In the biblical context, "abodes" refer to dwellings or places of residence, both physical and spiritual. The concept of abodes is significant throughout the Bible, symbolizing not only the physical places where people live but also the spiritual states or conditions of individuals and communities.

Physical Abodes

1. Tents and Temporary Dwellings: In the patriarchal narratives, tents are frequently mentioned as the abodes of the nomadic ancestors of Israel. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived in tents as they sojourned in the land of Canaan. Genesis 12:8 states, "From there Abram moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east."

2. Houses and Permanent Structures: As the Israelites settled in the Promised Land, they transitioned from tents to more permanent structures. The construction of houses is often mentioned in the context of establishing a stable community. Deuteronomy 6:10-11 describes the transition: "And when the LORD your God brings you into the land He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that He would give you—a land with great and splendid cities that you did not build, with houses full of every good thing with which you did not fill them..."

3. Palaces and Royal Abodes: The Bible also describes the grand abodes of kings and rulers. Solomon's palace, for instance, is detailed in 1 Kings 7, showcasing the wealth and splendor of his reign. 1 Kings 7:1 notes, "Solomon, however, took thirteen years to complete the construction of his entire palace."

Spiritual Abodes

1. Heavenly Abodes: The Bible frequently refers to heaven as the ultimate abode for believers. Jesus speaks of preparing a place for His followers in John 14:2 : "In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?"

2. Abodes of the Wicked: Conversely, the Bible also speaks of abodes for the wicked, often depicted as places of judgment or separation from God. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man finds himself in Hades, a place of torment, as described in Luke 16:23 : "In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side."

3. The Abode of God: The temple in Jerusalem is described as the earthly abode of God, where His presence dwelt among His people. 1 Kings 8:13 records Solomon's dedication of the temple: "I have indeed built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever."

4. The Believer's Body as an Abode: In the New Testament, the concept of the believer's body as a temple or abode of the Holy Spirit is introduced. 1 Corinthians 6:19 states, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own."

Symbolic and Metaphorical Abodes

1. Abodes of Peace and Rest: The Bible often uses the imagery of abodes to symbolize peace and rest. Psalm 23:6 expresses this sentiment: "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

2. Abodes of Desolation: Conversely, abodes can also symbolize desolation and abandonment, as seen in prophetic literature. Isaiah 5:9 warns, "I heard the LORD of Hosts declare: 'Surely many houses will become desolate, great mansions left unoccupied.'"

The concept of abodes in the Bible encompasses a wide range of meanings, from the literal to the metaphorical, reflecting the diverse ways in which dwelling places are used to convey spiritual truths and human experiences.

Whether So Many Abodes Should be Distinguished?
... TREATISE ON THE RESURRECTION (QQ -86)OF MATTERS CONCERNING THE RESURRECTION, AND
FIRST OF THE PLACE WHERE SOULS ARE Whether so many abodes should be ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether so many abodes should.htm

The Lofty Mind and Constancy of the Sacred virgins; the ...
... Discourse VIII."Thekla. Chapter II."The Lofty Mind and Constancy of the Sacred Virgins;
The Introduction of Virgins into the Blessed Abodes Before Others. ...
/.../chapter ii the lofty mind and.htm

Whether the Souls who are in Heaven or Hell are Able to Go from ...
... Objection 3: Further, as stated above [5027](A[2]), abodes are awarded to souls
after death as a reward or punishment. ... Therefore they do not quit their abodes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the souls who are.htm

On Turning the First Page of the Review which Follows...
... a prolonged play of the forces of fire and water rendering the prim??val regions
of North Asia uninhabitable, and urging the nations to new abodes." (Of what ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/ii on turning the first.htm

A Benedictine Monastery
... would fell the trees, and erect temporary huts for themselves; then the chapel was
built and service celebrated; then more permanent abodes were constructed ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/a benedictine monastery.htm

The Springs of Social Life.
... And these are the abodes of the children of fortune, whose wishes require no talisman
but expression, who, all their lives long, have been used to such ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse v the springs of.htm

Whether Souls are Conveyed to Heaven or Hell Immediately after ...
... the final resurrection holds the souls in secret receptacles according as each one
is worthy of rest or of suffering." Now these secret abodes cannot denote ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether souls are conveyed to.htm

Psalm CXLVIII.
... He hath assigned dwellers to their different abodes; incorruption He assigned to
incorruptible abodes, corruptible things to corruptible abodes. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlviii.htm

Degrees of Glory in Heaven.
... about the Gnostics. Conformably, therefore, there are various abodes, according
to the worth of those who have believed. [3408] To ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xiv degrees of glory in.htm

The Work Awaiting the Worker
... In very early ages they displayed the instinct for colonization and sent forth their
sons to find new abodes on the east and the west, far from their native ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter v the work awaiting.htm

Abodes (1 Occurrence)
...Abodes (1 Occurrence). John 14:2 In my Father's house there are many abodes; were
it not so, I had told you: for I go to prepare you a place; (DBY). ...
/a/abodes.htm - 6k

Abodest (1 Occurrence)

/a/abodest.htm - 6k

Savage (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Uncivilized; barbarous; untamed; of or pertaining to the forest; remote
from human abodes and cultivation; in a state of nature; wild; as, a savage ...
/s/savage.htm - 7k

Abode (112 Occurrences)

/a/abode.htm - 36k

Hellenism
... at Dodona (chiefly in the period before the 7th century) and Olympia, of Apollo
at Delos and Delphi, and of Hera at Argos, were the favored abodes of Olympians ...
/h/hellenism.htm - 26k

Hellenist
... at Dodona (chiefly in the period before the 7th century) and Olympia, of Apollo
at Delos and Delphi, and of Hera at Argos, were the favored abodes of Olympians ...
/h/hellenist.htm - 26k

Images (158 Occurrences)
... Terms: (1) Matstsebhah ("pillar"): matstsebhah: These were upright stone pillars,
often mentioned in the Old Testament, sometimes as abodes (Bethels) or ...
/i/images.htm - 70k

Jeroboam (96 Occurrences)
... The sovereign had both a winter and a summer palace. The description of a banqueting
scene within one of these palatial abodes is lifelike in its portraiture. ...
/j/jeroboam.htm - 62k

House (20110 Occurrences)
... As the people increased and grouped themselves into communities, these abodes were
supplemented by systems of artificial caves which, in some cases, developed ...
/h/house.htm - 39k

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