In biblical times, the term "loft" refers to an upper room or elevated space within a building, often used for various purposes such as living quarters, storage, or gatherings. The concept of a loft is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting its significance in the daily life and spiritual practices of ancient cultures.

Old Testament References

The loft is notably mentioned in the account of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. In 1 Kings 17:19, Elijah takes the widow's deceased son to an upper room, or loft, where he prays for the boy's life to be restored: "But Elijah said to her, 'Give me your son.' So he took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed" . This passage illustrates the loft as a private and sacred space, suitable for prayer and divine intervention.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the loft is again depicted as a place of gathering and spiritual activity. Acts 20:8-9 describes a meeting in Troas where the Apostle Paul is preaching: "Now there were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. And a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, was overcome by deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. Overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third account and was picked up dead" . This account underscores the loft as a setting for early Christian fellowship and teaching, despite the tragic accident that occurred.

Cultural and Architectural Context

In ancient Israelite and Greco-Roman architecture, lofts or upper rooms were common features in homes and public buildings. These spaces were often accessed by external staircases and provided a degree of privacy and seclusion from the bustling activities of the lower floors. Lofts were typically well-ventilated and illuminated, making them ideal for gatherings, prayer, and meditation.

Symbolic Significance

The loft, as an elevated space, carries symbolic meaning in biblical literature. It represents a place set apart for divine encounters, reflection, and revelation. The use of lofts for prayer and teaching in both the Old and New Testaments highlights their role as sanctuaries within the domestic sphere, where individuals could seek God's presence and engage in communal worship.

Conclusion

The concept of the loft in biblical times serves as a reminder of the importance of setting aside dedicated spaces for spiritual activities. Whether used for personal prayer, miraculous events, or communal gatherings, the loft remains a significant element in the biblical narrative, reflecting the intersection of daily life and divine interaction.1. (n.) That which is lifted up; an elevation.

2. (n.) The room or space under a roof and above the ceiling of the uppermost story.

3. (n.) A gallery or raised apartment in a church, hall, etc.; as, an organ loft.

4. (n.) A floor or room placed above another; a story.

5. (a.) Lofty; proud.

LOFT

In 1 Kings 17:23, changed in the Revised Version (British and American) to "chamber."

5152. tristegon -- the third story
... third story. Neuter of a compound of treis and stege as noun; a third roof (story) --
third loft. see GREEK treis. see GREEK stege. (tristegou) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5152.htm - 6k5944. aliyyah -- a roof chamber
... upper rooms (4). ascent, upper chamber, going up, loft, parlor. Feminine
from alah; something lofty, ie A stair-way; also a second ...
/hebrew/5944.htm - 6k

Preaching in a Loft
... Chapter 10. Retirement in Paddington; Wesley Slandered; Premonitions; A
Dream Preaching in a Loft. Monday, May 10."I went forward ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/preaching in a loft.htm

When Diamond Got Round the Corner of the Hay...
... The stair by which he would naturally have gone down to the door was at the other
side of the loft, and looked very black indeed; for it was full of North ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 2 when diamond got.htm

Acts xx. 1
... young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long
preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xliii acts xx 1.htm

The Dutch Calvinist Colony on the Hudson and the Swedish Lutheran ...
... duties of a pastor. On Sundays, in the loft over the horse-mill, they would
read from the Scriptures and the creeds. And two years ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter vii the dutch calvinist.htm

I have Been Asked to Tell You About the Back of the North Wind. .. ...
... Indeed, I am not sure whether I ought to call it a room at all; for it was just
a loft where they kept hay and straw and oats for the horses. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 1 i have been.htm

Elijah and the Widow's Son.
... Then the prophet took the boy and carried him up into the loft where he slept, and
stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried to the Lord,". ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/elijah and the widows son.htm

From the Introduction of Methodism into the City of New York, in ...
... To accommodate all who wished to hear, they next hired a rigging loft in William
Street, and fitted it up for a place of public worship. ...
/.../chapter 2 from the introduction.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... When Eutychus fell down from an high loft and was taken up dead, Paul fell on him',
that is, he effectually prayed over him and he prayed him alive (Acts 20:9 ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm

On Sleeping in Church
... man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep; and while Paul was long preaching,
he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was ...
/.../swift/three sermons three prayers/on sleeping in church.htm

Fordington Pulpit:
... high-sung hopes of Heaven, And the glories of its King; Now my footfall sounds alone
On the aisle's long path of stone, Save that yonder from the loft, With a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moule/to my younger brethren/fordington pulpit .htm

Loft (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A gallery or raised apartment in a church, hall, etc.; as, an organ loft.
4. (n.) A floor or room placed above another; a story. ...LOFT. ...
/l/loft.htm - 7k

Lodgings (1 Occurrence)

/l/lodgings.htm - 6k

Loftier (1 Occurrence)

/l/loftier.htm - 6k

Flat (33 Occurrences)
... 21. (n.) A floor, loft, or story in a building; especially, a floor of
a house, which forms a complete residence in itself. 22. ...
/f/flat.htm - 21k

Traverse (5 Occurrences)
... curtain, or the like. 6. (n.) A gallery or loft of communication from side
to side of a church or other large building. 7. (n.) A work ...
/t/traverse.htm - 10k

Aloft (3 Occurrences)
... and Colloq.), in or to heaven. 3. (prep.) Above; on top of. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. ALOFT. a-loft' (epano): Only in 1 Esdras 8:92. Meaning obscure. ...
/a/aloft.htm - 8k

Sunk (20 Occurrences)
... young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long
preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was ...
/s/sunk.htm - 12k

Fallen (233 Occurrences)
... young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long
preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was ...
/f/fallen.htm - 38k

Abode (112 Occurrences)
... And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he
abode, and laid him upon his own bed. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/a/abode.htm - 36k

Preaching (116 Occurrences)
... young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long
preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was ...
/p/preaching.htm - 50k

Loft: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus