circumcision of Jesus
... This was at the entrance to the cave, not far from the Crib, between the
partition lately removed by Joseph and the hearth-place. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xii the circumcision of jesus.htm

The Holy Family in Bethlehem after the Departure of the Kings.
... Joseph summoned by two men and being examined in that house by some aged Jews. I
saw him go back to the Crib and then again go to the court-house. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiv the holy family in.htm

Here Next Followeth the History of Moses
... and brought forth a son, and he saw him elegant and fair, and hid him three months,
and when he might no longer hide him, took a little crib of rushes and ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here next followeth the history.htm

The Stupidity of Godlessness
... THE STUPIDITY OF GODLESSNESS. 'The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's
crib: but Israel doth not know, My people doth not consider.'"Isaiah 1:3. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the stupidity of godlessness.htm

O Dear Little Children
... 1. O dear little children, O come one and all, Draw near to the crib, here in
Bethlehem's stall, And see what a bright ray of heaven's delight Our Father has ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 6 o dear little.htm

Letter ccxxxv. To the Same, in Answer to Another Question.
... "The ox," it is said, "knoweth his owner." [2967] According to your argument the
ox knows his lord's essence. "And the ass his master's crib." [2968] So the ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxxxv to the same.htm

Drill and Enthusiasm
... no use in irregular valour, but they are a diminishing number, and they may be
recommended to ponder the old wise saying: 'Where no oxen are, the crib is clean ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/drill and enthusiasm.htm

Christ's Birth
... After laying the Child in the crib, they both stood beside Him giving praise to
God with tears of joy. ... Figure 13. Mary's resting place beside the crib. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xi christs birth.htm

Notes
... the ox and ass adoring our Lord arose from an allegorical interpretation of Isaiah
1:3: "The ox knoweth his owner, the ass his master's crib." Origen (Homilies ...
//christianbookshelf.org/prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/notes.htm

Sin Laid on Jesus
... as the text: "All we like sheep have gone astray." Not like the ox which "knoweth
its owner," nor even like the ass which "remembers its master's crib nor even ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/sin laid on jesus.htm

Crib (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A box or bin, or similar wooden structure, for storing grain, salt, etc.;
as, a crib for corn or oats. 5. (n.) A hovel; a hut; a cottage. ...CRIB. ...
/c/crib.htm - 9k

Manger (7 Occurrences)
... phatne, rendered "stall" in Luke 13:15) given to the place where the infant Redeemer
was laid. It seems to have been a stall or crib for feeding cattle. ...
/m/manger.htm - 10k

Stall (7 Occurrences)
... pluck and feed" (1 Kings 4:26 2 Chronicles 9:25; 2 Chronicles 32:28), (4) repheth,
"a resting place" (Habakkuk 3:17); (5) phatne, "a manger" or "crib" (Luke 13 ...
/s/stall.htm - 11k

Unicorn (6 Occurrences)
... through with his arrows. (KJV WBS). Job 39:9 Will the unicorn be willing
to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? (KJV WBS). Job 39:10 ...
/u/unicorn.htm - 10k

Owner's (1 Occurrence)
... Owner's (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 1:3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's
crib; but Israel doth not know, My people doth not consider. (See NIV). ...
/o/owner's.htm - 6k

Wild-ox (6 Occurrences)
... his arrows. (See JPS ASV). Job 39:9 Will the wild-ox be content to serve
thee? Or will he abide by thy crib? (See JPS ASV). Job 39 ...
/w/wild-ox.htm - 7k

Reem (5 Occurrences)
... Job 39:9 Is a Reem willing to serve thee? Doth he lodge by thy crib? (YLT). Job
39:10 Dost thou bind a Reem in a furrow 'with' his thick band? ...
/r/reem.htm - 7k

Master (346 Occurrences)
... lords"); 24:2). Ba`al, "lord," "owner," is translated "master": "the master of the
house" (Exodus 22:8 Judges 19:22, 23); "the ass his master's crib" (Isaiah 1 ...
/m/master.htm - 40k

Buffalo (5 Occurrences)
... smite them in pieces. (DBY). Job 39:9 Will the buffalo be willing to serve
thee, or will he lodge by thy crib? (DBY). Job 39:10 Canst ...
/b/buffalo.htm - 8k

Cricket (2 Occurrences)

/c/cricket.htm - 7k

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