Jump to: ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, a barn was a structure used for storing grain and other agricultural produce. The concept of a barn is mentioned several times throughout the Bible, often symbolizing abundance, provision, and sometimes, misplaced trust in material wealth.Old Testament References The Old Testament provides several references to barns, primarily in the context of agricultural prosperity. In Genesis 41:48-49, during the time of Joseph in Egypt, barns were used to store the surplus grain during the seven years of plenty: "Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance and stored it in the cities. In every city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it." This storage was crucial for the survival of Egypt and surrounding nations during the subsequent famine. Proverbs 3:9-10 highlights the blessing associated with honoring God with one's wealth: "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." Here, barns symbolize the reward of faithfulness and generosity towards God. New Testament References In the New Testament, barns are mentioned in the teachings of Jesus, often to illustrate spiritual truths. In the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21), Jesus warns against placing trust in material wealth. The rich man in the parable decides to build larger barns to store his abundant crops, saying, "I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods" (Luke 12:18). However, God calls him a fool, as his life is demanded of him that very night, emphasizing the futility of hoarding earthly treasures without being "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21). Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons Barns in the Bible often symbolize God's provision and the importance of stewardship. They remind believers of the need to trust in God's provision rather than in material wealth. The imagery of full barns is used to convey the blessings that come from obedience and faithfulness to God, as seen in Proverbs 3:9-10. Moreover, the teachings of Jesus regarding barns challenge believers to consider their priorities and the state of their hearts. The Parable of the Rich Fool serves as a caution against greed and self-reliance, urging believers to focus on spiritual riches and eternal values. Cultural and Historical Context In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, barns were essential for storing the harvest and ensuring food security. They were typically simple structures, often made of wood or stone, designed to protect the grain from the elements and pests. The presence of full barns was a sign of God's blessing and favor, while empty barns could indicate famine or divine judgment. Overall, the concept of barns in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for God's provision, the importance of wise stewardship, and the dangers of materialism. Through the imagery of barns, Scripture calls believers to trust in God's sufficiency and to prioritize spiritual wealth over earthly possessions. Easton's Bible Dictionary A storehouse (Deuteronomy 28:8; Job 39:12; Haggai 2:19) for grain, which was usually under ground, although also sometimes above ground (Luke 12:18). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A covered building used chiefly for storing grain, hay, and other productions of a farm. In the United States a part of the barn is often used for stables.2. (v. t.) To lay up in a barn. 3. (n.) A child. [Obs.] See Bairn. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BARNbarn (meghurah, "a granary," "fear," Haggai 2:19; acam, "a storehouse," Proverbs 3:10; mammeghurah, "a repository," Joel 1:17; apotheke, Matthew 6:26; Matthew 13:30 Luke 12:18, 24): A place for the storing of grain, usually a dry cistern in the ground, covered over with a thick layer of earth. "Grain is not stored in the East until it is threshed and winnowed. The apotheke in Roman times was probably a building of some kind. But the immemorial usage of the East has been to conceal the grain, in carefully prepared pits or caves, which, being perfectly dry, will preserve it for years. It thus escaped, as far as possible, the attentions of the tax-gatherer as well as of the robber-not always easily distinguished in the East; compare Jeremiah 41:8 " (Temple Dictionary, 215). Greek 596. apotheke -- a place for putting away, hence a storehouse ... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apotheke Phonetic Spelling: (ap-oth-ay'-kay) Short Definition: a repository, granary, barn, storehouse Definition: ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/596.htm - 6k 5009. tameion -- an inner chamber Strong's Hebrew 4035. megurah -- a storehouse, granary... 4034, 4035. megurah. 4036 . a storehouse, granary. Transliteration: megurah Phonetic Spelling: (meg-oo-raw') Short Definition: barn. ... barn, fear. ... /hebrew/4035.htm - 6k 4460. mammegurah -- granary, storehouse 1637. goren -- threshing floor 618. asam -- a storehouse Library On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xiii. 19, Etc. , Where the Lord ... The Death of the Christian Answers to Prayer. How Brother Giles Went to St James the Great Perfect Knowledge Cannot be Attained in the Present Life: Many ... Toplady Wesley in the Fens Anxious About Earth, or Earnest About the Kingdom Conjunctions, 99-111 Influence of the Lxx. On Christian Biblical Literature. Thesaurus Barn (6 Occurrences)... In the United States a part of the barn is often used for stables. 2. (vt) To lay up in a barn. 3. (n.) A child. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BARN. ... /b/barn.htm - 10k Barn-floor (1 Occurrence) Wheat (56 Occurrences) Mow (1 Occurrence) Burn (206 Occurrences) Unquenchable (5 Occurrences) Fork (8 Occurrences) Floor (69 Occurrences) Threshing (57 Occurrences) Thoroughly (48 Occurrences) Resources What is the meaning of the Greek word kairos? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the seven baptisms mentioned in the Bible, and what do they mean? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about karma? | GotQuestions.org Barn: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Barn (6 Occurrences)Matthew 3:12 Matthew 13:30 Luke 3:17 Luke 12:24 Job 39:12 Haggai 2:19 Subtopics Barn: General Scriptures Concerning Related Terms |
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