In biblical times, the concept of lodgings was integral to the culture and daily life of the people. Lodgings, or temporary places of rest, are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, reflecting the nomadic lifestyle of the patriarchs, the hospitality customs of ancient Near Eastern societies, and the practical needs of travelers and pilgrims.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, lodgings are often associated with the journeys of the patriarchs and the Israelites. For instance, Genesis 24:23-25 describes the hospitality extended to Abraham's servant by Rebekah's family, offering him lodging for the night: "Then he asked, 'Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?' She replied, 'I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor.' Then she added, 'We have plenty of straw and feed, as well as a place for you to spend the night.'"

The Israelites' journey through the wilderness also involved temporary lodgings, as they moved from place to place. Numbers 33 provides a detailed account of their encampments, highlighting the transient nature of their lodgings during the Exodus.

Hospitality and Lodgings

Hospitality was a significant cultural value in biblical times, and providing lodgings for travelers was a common practice. In Judges 19, the account of the Levite and his concubine illustrates the importance of hospitality. When the Levite and his concubine arrive in Gibeah, an old man offers them lodging, saying, "You are welcome at my house; let me supply whatever you need. Only do not spend the night in the square" (Judges 19:20).

The provision of lodgings was not only a matter of hospitality but also of protection and care for strangers, reflecting the broader biblical principle of loving one's neighbor.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, lodgings continue to play a role in the narrative of the early Christian community. Jesus Himself experienced the need for lodgings during His ministry. In Matthew 8:20, Jesus remarks on His lack of a permanent home: "Jesus replied, 'Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.'"

The early Christians also relied on the hospitality of fellow believers for lodgings. Acts 16:15 recounts Lydia's invitation to Paul and his companions: "And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, 'If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.' And she persuaded us."

Spiritual Significance

Lodgings in the Bible often carry a spiritual significance, symbolizing the transient nature of earthly life and the believer's journey toward a heavenly home. Hebrews 11:9-10 speaks of Abraham's faith, as he lived in tents while looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God: "By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

The concept of lodgings thus serves as a reminder of the Christian's pilgrimage on earth, with the ultimate hope of eternal rest in the presence of God.

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 ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter iv the daily walk.htm

Thus the Future of which we Spoke at the Beginning Has in England ...
... He finds life in the front garden more bold than bountiful, and has to move
into mean lodgings in the next spring. The philosopher ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 11 thus the future.htm

Reception in the House of Maro.
... Therefore the brethren who had been sent before assigned lodgings to all
who had come with us. Then, when Peter had entered into ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter ii reception in the house.htm

Rondelet, {7} the Huguenot Naturalist {8}
... The students lived, for the most part, not in colleges, but in private lodgings,
and constituted a republic of their own, ruled by an abbe of the scholars, one ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/rondelet 7 the huguenot naturalist.htm

How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites ...
... on which the woman rode; and when they were near Jerusalem, having gone already
thirty furlongs, the servant advised them to take up their lodgings some where ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how after the.htm

Man Proposes, God Disposes
... will you help me to find quarters for the night, and then I will pay you for your
trouble?" He was willing to befriend me, and we set off in search of lodgings ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xiii man proposes god.htm

The Secret Walk with God (I. ).
... Then, on the other hand, there is a risk and trial from a region quite opposite.
The Curate comes to his new work, and takes up his abode in lodgings"alone. ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter i the secret walk.htm

The Flag of the World
... his powers he might discuss whether the advantage of midsummer woods made up for
the disadvantage of mad dogs, just as a man looking for lodgings might balance ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/v the flag of the.htm

In the House of Kimberker
... Many of their pupils went to their homes when they could no longer live with the
Jesuits. Those who remained had to take lodgings elsewhere in the city. ...
/.../chapter vi in the house.htm

Jesus and the Beloved Disciple.
... They asked, "Rabbi, where abidest thou?" He said, "Come, and ye shall see." They
gladly accepted the invitation, went with him to his lodgings, and remained ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter vi jesus and the.htm

Lodgings (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lodgings (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 19:23 By thy
messengers thou hast reproached the LORD, and hast said, With ...
/l/lodgings.htm - 6k

Board (47 Occurrences)
... 13. (n.) To enter, as a railway car. 14. (n.) To furnish with regular meals, or
with meals and lodgings, for compensation; to supply with daily meals. 15. ...
/b/board.htm - 23k

Lodging-place (7 Occurrences)
Lodging-place. Lodging, Lodging-place. Lodgings . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(ASV DBY JPS WBS YLT). Lodging, Lodging-place. Lodgings . Reference Bible.
/l/lodging-place.htm - 8k

Harbinger (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) One who provides lodgings; especially, the officer of the English royal
household who formerly preceded the court when traveling, to provide and ...
/h/harbinger.htm - 7k

Loft (2 Occurrences)

/l/loft.htm - 7k

Farther (33 Occurrences)
... on the other hand, has "its farthest height" for "the height of his border" (Isaiah
37:24), and "his farthest lodging-place" for "the lodgings of his borders ...
/f/farther.htm - 19k

Far (2526 Occurrences)
... on the other hand, has "its farthest height" for "the height of his border" (Isaiah
37:24), and "his farthest lodging-place" for "the lodgings of his borders ...
/f/far.htm - 11k

Reproached (27 Occurrences)
... mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof,
and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his ...
/r/reproached.htm - 14k

Encampment (8 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The place where an army or a company is encamped; a camp; tents pitched
or huts erected for temporary lodgings. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/e/encampment.htm - 9k

Palace (194 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The residence of a sovereign, including the lodgings of high officers of
state, and rooms for business, as well as halls for ceremony and reception. ...
/p/palace.htm - 40k

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