In biblical times, the term "litter" refers to a portable bed or couch, often used for transporting individuals, particularly those of high status or those unable to walk due to illness or injury. The concept of a litter is closely associated with the idea of carrying or bearing burdens, both physically and metaphorically, throughout the Scriptures.

Old Testament References

The use of litters is implied in several Old Testament passages, although the specific term "litter" may not always be explicitly mentioned. For instance, in Isaiah 66:20 , the prophet speaks of the return of the Israelites to Jerusalem, saying, "And they will bring all your brothers from all the nations as a gift to the LORD on horses and chariots and wagons and on mules and camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD." Here, the imagery of transportation and carrying is evident, suggesting the use of various means, including litters, for conveying people and offerings.

In the Song of Solomon 3:7 , a more direct reference to a litter is found: "Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty warriors from the valiant of Israel." The term "carriage" in this context can be understood as a type of litter or palanquin, used for the transport of royalty, indicating the honor and protection afforded to the one being carried.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not frequently mention litters, the concept of carrying individuals is present in the accounts of Jesus' healing miracles. In Mark 2:3-12 , the account of the paralytic man being lowered through the roof to reach Jesus is a notable example. Although the term "litter" is not used, the paralytic is carried on a mat by his friends, demonstrating the communal effort to bring the sick to Christ for healing. This act of faith and the subsequent healing underscore the spiritual significance of bearing one another's burdens, as encouraged in Galatians 6:2 : "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Symbolic and Theological Implications

The use of litters in the Bible carries symbolic weight, often representing the care and honor given to individuals, as well as the communal responsibility to support and uplift one another. The imagery of carrying and being carried is a powerful metaphor for the Christian life, emphasizing themes of service, compassion, and the bearing of burdens.

In a broader theological sense, the concept of a litter can be seen as a reflection of God's provision and care for His people. Just as a litter provides a means of transport and support, God offers His strength and guidance to those who rely on Him. This is echoed in Isaiah 46:4 , where God promises, "Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; I will bear and deliver you."

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, litters were commonly used by royalty and the wealthy, signifying status and privilege. They were often elaborately decorated and carried by servants or animals. This cultural practice is reflected in the biblical narrative, where the use of a litter denotes honor and distinction.

Overall, the concept of a litter in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol, illustrating themes of care, honor, and the communal and divine support that undergirds the life of faith.(Hebrews tsab, as being lightly and gently borne), a sedan or palanquin for the conveyance of persons of rank (Isaiah 66:20). In Numbers 7:3, the words "covered wagons" are more literally "carts of the litter kind." There they denote large and commodious vehicles drawn by oxen, and fitted for transporting the furniture of the temple. 1. (n.) A bed or stretcher so arranged that a person, esp. a sick or wounded person, may be easily carried in or upon it.

2. (n.) Straw, hay, etc., scattered on a floor, as bedding for animals to rest on; also, a covering of straw for plants.

3. (n.) Things lying scattered about in a manner indicating slovenliness; scattered rubbish.

4. (n.) Disorder or untidiness resulting from scattered rubbish, or from thongs lying about uncared for; as, a room in a state of litter.

5. (n.) The young brought forth at one time, by a sow or other multiparous animal, taken collectively. Also Fig.

6. (v. t.) To supply with litter, as cattle; to cover with litter, as the floor of a stall.

7. (v. t.) To put into a confused or disordered condition; to strew with scattered articles; as, to litter a room.

8. (v. t.) To give birth to; to bear; -- said of brutes, esp. those which produce more than one at a birth, and also of human beings, in abhorrence or contempt.

9. (v. i.) To be supplied with litter as bedding; to sleep or make one's bed in litter.

10. (v. i.) To produce a litter.

LITTER

lit'-er (tsabh): (1) Used upon backs of camels for easy riding, made of a wooden frame with light mattress and pillows, also a covering above, supported by upright pieces, sometimes having also side awnings for protection from the sun's rays. Mule litters were made with pairs of shafts projecting before and behind, between which the animals were yoked (Isaiah 66:20). Litter-wagons ('eghloth tsabh) are mentioned in Numbers 7:3; the horse litter (phorion) is mentioned in 2 Maccabees 9:8; compare 3:27. (2) miTTah, "palanquin" or "litter of Solomon" (Songs 3:7; compare Songs 3:9).

See PALANQUIN.

2826. klinidion -- a small couch
... a small couch. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: klinidion Phonetic
Spelling: (klin-id'-ee-on) Short Definition: a couch or litter Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2826.htm - 6k6632. tsab -- a litter
... 6631, 6632. tsab. 6632a . a litter. Transliteration: tsab Phonetic Spelling:
(tsawb) Short Definition: covered. covered, litter, tortoise ...
/hebrew/6632.htm - 5k

668. appiryon -- a sedan, litter, palanquin
... 667, 668. appiryon. 669 . a sedan, litter, palanquin. Transliteration: appiryon
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-pir-yone') Short Definition: chair. ...
/hebrew/668.htm - 5k

6632a. tsab -- a litter
... a litter. Transliteration: tsab Short Definition: covered. Word Origin from an unused
word Definition a litter NASB Word Usage covered (1), litters (1). ...
/hebrew/6632a.htm - 5k

4296. mittah -- a couch, bed
... bedchamber, bier. From natah; a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by analogy,
a sofa, litter or bier -- bed((-chamber)), bier. see HEBREW natah. ...
/hebrew/4296.htm - 6k

Before Egypt's Throne
... Four solemn Ethiopians bore her litter upon their shoulders, and another
waved a fan of black ostrich plumes over her. The litter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxix before egypts throne.htm

It was the Fifth Anniversary of that Resolution of the Senate ...
... Vergilius left the scene with Augustus. They rode away in the royal litter. ... "Come
with me," said the great man. They left the litter and entered a large shop. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 9 it was the.htm

The Emperor Gratian is Slain by the Treachery of the Usurper ...
... In fact Andragathius, a general under Maximus, having concealed himself in a litter
resembling a couch, which was carried by mules, ordered his guards to ...
/.../chapter xi the emperor gratian is.htm

The Procession of Amen
... Kenkenes seized upon their advance to proceed also, and, dropping between the first
and second litter, made his way with little difficulty to the front. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter iv the procession of.htm

It was a Clear Morning and the Tenth Day Before the Kalends of ...
... He struggled, cursing, but they bore him down, binding him hand and knee to an open
litter, so he stood, like a beast, upon all fours, for such, indeed, was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 22 it was a.htm

The Sick of the Palsy
... The crowds besieged the very passages, there was no room, no, not around the door,
and even if one might struggle forward, four men bearing a litter might well ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 2 1-12 the sick of.htm

How Wynfrid Being Deposed, Sexwulf Received his Bishopric, and ...
... he was bishop as before that time, is said to have been most holy, as is even now
testified by heavenly miracles; for to this day, his horse-litter, in which ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap vi how wynfrid being.htm

Useless Sacrifice
... and are told, to your fresh astonishment and disgust, that that is only
where the servants sweep the litter. But crouching behind ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxvi useless sacrifice.htm

Of the Use of Reason in Religion; and of Dreams, Auguries, Oracles ...
... when he again perceived the same image asking whether he had suffered sufficient
punishment for the neglect of his command, he was carried on a litter to the ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap viii of the use of.htm

At the Well
... She is in the bamboo litter, Miriam is in the other. "We are come from farthest
Egypt, fifty of us in three barges," he began. ... The litter of Miriam passed. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxvii at the well.htm

Litter (1 Occurrence)
... In Numbers 7:3, the words "covered wagons" are more literally "carts of the litter
kind." There they denote large and commodious vehicles drawn by oxen, and ...
/l/litter.htm - 9k

Palanquin (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) An enclosed carriage or litter, commonly about eight
feet long, four feet wide, and four feet high, borne on the shoulders of ...
/p/palanquin.htm - 7k

Littered (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Litter. Multi-Version Concordance
Littered (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 7:15 They went after ...
/l/littered.htm - 6k

Far (2526 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A young pig, or a litter of pigs. 2.
(a.) Distant in any direction; not near; remote; mutually ...
/f/far.htm - 11k

Team (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A group of young animals, especially of young
ducks; a brood; a litter. 2. (n.) Hence, a number of animals moving together. ...
/t/team.htm - 8k

Escorted (6 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Song of Songs 3:7 Behold, it is the litter of Solomon; threescore mighty
men are about it, of the mighty men of Israel. (See NIV). ...
/e/escorted.htm - 8k

Powders (1 Occurrence)
... in Songs 3:6 were probably perfumes, as they are associated with myrrh and frankincense
in the account of the festal procession of the litter of Solomon. ...
/p/powders.htm - 7k

Bed (142 Occurrences)
... 6; 41:3). In the New Testament it denotes sometimes a litter with a coverlet
(Matthew 9:2, 6; Luke 5:18; Acts 5:15). The Jewish ...
/b/bed.htm - 52k

Sweep (34 Occurrences)
... telescope. 8. (vi) To clean rooms, yards, etc., or to clear away dust, dirt,
litter, etc., with a broom, brush, or the like. 9. (vi ...
/s/sweep.htm - 19k

Sweeping (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Cleaning off surfaces, or cleaning away dust, dirt, or litter, as a broom
does; moving with swiftness and force; carrying everything before it ...
/s/sweeping.htm - 7k

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