A stable, in biblical times, refers to a structure used for housing and feeding animals, particularly livestock such as horses, donkeys, and oxen. The concept of a stable is most famously associated with the nativity account of Jesus Christ, where it is traditionally believed that Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem.

Biblical Context and Significance

The stable is not explicitly mentioned in the nativity accounts of the Gospels, but its presence is inferred from the mention of a manger. In Luke 2:7 , it is written: "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, a feeding trough for animals, suggests that Mary and Joseph found shelter in a place where animals were kept, likely a stable.

Cultural and Historical Background

In the ancient Near East, stables were often simple structures, sometimes part of a cave or a room adjacent to a family dwelling. They provided necessary shelter for animals, which were valuable assets in agrarian societies. The presence of a manger indicates a humble setting, emphasizing the lowly circumstances of Jesus' birth, which contrasts with His divine nature and mission.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

The stable, as the birthplace of Jesus, holds deep symbolic meaning within Christian theology. It underscores the humility and simplicity of Christ's incarnation. Philippians 2:7 states, "but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness." The stable setting reflects Jesus' willingness to enter into the human condition in the most unassuming manner, highlighting His accessibility to all people, regardless of status or wealth.

Prophetic Fulfillment

The humble birth of Jesus in a stable fulfills Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's coming. Micah 5:2 prophesies, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me one to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." The choice of Bethlehem, a small and seemingly insignificant town, and the humble circumstances of a stable, align with God's plan to bring forth a Savior who identifies with the lowly and the meek.

Reflection in Christian Tradition

Throughout Christian history, the image of the stable has been a focal point in nativity scenes and Christmas celebrations, serving as a reminder of the humility and grace of the incarnation. It invites believers to reflect on the nature of Christ's mission and the call to emulate His humility and service to others.

In summary, while the stable is not explicitly detailed in the biblical text, its inferred presence in the nativity account carries profound theological and symbolic significance, reflecting the humility of Christ's birth and His identification with humanity.1. (v. i.) Firmly established; not easily moved, shaken, or overthrown; fixed; as, a stable government.

2. (v. i.) Steady in purpose; constant; firm in resolution; not easily diverted from a purpose; not fickle or wavering; as, a man of stable character.

3. (v. i.) Durable; not subject to overthrow or change; firm; as, a stable foundation; a stable position.

4. (v. t.) To fix; to establish.

5. (n.) A house, shed, or building, for beasts to lodge and feed in; esp., a building or apartment with stalls, for horses; as, a horse stable; a cow stable.

6. (v. t.) To put or keep in a stable.

7. (v. i.) To dwell or lodge in a stable; to dwell in an enclosed place; to kennel.

4731. stereos -- hard, firm
... 4731 -- (an adjective) properly, (firm); referring to what is immoveable (will budge);
stable (not changeable), standing fast without buckling or giving way ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4731.htm - 7k

949. bebaios -- firm, secure
... what can be tread upon") then refers to what is fully dependable, ie worthy of
confidence because on "." This describes what is fully (stable), and therefore ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/949.htm - 7k

4732. stereoo -- to make firm, strengthen
... Cognate: 4732 -- make stable (solid, immoveable). See 4731 (). Word Origin from
stereos Definition to make firm, strengthen NASB Word Usage strengthened (3). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4732.htm - 7k

4492. rhizoo -- to cause to take root
... root. From rhiza; to root (figuratively, become stable) -- root. see GREEK rhiza.
(errizomenoi) -- 2 Occurrences. 4491, 4492. rhizoo. 4493 . Strong's Numbers
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4492.htm - 6k

7517. repheth -- stable, stall
... 7516, 7517. repheth. 7518 . stable, stall. Transliteration: repheth Phonetic
Spelling: (reh'-feth) Short Definition: stalls. Word ...
/hebrew/7517.htm - 6k

5116. naveh -- abode of shepherd or flocks, habitation
... Short Definition: comely. comely, dwelling place, fold, habitation, pleasant
place, sheepcote, stable, tarried Or (feminine) navah ...
/hebrew/5116.htm - 6k

3559. kun -- to be firm
... ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision,
(be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable, (e-)stablish ...
/hebrew/3559.htm - 7k

What the Stable Creation Teaches
... WHAT THE STABLE CREATION TEACHES. 'If ... Lord. God's unchangeable love is the
true lesson from the stable regularity of the universe. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/what the stable creation teaches.htm

Things Perishing and Things Stable
... Strong Meat for Hungry Souls: The Gospel of St. Mark CHAPTER 13:1-7 THINGS
PERISHING AND THINGS STABLE. "And as He went forth out ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 13 1-7 things perishing and.htm

When Diamond Got Round the Corner of the Hay...
... And just beside him was the ladder going straight down into the stable, up which
his father always came to fetch the hay for Diamond's dinner. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 2 when diamond got.htm

New York to California
... the time if they were policemen or conductors in the electric cars, I find the street
and presently I saw the number above the door of a great big livery stable ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter vii new york to.htm

Mountains Round Mount Zion
... There is one way to make them stable, and only one; and that is that they shall
be fastened, as it were, to that which is stable, and so be steadfast because ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/mountains round mount zion.htm

Was, Is, is to Come
... The thing that befell at Bethlehem, in the stable of the inn, was a commonplace
and insignificant enough event looked at from the outside: the birth of a child ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/was is is to come.htm

Whether we Ought to Love More those who are Connected with us by ...
... If however we compare union with union, it is evident that the union arising from
natural origin is prior to, and more stable than, all others, because it is ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether we ought to love 5.htm

It was Friday Night, and Diamond, Like the Rest of the Household.. ...
... It blew him right up to the stable-door, and went on blowing. "She wants me to go
into the stable," said Diamond to himself. "but the door is locked.". ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 32 it was friday.htm

Jesus is Born in Bethlehem
... And because there was no room for them in the inn, Mary and Joseph had to go into
that stable to sleep, and in that stable Jesus Christ was born. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter ii jesus is born.htm

Be for Thou Art'
... Stable being, as it seems to me, is the first thought in it, for there is nothing
that is more absolutely the type of unchangeableness and steadfast continuance ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/be for thou art.htm

Stable (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) Firmly established; not easily moved,
shaken, or overthrown; fixed; as, a stable government. 2 ...
/s/stable.htm - 8k

Stall (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A stand; a station; a fixed spot; hence, the stand or place where a horse
or an ox kept and fed; the division of a stable, or the compartment, for one ...
/s/stall.htm - 11k

Stability (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The state or quality of being stable, or firm; steadiness; firmness; strength
to stand without being moved or overthrown; as, the stability of a ...
/s/stability.htm - 8k

Establish (133 Occurrences)
... 1. (v.) To make stable or firm; to fix immovably or firmly; to set (a thing)
in a place and make it stable there; to settle; to confirm. ...
/e/establish.htm - 39k

Bethlehem (49 Occurrences)
... by Constantine the Great (AD 330), called the "Church of the Nativity," over a grotto
or cave called the "holy crypt," and said to be the "stable" in which ...
/b/bethlehem.htm - 31k

Inn (7 Occurrences)
... that in this they were disappointed, and had to content themselves with the next
best, the elevated platform alongside the interior of the stable, and on which ...
/i/inn.htm - 17k

Stablish (12 Occurrences)

/s/stablish.htm - 9k

Nativity (9 Occurrences)
... Christ. The simplest form is the babe in a rude cradle, and the heads of
an ox and an ass to express the stable in which he was born. ...
/n/nativity.htm - 11k

Unstable (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not stable; not firm, fixed, or constant; subject
to change or overthrow. Multi-Version Concordance Unstable (8 Occurrences). ...
/u/unstable.htm - 8k

Indissoluble (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Incapable of being rightfully broken or dissolved; perpetually binding or
obligatory; firm; stable, as, an indissoluble league or covenant. ...
/i/indissoluble.htm - 7k

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