Granaries, also known as storehouses or barns, are structures used for the storage of grain and other agricultural produce. In biblical times, granaries played a crucial role in the agrarian society of the ancient Near East, serving as a means to preserve food supplies and ensure sustenance during times of scarcity. The concept of granaries is woven throughout the biblical narrative, symbolizing both God's provision and human stewardship.

Biblical References and Significance

1. Joseph's Administration in Egypt: One of the most notable references to granaries in the Bible is found in the account of Joseph. After interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, which foretold seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine, Joseph was appointed to oversee the collection and storage of grain. Genesis 41:48-49 states, "During the seven years of abundance, the land brought forth bountifully. So Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt during those seven years and stored it in the cities. In every city, he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it." This strategic use of granaries not only saved Egypt but also neighboring nations, highlighting the importance of preparation and foresight.

2. Symbol of God's Provision: Granaries are often seen as a symbol of God's provision and blessing. In Proverbs 3:9-10 , it is written, "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." This passage underscores the principle that honoring God with one's resources leads to divine blessing and abundance.

3. Warnings Against Greed: The New Testament also uses the imagery of granaries to teach moral lessons. In the Parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus warns against greed and the accumulation of wealth without regard for God. Luke 12:18-21 recounts the rich man's decision: "Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.’" However, God calls him a fool, for his life is demanded of him that very night, illustrating the futility of hoarding earthly treasures without being "rich toward God."

4. Agricultural Practices: Granaries were an essential part of the agricultural practices in ancient Israel. The Law of Moses included provisions for the storage and distribution of grain, ensuring that the needs of the community, including the poor and the Levites, were met. Deuteronomy 28:8 promises, "The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in everything to which you put your hand, and He will bless you in the land the LORD your God is giving you."

5. Spiritual Lessons: Beyond their practical use, granaries serve as a metaphor for spiritual truths. The gathering and storing of grain can be likened to the gathering of souls into God's kingdom. In Matthew 13:30 , Jesus speaks of the final judgment, saying, "Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters, ‘First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’"

In summary, granaries in the Bible are multifaceted symbols representing God's provision, human responsibility, and spiritual truths. They remind believers of the importance of wise stewardship, reliance on divine providence, and the eternal significance of spiritual readiness.(n.) Plural of Granary.

The Story of Benjamin.
... of trial he prospered so well that he became one of the chief officers of the king,
having among other tasks the care of the royal granaries or storehouses of ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the story of benjamin.htm

The Old Store an the New
... people's wants. All through the winter, and the spring, and the ripening
summer, their granaries shall yield supplies. There will ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the old store an the.htm

Corn in Egypt
... The fountain is filled to the brim; the granaries are full of the good old
corn of the kingdom. There is no reason why we should perish. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/corn in egypt.htm

Greek and Jew
... "What is that?" he asked of the Greek. "That, master, is the city granaries.".
"The granaries!" the Ephesian cried, aghast. The Greek inclined his head. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter viii greek and jew.htm

Preparations for the Invasion of Greece.
... Mount Athos."Plan of a canal."The Greeks do not interfere."Plans of the
engineers."Prosecution of the work."The Strymon bridged."Granaries and store ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter iv preparations for the.htm

The Condescension of Christ
... That is how my God deals with me; he gives to the rich man all at once, but to me
day by day." Ah, Egypt, thou wert rich when thy granaries were full, but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the condescension of christ.htm

A Strain of the Judgment of the Lord.
... vine. Ferment in gladsome grapes away; and makes. Full granaries by fruit of
slender stalks. distended be; or makes the tree grow ripe. ...
/.../unknown/fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/4 a strain of the.htm

Of the Hindrances which an Unbelieving Husband Puts in his Wife's ...
... If a pilgrim brother arrive, what hospitality for him in an alien home? If bounty
is to be distributed to any, the granaries, the storehouses, are foreclosed. ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter iv of the hindrances which.htm

Daily Bread.
... The grain which Joseph stored in Pharaoh's granaries, and with which he fed his
brethren, was precisely similar to the produce of your own fields. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lxii daily bread.htm

Acts XXVII
... of Adramyttium. Their new vessel was one of the many grain ships which
supplied Rome with bread from the granaries of Egypt. [559 ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxvii.htm

Granaries (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Granary. Multi-Version Concordance
Granaries (7 Occurrences). Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds ...
/g/granaries.htm - 8k

Nourishes (3 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, nor reap, nor
gather into granaries, and your heavenly Father nourishes them. ...
/n/nourishes.htm - 7k

Nourish (16 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, nor reap, nor
gather into granaries, and your heavenly Father nourishes them. ...
/n/nourish.htm - 13k

Joseph (248 Occurrences)
... As Joseph had interpreted, seven years of plenty came, during which he stored
up great abundance of corn in granaries built for the purpose. ...
/j/joseph.htm - 91k

Grain-stores (1 Occurrence)
Grain-stores. Grain-stems, Grain-stores. Granaries . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Grain-stems, Grain-stores. Granaries . Reference Bible.
/g/grain-stores.htm - 6k

Granary (4 Occurrences)

/g/granary.htm - 8k

Wolf (4 Occurrences)
... from the door. 4. (n.) A white worm, or maggot, which infests granaries.
5. (n.) An eating ulcer or sore. Cf. Lupus. 6. (n.) The ...
/w/wolf.htm - 13k

Rotted (4 Occurrences)
... Joel 1:17 Rotted have scattered things under their clods, Desolated have been
storehouses, Broken down have been granaries, For withered hath the corn. (YLT). ...
/r/rotted.htm - 7k

Excellent (52 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, nor reap, nor
gather into granaries, and your heavenly Father nourishes them. ...
/e/excellent.htm - 24k

Desolated (21 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Joel 1:17 Rotted have scattered things under their clods, Desolated have
been storehouses, Broken down have been granaries, For withered hath the corn. ...
/d/desolated.htm - 13k

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