In the context of biblical times, the concept of an "apartment" as understood in modern terms did not exist. However, the Bible does provide insights into the living arrangements and domestic structures of ancient Near Eastern societies, which can offer a framework for understanding communal and private living spaces.

Biblical Context and Living Arrangements

In ancient Israel, housing structures were typically simple and functional, designed to accommodate the needs of extended families. The typical dwelling was a single-family home, often constructed with stone or mud-brick walls and a flat roof. These homes were usually clustered together in villages or towns, forming a close-knit community. The Bible frequently references "houses" and "rooms," which can be seen as the closest analogs to modern apartments.

For example, in the New Testament, Jesus speaks of "rooms" in His Father's house: "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?" (John 14:2). This passage, while primarily theological, uses the imagery of a dwelling with multiple rooms, suggesting a place of communal living with individual spaces.

Communal Living and Hospitality

The concept of shared living spaces is also evident in the practice of hospitality, a significant cultural and religious value in biblical times. The account of the widow of Zarephath, who provided lodging and sustenance for the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:8-24), illustrates the importance of opening one's home to others. Similarly, in the New Testament, the early Christians often gathered in homes for worship and fellowship, as seen in Acts 2:46: "With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart" .

Upper Rooms and Guest Chambers

The Bible also mentions "upper rooms" or "guest chambers," which were often used for special gatherings or as accommodations for guests. In the account of the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples gathered in an upper room: "He will show you a large upper room, already furnished. Make preparations there" (Mark 14:15). These upper rooms were typically located on the second floor of a house and could serve as a private space for meetings or lodging.

Symbolism and Spiritual Implications

While the Bible does not explicitly describe apartments, the imagery of dwelling places carries significant spiritual symbolism. The notion of God preparing a place for His people, as seen in John 14:2, reflects the promise of eternal communion with Him. Additionally, the communal aspects of living arrangements in biblical times underscore the importance of fellowship, unity, and hospitality within the body of believers.

In summary, while the term "apartment" is not found in the Bible, the principles of shared living spaces, hospitality, and communal life are deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, offering insights into the values and practices of ancient societies.1. (n.) A room in a building; a division in a house, separated from others by partitions.

2. (n.) A set or suite of rooms.

3. (n.) A compartment.

5253. huperoon -- the upper story, the upper rooms
... upper room. Neuter of a derivative of huper; a higher part of the house, ie Apartment
in the third story -- upper chamber (room). see GREEK huper. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5253.htm - 6k2315. cheder -- a chamber, room
... From chadar; an apartment (usually literal) -- ((bed) inner)chamber, innermost(-
ward) part, parlour, + south, X within. see HEBREW chadar. 2314, 2315. ...
/hebrew/2315.htm - 6k

"Well Then, when First, Having Left the Schools, I Attached Myself ...
... After that, entering a private apartment, and sitting down by himself, as his custom
was"for he secured for himself this retirement even in the church ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter i well then when.htm

In the Holy of Holies.
... figure of the service in the heavenly, when the high priest on the day of atonement
entered the most holy place, the ministration in the first apartment ceased ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /24 in the holy of.htm

In the Holy of Holies
... figure of the service in the heavenly, when the high priest on the Day of Atonement
entered the most holy place, the ministration in the first apartment ceased ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 24 in the holy.htm

God's Law Immutable
... The ark of God's testament is in the holy of holies, the second apartment of
the sanctuary. In the ministration of the earthly tabernacle ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 25 gods law immutable.htm

God's Law Immutable.
... in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament."(716) The
ark of God's testament is in the holy of holies, the second apartment of the ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /25 gods law immutable.htm

How God Answered Donald's Prayer
... One evening in particular I shall not forget. I was in an apartment below
the one in which we lived, partaking in a drunken party. ...
/.../how god answered donalds prayer.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... I was accused of uttering words disrespectful towards the Gefe Politico of Madrid;
my accuser was an officer of the police who entered my apartment one morning ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 46.htm

Tunkers.
... one of which is occupied by the brethren, the other by the sisters, of the society;
and in each of them there is a banqueting-room, and an apartment for public ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/tunkers.htm

To the Rev. Andrew Brandram
... stock. I returned to the hostelry, and sat down on a log of wood on the
hearth within the immense chimney in the common apartment. ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev andrew brandram.htm

The Invasion of Greece and the Battle of Marathon.
... which they were invited in the palace of Amyntas, they became somewhat excited with
wine, and asked to have the ladies of the court brought into the apartment. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter xi the invasion of.htm

Apartment (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Apartment (4 Occurrences). ... John 2:8 and he saith to them,
'Draw out, now, and bear to the director of the apartment;' and they bare. ...
/a/apartment.htm - 7k

Door (249 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An opening in the wall of a house or of
an apartment, by which to go in and out; an entrance way. ...
/d/door.htm - 40k

Director (10 Occurrences)
... Christ. (Root in YLT). John 2:8 and he saith to them, 'Draw out, now, and bear
to the director of the apartment;' and they bare. (YLT). ...
/d/director.htm - 9k

Portal (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) Formerly, a small square corner in a room separated from the rest of the
apartment by wainscoting, forming a short passage to another apartment. ...
/p/portal.htm - 7k

Partition (4 Occurrences)
... parts of the same thing, are separated; separating boundary; dividing line or space;
specifically, an interior wall dividing one part or apartment of a house ...
/p/partition.htm - 14k

Ben (40 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Alt. of Ben nut. 2. (adv. & prep.) Within;
in; in or into the interior; toward the inner apartment. ...
/b/ben.htm - 20k

Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)
... An apartment in Eastern houses, furnished with a slightly elevated platform at the
upper end and sometimes along the sides, on which were laid mattresses. ...
/b/bedchamber.htm - 20k

Closet (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A small room or apartment for retirement;
a room for privacy. 2. (n.) A small apartment, or recess ...
/c/closet.htm - 9k

Ape

/a/ape.htm - 8k

Hall (30 Occurrences)
... for cooking and eating. It was often contrasted with the bower, which was
the private or sleeping apartment. 3. (n.) A vestibule ...
/h/hall.htm - 19k

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