Topical Bible: Gardens: Often Used for Entertainments

◄ Gardens: Often Used for Entertainments ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Gardens in biblical times were not only places of cultivation and sustenance but also served as venues for entertainment and social gatherings. The concept of a garden as a place of beauty and leisure is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting both the divine order of creation and the human desire for fellowship and enjoyment.

Biblical References and Context

The Bible frequently mentions gardens as settings for significant events and interactions. In the Song of Solomon, gardens are depicted as places of romantic and intimate encounters. The lush imagery of gardens in this poetic book highlights their role as spaces of delight and celebration. For instance, Song of Solomon 4:12-16 describes a garden as a locked paradise, filled with choice fruits and spices, symbolizing beauty and abundance.

In the prophetic literature, gardens are sometimes used metaphorically to describe the blessings and prosperity of God's people. Isaiah 51:3 states, "For the LORD will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places, and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song." Here, the transformation of desolation into a garden signifies restoration and joy, underscoring the garden's association with divine favor and celebration.

Historical and Cultural Significance

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, gardens were often attached to royal palaces and estates, serving as venues for banquets, feasts, and other forms of entertainment. These gardens were meticulously designed to provide a serene and opulent environment, reflecting the wealth and status of their owners. The biblical account of King Solomon's reign suggests that such gardens were part of his extensive building projects, contributing to the grandeur of his court.

The Garden of Eden, as described in Genesis, serves as the archetype of all gardens, representing the ideal state of harmony and fellowship between God and humanity. While primarily a place of divine-human interaction, Eden also embodies the concept of a perfect environment for enjoyment and fulfillment.

Gardens in the Life of Jesus

In the New Testament, gardens continue to play a role in the narrative of Jesus' life and ministry. The Garden of Gethsemane is perhaps the most notable example, where Jesus spent time in prayer and reflection before His arrest (Matthew 26:36-46). While this garden is associated with a moment of deep anguish, it also serves as a place of intimate communion with the Father, highlighting the dual nature of gardens as spaces for both personal reflection and communal interaction.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

Gardens in the Bible often symbolize the presence and blessing of God. They are places where the natural world reflects divine order and beauty, providing a setting for human enjoyment and spiritual reflection. The imagery of gardens in Scripture invites believers to consider the balance between work and rest, cultivation and enjoyment, and the temporal and eternal aspects of life.

In summary, gardens in the biblical narrative are multifaceted spaces that serve as settings for entertainment, reflection, and divine encounter. They reflect the beauty and abundance of God's creation and offer a glimpse into the harmonious relationship intended between God and humanity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Songs 5:1
I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yes, drink abundantly, O beloved.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Pagan Cemeteries.
... Tombstones often mention transactions of this kind, and state ... or maker of caligae,
which were used chiefly by ... The gardens of Sallust were surrounded by it on ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vi pagan cemeteries.htm

The Life of Sir Thomas Browne.
... not upon Digby, who was to be used with ceremony ... it in the description of the hanging
gardens of Babylon ... not skilled in oriental botany; and are often of more ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/the life of sir thomas.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... Building and ornamental woods are often mentioned in ... as well as the words must have
been imported into Egypt, eg the quiver, the sword and javelins used by the ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

Conclusion --Repent Ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand.
... This is stated in all catechisms or books used in schools ... One often wonders why a
fashionable lady or an artist ... and she could not have her entertainments and her ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter xii conclusionrepent ye for.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... years, allowed their critical faculties, and often their imagination ... banquets, and
entertainments in the gardens in company ... II of the East, used neither saddle ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... The former, although given various privileges, was crushed down by being obliged
to continue in what was often an unprofitable occupation; the latter was made ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

part i
... said of Thyself: "I am meek and lowly in heart." [44] True it is that often our
evil ... out of bread and wine, which are so near to our flesh, being used for our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm