In biblical times, the concept of a cellar, while not explicitly detailed in the Scriptures, can be inferred from various passages that describe storage practices and architectural features of ancient dwellings. A cellar, as understood in the context of the Bible, would have been a subterranean or semi-subterranean space used primarily for storage purposes, particularly for food, wine, and other provisions.

Biblical References and Context

1. Storage of Wine and Provisions: The Bible frequently mentions the storage of wine, which would have been a common use for a cellar. In the Song of Solomon 2:4, the bride speaks of being brought to the "banquet hall," which some translations render as "wine cellar" or "house of wine": "He has brought me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love" . This suggests a place where wine was stored and enjoyed, possibly indicating a cellar-like environment.

2. Architectural Features: While the term "cellar" is not directly used, the concept aligns with the storage rooms and chambers mentioned in the construction of the Temple and other significant buildings. For instance, in 1 Kings 6:5-6, Solomon's Temple is described as having side chambers built around the walls, which could have functioned similarly to cellars for storing temple provisions and treasures.

3. Provisions and Wealth: Proverbs 3:9-10 speaks to the abundance and blessing associated with proper storage and management of resources: "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" . While barns are mentioned, the overflow of wine suggests the need for adequate storage facilities, akin to cellars.

4. Symbolism and Imagery: The imagery of a cellar can also be seen in the metaphorical language of the Bible. In Isaiah 24:7-9, the joy of wine is contrasted with the desolation of judgment: "The new wine dries up, the vine withers. All the merrymakers groan. The joyful tambourines have ceased; the noise of revelers has stopped; the joyful harp is silent. They no longer sing and drink wine; strong drink is bitter to those who consume it" . This passage highlights the cultural importance of wine and, by extension, the places where it was stored.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In ancient Israel, cellars would have been essential for preserving food and drink, especially in a climate where temperature control was crucial for preventing spoilage. These spaces were typically cool and dark, providing an ideal environment for storing perishable goods. The construction of cellars would have varied depending on the region and available materials, but they were generally built underground or partially underground to take advantage of the natural insulation provided by the earth.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the concept of a cellar can be seen as a metaphor for the prudent and wise management of God's blessings. Just as a cellar stores and preserves valuable resources, believers are called to steward their gifts and provisions wisely, ensuring that they are used for God's glory and the benefit of others. The cellar, therefore, serves as a symbol of preparation, foresight, and the responsible care of the abundance provided by the Lord.A subterranean vault (1 Chronicles 27:28), a storehouse. The word is also used to denote the treasury of the temple (1 Kings 7:51) and of the king (14:26). The Hebrew word is rendered "garner" in Joel 1:17, and "armoury" in Jeremiah 50:25. (n.) A room or rooms under a building, and usually below the surface of the ground, where provisions and other stores are kept.CELLAR

sel'-er, sel'-ar (krupte; 'otsar): Krupte is found only in Luke 11:33, and is rendered "cellar" in the Revised Version (British and American); the King James Version has "secret place." In this passage it doubtless means a cellar beneath a house. Etymologically the Greek word means "a covered place," and in classical Greek its usage includes vaults and crypts as well as cellars. It seems evident that it was only the larger houses in Palestine in which cellars were used with any frequency. It is shown by the excavations that in rebuilding a town which was in ruins the old houses were sometimes utilized as cellars for the new. 'otsar, is rendered cellar only in 1 Chronicles 27:27. It is an erroneous rendering, the correct meaning being stores, or supplies, of wine and oil.

George Ricker Berry

2926. krupte -- a crypt
... a crypt. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: krupte Phonetic Spelling:
(kroop-tay') Short Definition: a cellar, vault Definition: a cellar, vault ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2926.htm - 6k214. otsar -- treasure, store, a treasury, storehouse
... armory, cellar, garner, storehouse, treasure-house. From 'atsar; a depository --
armory, cellar, garner, store(-house), treasure(-house) (-y). see HEBREW 'atsar ...
/hebrew/214.htm - 6k

6746. tselochith -- a jar
... cruse. From tsalach; something prolonged or tall, ie A vial or salt-cellar -- cruse.
see HEBREW tsalach. 6745, 6746. tselochith. 6747 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6746.htm - 6k

Wesley Sleeps in a Cellar
... Chapter 9. Wesley's Marriage; Dealings with Cornwall Smugglers; His Illness
and Recovery Wesley Sleeps in a Cellar. Monday, May 25 ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley sleeps in a cellar.htm

In the Sod Cellar
... CHAPTER II In the Sod Cellar. ... Within this cellar a large supply of tobacco leaves
had been stored. John had been in the cellar many times. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byrum/how john became a man/chapter ii in the sod.htm

Life on the Top Floor
... It is when a man leaves the top story and deliberately walks down and spends an
hour in the cellar that temptation passes from temptation into sin. ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/v life on the top.htm

This ChapterTreats of the Beauty and Dignity of Our Souls and ...
... it shall then pass on to the third; and then through the seven mansions, the seven
degrees of love, until the Bridegroom shall bring it to the "cellar of wine ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter i this chapter treats.htm

The Angel
... "I will tell you why, as we fly onward. "Down yonder in the narrow lane, in the
low cellar, lived a poor sick boy; from his childhood he had been bedridden. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/wells/bible stories and religious classics/the angel.htm

What the Flowers Say.
... So ought we to be. A plant cannot grow, and blossom, in a dark cellar. ... The ill-tempered
child has no sunshine on his face. He lives down in a dark cellar. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lxi what the flowers.htm

Of the Conversion of Evodius, and the Death of his Mother when ...
... advice, "You drink water only because you have not control of wine; but when you
have come to be married, and made mistresses of storeroom and cellar, you will ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter viii of the conversion of.htm

First Part.
... Christ is sayd to lead his Spouse into the wine-cellar: which Simily Bernard delighting
oft to repeat, in two or three Sermons interprets of a speciall measure ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/first part.htm

The Slave's Girdle
... of yourself. The top storeys may be beautifully furnished, but there are
some ugly things and rubbish down in the cellar. There ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the slaves girdle.htm

A Burning and Shining Lamp.
... It is a wonderful thing how often God puts his lighted candles in the
cellar. ... This is your cellar-life, your dungeon experience. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xiii a burning and shining.htm

Cellar (1 Occurrence)
... are kept. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CELLAR. sel'-er, sel ... for the new.
'otsar, is rendered cellar only in 1 Chronicles 27:27. It is ...
/c/cellar.htm - 8k

Cell (8 Occurrences)

/c/cell.htm - 9k

Vault (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) An arched apartment; especially, a subterranean room, use for storing articles,
for a prison, for interment, or the like; a cell; a cellar. ...
/v/vault.htm - 9k

Under (4325 Occurrences)
... with the idea of being covered; lower than; beneath; -- opposed to over; as, he
stood under a tree; the carriage is under cover; a cellar extends under the ...
/u/under.htm - 8k

Lit (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Luke 11:33 "No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a cellar or under
a basket, but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light. (WEB DBY). ...
/l/lit.htm - 9k

Lights (71 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:33 "When any one lights a lamp, he never puts it in the cellar or under
the bushel, but on the lampstand, that people who come in may see the light. ...
/l/lights.htm - 27k

Instead (139 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:33 "No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a cellar or under a basket,
but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light. (See NIV). ...
/i/instead.htm - 36k

Treasurer (6 Occurrences)
... 2. Storehouse: "Storehouse," not the thing stored but the place of storage; 'otsar
means depository, cellar, garner, armory, store or treasure-house. ...
/t/treasurer.htm - 17k

Treasure (66 Occurrences)
... 2. Storehouse: "Storehouse," not the thing stored but the place of storage; 'otsar
means depository, cellar, garner, armory, store or treasure-house. ...
/t/treasure.htm - 36k

Treasury (25 Occurrences)
... 2. Storehouse: "Storehouse," not the thing stored but the place of storage; 'otsar
means depository, cellar, garner, armory, store or treasure-house. ...
/t/treasury.htm - 27k

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