Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia A manger is a feeding trough for animals, typically made of wood or stone, and is most famously associated with the birth of Jesus Christ. In the biblical narrative, the manger serves as a humble yet significant symbol of the incarnation of Jesus, highlighting both His humility and His accessibility to all people.Biblical References: The primary biblical reference to a manger is found in the Gospel of Luke. According to 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." This verse underscores the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth, as Mary and Joseph were unable to find suitable lodging and thus placed the newborn Jesus in a manger. The manger is mentioned again in Luke 2:12 , where the angel of the Lord tells the shepherds, "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." The manger serves as a sign to the shepherds, guiding them to the Savior. The use of a manger as a sign emphasizes the unexpected and humble nature of the Messiah's arrival. Symbolism and Significance: The manger symbolizes humility and the breaking of social and spiritual barriers. Jesus, the King of Kings, was not born in a palace but in a place where animals were kept, signifying His approachability and His mission to reach all people, regardless of status or wealth. The manger scene invites believers to reflect on the humility of Christ and His willingness to enter into the human condition fully. The setting of the manger also fulfills Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's humble origins. For instance, the prophet Micah foretold that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem, a small and seemingly insignificant town (Micah 5:2). The manger, located in Bethlehem, aligns with this prophecy and further illustrates God's plan to use the humble and lowly to accomplish His purposes. Cultural and Historical Context: In the first-century Judean context, mangers were common in stables or caves where animals were kept. These feeding troughs were practical and necessary for the care of livestock. The use of a manger in the nativity account reflects the everyday life of the time and provides a tangible connection to the historical reality of Jesus' birth. The manger scene has become a central element of Christian nativity traditions, often depicted in art, literature, and Christmas celebrations. It serves as a visual reminder of the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth and the profound theological truths it represents. Theological Implications: Theologically, the manger points to the incarnation, the doctrine that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. This event is central to Christian belief, as it signifies God's intimate involvement with His creation and His desire to redeem humanity. The manger, as the first resting place of the incarnate Word, encapsulates the mystery and wonder of God dwelling among us. In summary, the manger is a powerful symbol within the Christian tradition, representing humility, divine purpose, and the fulfillment of prophecy. It invites believers to contemplate the profound mystery of the incarnation and the accessibility of God's grace to all people. Smith's Bible Dictionary MangerThis word occurs only in (Luke 2:7,12,16) in connection with the birth of Christ. It means a crib or feeding trough; but according to Schleusner its real signification in the New Testament is the open court-yard attached to the inn or khan, in which the cattle would be shut at night, and where the poorer travellers might unpack their animals and take up their lodging, when they mere either by want of means excluded from the house. Easton's Bible Dictionary (Luke 2:7, 12, 16), the name (Gr. 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. Stables and mangers in our modern sense were in ancient times unknown in the East. The word here properly denotes "the ledge or projection in the end of the room used as a stall on which the hay or other food of the animals of travellers was placed." (see INN.) Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A trough or open box in which fodder is placed for horses or cattle to eat.2. (n.) The fore part of the deck, having a bulkhead athwart ships high enough to prevent water which enters the hawse holes from running over it. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia MANGERman'-jer (phatne): Properly the place in a stall or stable where the food of cattle is placed (in the Old Testament "crib" (Job 39:9 Proverbs 14:4 Isaiah 1:3)); thus also, apparently, in the narrative of the nativity in Luke 2:7, 12, 16. In Septuagint, the Greek word, representing different Hebrew words, has also the extended meaning of "stall" (2 Chronicles 32:28 Habakkuk 3:17); thus also in Luke 13:15, where the Revised Version margin has "manger." Old tradition says that Jesus was born in a cave in the neighborhood of Bethlehem; even so, a place for food for cattle may have been cut in the side of the rock. Greek 5336. phatne -- a manger ... a manger. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: phatne Phonetic Spelling: (fat'-nay) Short Definition: a manger, feeding-trough Definition: a manger ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5336.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 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 18. ebus -- a crib, feeding trough Library At the Manger. Beside the Manger. Book ii from the Manger in Bethlehem to the Baptism in Jordan. Dost Thou in a Manger Lie The Birth of Jesus. Ch. 2:1-20 The Story of Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem The Birth of Jesus Proclaimed by Angels to the Shepherds. His Childhood and Youth. The Birth of Jesus the Messiah was on this Wise... Jesus is Born at Bethlehem Thesaurus Manger (7 Occurrences)... over it. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MANGER. man'-jer ... side of the rock. James Orr. Multi-Version Concordance Manger (7 Occurrences). ... /m/manger.htm - 10k Babe (15 Occurrences) Crib (3 Occurrences) Swaddling-clothes (2 Occurrences) Swaddling (3 Occurrences) Clothes (208 Occurrences) Leading (101 Occurrences) Guest-chamber (4 Occurrences) First-born (110 Occurrences) Token (24 Occurrences) Resources Why was Jesus born in a manger? | GotQuestions.orgIs the little drummer boy in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Where was Jesus born? | GotQuestions.org Manger: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Manger (7 Occurrences)Luke 2:7 Luke 2:12 Luke 2:16 Luke 13:15 Job 39:9 Proverbs 14:4 Isaiah 1:3 Subtopics Manger: (A Feeding Box for Cattle) Related Terms |
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