In biblical terms, a "coffer" refers to a chest or box used for storing valuable items, often made of wood and sometimes overlaid with precious metals. The term is not frequently used in most modern translations of the Bible, but it appears in certain contexts that highlight its significance in ancient Israelite culture and religious practices.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Samuel 6:8, 11, 15 : The most notable mention of a coffer in the Bible is found in the narrative of the Ark of the Covenant's return by the Philistines. After suffering plagues, the Philistines decided to send the Ark back to Israel along with a guilt offering. They placed the Ark on a new cart and alongside it, a coffer containing gold objects as a guilt offering. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Take the Ark of the LORD and place it on the cart, and put the gold objects you are sending Him as a guilt offering in a box beside it. Then send it on its way." This coffer held the golden tumors and rats, symbols of the plagues that had afflicted them, acknowledging the power of the God of Israel.

2. Cultural and Religious Significance: In ancient Israel, coffers were not only practical storage solutions but also held religious and cultural significance. They were often used to store sacred items, offerings, or treasures. The use of a coffer in the context of the Ark's return underscores the reverence and fear the Philistines had for the God of Israel, as they sought to appease Him with offerings.

3. Symbolism: The coffer in 1 Samuel symbolizes the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and the necessity of atonement. The Philistines' act of placing the guilt offering in a coffer alongside the Ark signifies their recognition of the need to honor and respect the divine presence associated with the Ark.

4. Construction and Design: While the Bible does not provide detailed descriptions of the coffers used, it is likely that they were constructed with care and possibly adorned to reflect their purpose of holding valuable or sacred items. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, such containers were often crafted from durable materials and could be ornately decorated, especially when intended for religious use.

5. Broader Biblical Context: The concept of a coffer can be related to other biblical themes of storage and preservation, such as the Ark of the Covenant itself, which was a sacred chest containing the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. These items were preserved as a testimony to God's covenant and provision for His people.

In summary, the biblical use of a coffer, particularly in the context of 1 Samuel, highlights themes of reverence, atonement, and the acknowledgment of divine authority. It serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring God with offerings and recognizing His power and presence.Coffer

(argaz), a movable box hanging from the side of a cart. (1 Samuel 6:8,11,15) The word is found nowhere else.

The receptacle or small box placed beside the ark by the Philistines, in which they deposited the golden mice and the emerods as their trespass-offering (1 Samuel 6:8, 11, 15). 1. (n.) A casket, chest, or trunk; especially, one used for keeping money or other valuables.

2. (n.) Fig.: Treasure or funds; -- usually in the plural.

3. (n.) A panel deeply recessed in the ceiling of a vault, dome, or portico; a caisson.

4. (n.) A trench dug in the bottom of a dry moat, and extending across it, to enable the besieged to defend it by a raking fire.

5. (n.) The chamber of a canal lock; also, a caisson or a cofferdam.

6. (v. t.) To put into a coffer.

7. (v. t.) To secure from leaking, as a shaft, by ramming clay behind the masonry or timbering.

8. (v. t.) To form with or in a coffer or coffers; to furnish with a coffer or coffers.

COFFER

kof'-er ('argaz): A small box such as that in which the Philistines placed their golden mice and other offerings in returning the Ark (1 Samuel 6:8, 11, 15).

712. argaz -- a box, chest
... coffer. Perhaps from ragaz (in the sense of being suspended), a box (as a pannier) --
coffer. see HEBREW ragaz. 711, 712. argaz. 713 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/712.htm - 6k

1595. genez -- treasury, perhaps chests
... chest, treasury. From an unused root meaning to store; treasure; by implication,
a coffer -- chest, treasury. 1594, 1595. genez. 1596 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1595.htm - 6k

The Ark among the Flags
... Miriam was probably the anxious sister who watched what became of the little coffer. ...
How much of the world's history that tiny coffer among the reeds held! ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the ark among the flags.htm

Psalm LIII.
... that He may be made rich, on God doth not call: for upon that He calleth which to
himself he willeth to come....But now thou wouldest have coffer full, and ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm liii.htm

A Letter from Origen to Gregory.
... from the Egyptians the vessels in the holy of holies were made,"the ark with its
lid, and the Cherubim, and the mercy-seat, and the golden coffer, where was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens letters/a letter from origen to 2.htm

Thou Shalt not Steal.
... For, as we have just said, to steal is to signify not only to empty our neighbor's
coffer and pockets, but to be grasping in the market, in all stores, booths ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not steal.htm

What was Heard in the Basilica of Peace
... high above the heavy mass of architecture, resting upon slim aerial little columns,
a buoyant aediculus shines like a coral tabernacle or a coffer of yellow ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii what was heard in.htm

Of the Sibyl.
... we ourselves, when in that city, ascertained from our cicerone, who showed us the
places in which she used to prophesy, that there was a certain coffer made of ...
/.../justin/justins hortatory address to the greeks/chapter xxxvii of the sibyl.htm

My God
... As the fountain in the garden,. As the candle in the dark,. As the treasure in
the coffer,. As the manna in the ark,. So, Lord, art Thou to me. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/my god.htm

Good or Bad Spirits?
... man with them. They began digging at eight, and after they had dug six
feet, saw the top of a coffer, or chest. But presently it ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/good or bad spirits.htm

Whether the Person Proceeding is Co-Eternal with his Principle, as ...
... a species. The eleventh is the realization of an idea [ideatio], as an external
coffer arises from the one in the mind. The twelfth ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the person proceeding is.htm

Psalm LXVII.
... If being good thou shalt have lost them, there is by thee the Comforter that hath
taken them away: the coffer is emptied of gold; the heart is full of faith ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxvii.htm

Coffer (3 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To put into a coffer. ... 8. (vt) To form with or in a coffer or coffers; to
furnish with a coffer or coffers. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. COFFER. ...
/c/coffer.htm - 8k

Box (13 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:8 and take the ark of Yahweh, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels
of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by its ...
/b/box.htm - 13k

Objects (30 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:8 and take the ark of Yahweh, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels
of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by its ...
/o/objects.htm - 15k

Figures (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:8 and take the ark of Yahweh, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels
of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by its ...
/f/figures.htm - 9k

Containing (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:11 and they put the ark of Yahweh on the cart, and the coffer with
the mice of gold and the images of their tumors. (See NIV). ...
/c/containing.htm - 10k

Chest (15 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews 'aron, generally rendered "ark"), the coffer
into which the contributions for the repair of the temple were put (2 Kings 12:9 ...
/c/chest.htm - 15k

Jewels (54 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:8 and take the ark of Yahweh, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels
of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by its ...
/j/jewels.htm - 23k

Articles (78 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:8 And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the
jewels of gold, which ye return Him for a guilt-offering, in a coffer by the ...
/a/articles.htm - 30k

Ark (212 Occurrences)
... The sacred ark is designated by a different Hebrew word, 'aron', which is the common
name for a chest or coffer used for any purpose (Genesis 50:26; 2 Kings 12 ...
/a/ark.htm - 84k

Cart (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:8 and take the ark of Yahweh, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels
of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by its ...
/c/cart.htm - 15k

Coffer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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