In biblical terms, the word "charger" refers to a large, flat dish or platter used for serving food. This term appears in several passages of the Bible, primarily in the context of ceremonial or significant events. The use of chargers in biblical times reflects the customs and practices of hospitality and dining in ancient Near Eastern cultures.

Old Testament References

The term "charger" is found in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of offerings and sacrifices. In the Book of Numbers, chargers are mentioned as part of the offerings brought by the leaders of Israel during the dedication of the altar. Each leader presented a silver charger as part of their offering:

· "His offering was one silver charger weighing one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering" (Numbers 7:13).

This passage highlights the use of chargers as vessels for presenting offerings to the Lord, emphasizing their role in religious ceremonies and the importance of giving with reverence and honor.

New Testament Reference

In the New Testament, the term "charger" is most notably associated with the account of John the Baptist's beheading. Herodias, through her daughter, requested the head of John the Baptist on a charger:

· "Prompted by her mother, she said, 'Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist'" (Matthew 14:8).

This event underscores the use of a charger as a serving dish, but in this context, it becomes a symbol of the tragic and unjust execution of a righteous man. The charger, in this narrative, serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of sin and the misuse of power.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

Chargers in biblical times were often made of precious metals such as silver, indicating their value and the esteem in which they were held. They were used in both sacred and secular settings, reflecting the customs of hospitality and the importance of communal meals in ancient society.

The symbolic use of chargers in the Bible can also be seen as a representation of the offering of one's best to God, as seen in the offerings of the leaders of Israel. In the New Testament, the charger becomes a symbol of the cost of discipleship and the reality of persecution faced by those who stand for truth.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of a charger, while seemingly mundane, carries with it layers of cultural, religious, and symbolic meaning. Whether used in the context of offerings or as part of a narrative of martyrdom, the charger serves as a reminder of the values and beliefs that underpin the biblical narrative.A bowl or deep dish. The silver vessels given by the heads of the tribes for the services of the tabernacle are so named (Numbers 7:13, etc.). The "charger" in which the Baptist's head was presented was a platter or flat wooden trencher (Matthew 14:8, 11; Mark 6:25, 28). The chargers of gold and silver of Ezra 1:9 were probably basins for receiving the blood of sacrifices. 1. (n.) One who, or that which charges.

2. (n.) An instrument for measuring or inserting a charge.

3. (n.) A large dish.

4. (n.) A horse for battle or parade.

CHARGER

char'-jer (the American Standard Revised Version "platter"): A word which meant in the older English speech a flat dish or platter. It is used in the Bible as the translation:

(1) of qe`arah, which in Numbers 7:19 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "platter") and repeatedly in that chapter denotes one of the gifts made by the several princes at the dedication of the tabernacle;

(2) of 'agharTal, a word of uncertain derivation used in Ezra 1:9 (the King James Version) twice to designate certain temple vessels which might better be called "libation bowls";

(3) of pinax, used Matthew 14:8, 11 Mark 6:25, 28 (EV) for the dish in which the head of John the Baptist was presented.

David Foster Estes

4094. pinax -- a board, dish
... word Definition a board, dish NASB Word Usage platter (5). charger, platter. Apparently
a form of plax; a plate -- charger, platter. see GREEK plax. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4094.htm - 6k7086. qearah -- a dish, platter
... charger, dish. Probably from qara'; a bowl (as cut out hollow) -- charger, dish.
see HEBREW qara'. 7085, 7086. qearah. 7087 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7086.htm - 6k

105. agartal -- a basin, basket
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a basin, basket NASB Word Usage dishes
(2). charger. Of uncertain derivation; a basin -- charger. 104, 105. ...
/hebrew/105.htm - 5k

The Return of Christ to the Earth Itself.
... The Greek word intimates a-war-horse or "charger." Note its color. ... Hence, in keeping
with His mission, He appears seated upon a white war-charger! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/7 the return of christ.htm

Is not He the Carpenter?
... head of John the Baptist." And she came in straightway with haste unto the king,
and asked, saying, "I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter vi is not he.htm

The Martyrdom of John
... And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will
that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.26. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the martyrdom of john.htm

The Martyrdom of John
... with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.8. And she, being before instructed
of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.9. And ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the martyrdom of john.htm

Herod
... And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will
that thou forthwith give me in a charger the head of John the Baptist. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 6 14-29 herod.htm

2 Cor. xii. 16-18
... "Give me here in a charger the head of John the Baptist." (Matthew 14:8.) Whither
rushest thou over precipices, wretched and miserable one? What? ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxviii 2 cor xii.htm

The Festival of Games, in Honor of Augustus, were About to Begin ...
... Two hundred mounted men of the cohort stood in triple rank some fifty paces from
the scene. Vergilius, on a white charger, was in front of the column. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 24 the festival of.htm

The Day was Near Its End. ...
... The horsemen resumed their journey. "Strange!" thought Vergilius, turning his charger
and looking back. ... "We waste time," said he, starting his charger. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 25 the day was.htm

St John the Baptist
... wife." We know the rest; how, at the request of Herodias' daughter, Herod sent and
beheaded John in prison, and how she took his head in a charger and brought ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxviii st john the.htm

Of the Priesthood of Aaron.
... Besides which, each head of a tribe brought a bowl, and a charger, and
a spoon, of ten darics, full of incense. Now the charger ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 of the priesthood.htm

Charger (17 Occurrences)
... The "charger" in which the Baptist's head was presented was a platter or flat
wooden trencher (Matthew 14:8, 11; Mark 6:25, 28). ...CHARGER. ...
/c/charger.htm - 14k

Mingled (62 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 And his offering was one silver charger, the weight thereof was an
hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the ...
/m/mingled.htm - 29k

Meat-offering (111 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Numbers 7:13 And his offering was one silver charger, the weight of which
was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the ...
/m/meat-offering.htm - 40k

Whereof (94 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:19 He offered for his offering one silver charger, the weight whereof
was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after ...
/w/whereof.htm - 36k

Damsel (43 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY YLT). Matthew 14:11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to
the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/d/damsel.htm - 20k

Platter (20 Occurrences)
... In the King James Version and the English Revised Version "charger," the American
Standard Revised Version "platter" (compare Exodus 25:29; Exodus 37:16); the ...
/p/platter.htm - 15k

Weighed (44 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:85 Each charger of silver weighing an hundred and thirty shekels, each
bowl seventy: all the silver vessels weighed two thousand and four hundred ...
/w/weighed.htm - 20k

Instructed (80 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS NIV). Matthew 14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said,
Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. (KJV WBS). ...
/i/instructed.htm - 29k

Machaerus
... held in the border fortress, to please Salome, who danced before him, he sent an
executioner, who beheaded John, and "brought his head in a charger, and gave ...
/m/machaerus.htm - 9k

Baptist's (1 Occurrence)
... Baptist's (1 Occurrence). Matthew 14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother,
said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. (KJV). ...
/b/baptist's.htm - 6k

Why is Jesus going to return on a white horse? | GotQuestions.org

Charger: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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