The concept of being indoors, while not explicitly detailed in the Bible, is implicitly present throughout the Scriptures. The Bible often references homes, houses, and other structures that provide shelter and a place for indoor activities. These references offer insights into the cultural, social, and spiritual significance of indoor spaces in biblical times.

Biblical References and Context

1. Homes as Places of Worship and Fellowship: In the New Testament, the early Christian church often met in homes, indicating the importance of indoor spaces for worship and fellowship. Acts 2:46 states, "With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart." This passage highlights the use of homes as places for communal gatherings and spiritual activities.

2. Protection and Safety: Indoors often symbolizes safety and protection in the Bible. In the account of the Passover, the Israelites were instructed to stay indoors to be protected from the plague. Exodus 12:22 instructs, "Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it in the blood in the basin, and brush the top and sides of the doorframe with some of the blood. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning." This command underscores the protective nature of being indoors during times of danger.

3. Hospitality and Service: The Bible frequently emphasizes the virtue of hospitality, often practiced indoors. In the account of Mary and Martha, Martha welcomes Jesus into her home, illustrating the role of indoor spaces in serving and hosting others. Luke 10:38 recounts, "As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home."

4. Teaching and Learning: Indoors also serves as a setting for teaching and learning. Jesus often taught His disciples in private settings, away from the crowds. Mark 9:28 notes, "After Jesus had gone into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, 'Why couldn’t we drive it out?'" This setting provided a space for deeper instruction and understanding.

5. Prayer and Reflection: Indoor spaces are depicted as places for prayer and reflection. In Matthew 6:6 , Jesus advises, "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." This verse highlights the importance of a private, indoor space for personal communion with God.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In biblical times, homes were central to family life and community interactions. They were typically simple structures, often consisting of a single room, but they served as the heart of daily activities. The architecture and design of these homes varied based on region, climate, and available materials, but they universally provided shelter and a place for family gatherings, meals, and rest.

The significance of indoor spaces in the Bible reflects broader themes of community, protection, and spiritual growth. While the specific term "indoors" may not be frequently used, the concept is woven throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating the multifaceted role of indoor environments in the lives of God's people.(adv.) Within the house; -- usually separated, in doors.6441. penimah -- toward the side or inside, within
... inner part,. From paniym with directive enclitic; faceward, ie Indoors --
(with-)in(-ner part, -ward). see HEBREW paniym. 6440, 6441. penimah. 6442 . ...
/hebrew/6441.htm - 6k

To Olympias. Do not be Anxious on My Behalf, nor Rack Yourself ...
... might arise from them; keeping up a constant fire, setting screens about the chamber
in which I live, using a large number of rugs, and staying always indoors. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/to olympias do not be.htm

The Daily Walk with Others (I. ).
... busy common day? LIFE IN LODGINGS. Let me speak first of his life indoors,
that is to say, probably, in his lodgings. There the day ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter iv the daily walk.htm

One Lion Two Lions no Lion at All
... "There is a lion in the way," and therefore the man judges it to be quite right
that he should keep his bed, or that he should sit leisurely indoors and should ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/one lion two lions no.htm

Expatriation
... roof and a pallet of matting, but the accompanying gratuity of curiosity and comment
would have outweighed the small advantage of a bed indoors over a bed in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlii expatriation.htm

God's Treatment of Sin.
... When they turned God out-of-doors, God left them indoors to themselves. It was the
worst thing He could do, and the best. Worst"to be left alone with sin. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/gods treatment of sin.htm

Spiritual Athletics
... people fancy that the soul can be left without exercise; that indeed it is a sort
of invalid, which needs to be sheltered from exposure and kept indoors in a ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/vi spiritual athletics.htm

Letter xviii. --To Flavian .
... As for myself, I then remained sitting, still in the open air, and waited for the
invitation indoors; and at a most inopportune time I became, as I sat there ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter xviii to flavian.htm

And the Fame of Antony came Even unto Kings. ...
... For often when he was on the mountains he saw what was happening in Egypt, and told
it to Serapion the bishop [1132] , who was indoors with him, and who saw ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 81.htm

Diamond Woke Very Early in the Morning, and Thought what a Curious ...
... He played all his games over and over indoors, especially that of driving two chairs
harnessed to the baby's cradle; and if they did not go very fast, they ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 3 diamond woke very.htm

God's Slaves
... or sheep-crook. The reward for work is more work. Come away indoors now,
and nearer the Master, prepare His table. 'Which of you ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/gods slaves.htm

Indoors (6 Occurrences)
... in doors. Multi-Version Concordance Indoors (6 Occurrences). Matthew
9:28 And when He had gone indoors, they came to Him. "Do you ...
/i/indoors.htm - 8k

Questioning (65 Occurrences)
... among yourselves?' (YLT). Mark 10:10 Indoors the disciples began questioning
Jesus again on the same subject. (WEY NAS). Mark 10:17 ...
/q/questioning.htm - 24k

Induce (1 Occurrence)

/i/induce.htm - 7k

Indolent (3 Occurrences)

/i/indolent.htm - 7k

Fetch (45 Occurrences)
... Luke 17:31 "On that day, if a man is on the roof and his property indoors, let him
not go down to fetch it; and, in the same way, he who is in the field, let ...
/f/fetch.htm - 24k

Roof (55 Occurrences)
... Luke 17:31 "On that day, if a man is on the roof and his property indoors, let him
not go down to fetch it; and, in the same way, he who is in the field, let ...
/r/roof.htm - 24k

Room (174 Occurrences)
... Matthew 24:26 If therefore they should say to you, 'See, He is in the Desert!' do
not go out there: or 'See, He is indoors in the room!' do not believe it. ...
/r/room.htm - 39k

Replied (532 Occurrences)
... But other days will come (when the Bridegroom has been taken from them) (WEY).
Matthew 9:28 And when He had gone indoors, they came to Him. ...
/r/replied.htm - 33k

Pester (2 Occurrences)
... Pester (2 Occurrences). Luke 11:7 "And he from indoors shall answer, "'Do not pester
me. The door is now barred, and I am here in bed with my children. ...
/p/pester.htm - 7k

Barred (5 Occurrences)
... Barred (5 Occurrences). Luke 11:7 "And he from indoors shall answer, "'Do not pester
me. The door is now barred, and I am here in bed with my children. ...
/b/barred.htm - 7k

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