A palanquin is a covered litter, often used in ancient times for the transportation of individuals, typically of high status or royalty. This mode of transport is mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Song of Solomon, where it is associated with King Solomon.

Biblical Reference:

The primary biblical reference to a palanquin is found in the Song of Solomon 3:9-10 : "King Solomon made for himself a carriage; he made it of wood from Lebanon. He made its posts of silver, its base of gold, its seat of purple fabric, its interior lovingly inlaid by the daughters of Jerusalem."

In this passage, the palanquin is described as a luxurious and ornate vehicle, crafted with precious materials such as wood from Lebanon, silver, gold, and purple fabric. The involvement of the "daughters of Jerusalem" in its decoration suggests a communal effort in its creation, highlighting its significance and the honor associated with it.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, palanquins were a symbol of prestige and were often used by royalty and nobility. They were typically carried by servants or attendants and provided a comfortable and secure means of travel. The use of a palanquin signified the importance and elevated status of the individual being transported.

The materials mentioned in the Song of Solomon—wood from Lebanon, silver, gold, and purple fabric—are indicative of wealth and splendor. Lebanon was renowned for its high-quality cedar wood, which was highly prized in ancient construction and craftsmanship. Silver and gold were symbols of wealth and divine favor, while purple fabric was associated with royalty and nobility due to the costly dye used to produce it.

Symbolic Interpretation:

From a symbolic perspective, the palanquin in the Song of Solomon can be seen as a representation of love and marriage. The Song of Solomon is a poetic book that celebrates the beauty and intimacy of marital love, and the palanquin serves as a metaphor for the union between the bride and groom. The luxurious and carefully crafted nature of the palanquin reflects the value and care inherent in a loving relationship.

Additionally, the palanquin can be viewed as a symbol of divine protection and provision. Just as the palanquin provides a safe and comfortable space for the traveler, so does God's love and care provide security and comfort for His people.

Theological Significance:

In the broader theological context, the palanquin can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate union between Christ and His Church. The imagery of the bride and groom in the Song of Solomon is often interpreted as an allegory for the relationship between Christ and His followers. The palanquin, therefore, becomes a symbol of the journey towards this divine union, carried out with love, honor, and reverence.

The mention of the palanquin in the Bible serves as a reminder of the importance of love, honor, and the sacredness of marriage, as well as the divine care and provision that God extends to His people.(n.) An enclosed carriage or litter, commonly about eight feet long, four feet wide, and four feet high, borne on the shoulders of men by means of two projecting poles, -- used in India, China, etc., for the conveyance of a single person from place to place.PALANQUIN

pal-an-ken': In Songs 3:9 occurs 'appiryon, a word that has no Semitic cognates and is of dubious meaning. In form, however, it resembles the Sanskrit paryanka, and still more closely the Greek phoreion, both of which mean "litter bed." Hence, the Revised Version (British and American) "palanquin" (ultimately derived from paryanka). The margin "car of state" and the King James Version "chariot" are mere guesses.

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

6632. tsab -- a litter
... From an unused root meaning to establish; a palanquin or canopy (as a fixture);
also a species of lizard (probably as clinging fast) -- covered, litter ...
/hebrew/6632.htm - 5k

The Royal Pair in their Glorious Chariot
... King Solomon, in this Song, describes the Church of Christ, and Christ himself,
as travailing through the world in such a palanquin. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the royal pair in their.htm

Voyage to Benares.
... Provinces. One was being carried in a palanquin on men's shoulders,
arrangements being made to have fresh bearers every few miles. ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter ii voyage to benares.htm

Letter x. (AD 389. )
... sent from us to you? Our friend Lucinianus informs me that you can be
carried without injury in a palanquin. But I consider, on ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter x a d 389.htm

How a Schoolmaster Became a God.
... deep water to cool himself. The idol also was taken out of the flames, and
finished its journey in a palanquin. Daniel says, "I saw ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter nine how a schoolmaster.htm

Song of Songs
... 3). So throughout the "king's week" everything is transfigured and takes on the
colours of royal magnificence: the threshing-board becomes a palanquin, and the ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/song of songs.htm

The Fire of Love --Book I
... The AV translates it chariot' and RV palanquin.' Ferrculum was generally used of
a bier or litter on which to carry the spoils of war, or images of the gods ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/the fire of lovebook i.htm

One Lion Two Lions no Lion at All
... With sins and doubts, and fears.". Do you expect to be carried into heaven
on a golden palanquin? You will be mightily mistaken. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/one lion two lions no.htm

Chapter xxxi
... Some describe it as a palanquin. Apparently it was so constructed that even when
it was removed from the camel it offered a convenient seat for travellers. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 2. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

Carey's Immediate Influence in Great Britain and America
... valuable lives of our sisters. A single horse chaise, and an open palanquin,
called a Tonjon, were procured. I never ride out for ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xiii careys immediate influence.htm

Palanquin (1 Occurrence)
...PALANQUIN. pal-an-ken': In Songs 3:9 occurs 'appiryon, a word that has no Semitic
cognates and is of dubious meaning. ...Palanquin (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/palanquin.htm - 7k

Litter (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews tsab, as being lightly and gently borne), a sedan
or palanquin for the conveyance of persons of rank (Isaiah 66:20). ...
/l/litter.htm - 9k

Palate (15 Occurrences)

/p/palate.htm - 10k

Furniture (24 Occurrences)
... The latter is decidedly preferable. It was the "camel-basket," or the basket-saddle
of the camel, which was a sort of palanquin bound upon the saddle. ...
/f/furniture.htm - 16k

Palal (1 Occurrence)

/p/palal.htm - 7k

Purple (54 Occurrences)
... was used in the furnishings of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:4, etc.) and of Solomon's
temple (2 Chronicles 2:14; 2 Chronicles 3:14); in the palanquin of Solomon ...
/p/purple.htm - 28k

Bearer (23 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Specifically: One who assists in carrying a body to the grave; a
pallbearer. 3. (n.) A palanquin carrier; also, a house servant. ...
/b/bearer.htm - 14k

Bedstead (1 Occurrence)
... also our couch is green." Compare the "palanquin" of Solomon, "of the wood of Lebanon,"
"the pillars thereof of silver," "the bottom of gold," and "the seat of ...
/b/bedstead.htm - 18k

Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)
... also our couch is green." Compare the "palanquin" of Solomon, "of the wood of Lebanon,"
"the pillars thereof of silver," "the bottom of gold," and "the seat of ...
/b/bedchamber.htm - 20k

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