In biblical literature, the term "pavilions" refers to temporary structures or tents, often used to denote a place of shelter or dwelling. The concept of pavilions is woven throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing both physical and spiritual themes.

Old Testament References

The Hebrew word often translated as "pavilion" is "sukkah," which can mean a booth, tabernacle, or tent. This term is notably used in the context of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), a festival where the Israelites were commanded to dwell in booths to commemorate their journey through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. Leviticus 23:42-43 states, "You are to live in booths for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must live in booths, so that your descendants may know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God."

Pavilions are also mentioned in the context of God's protection and presence. In Psalm 27:5 , David expresses his trust in God's sheltering care: "For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock." Here, the pavilion symbolizes divine protection and refuge.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

The imagery of pavilions extends beyond physical structures to represent God's presence and the believer's relationship with Him. In Psalm 31:20 , the psalmist writes, "You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues." This verse highlights the pavilion as a metaphor for the safety and security found in God's presence.

The pavilion also serves as a symbol of God's majesty and authority. In Jeremiah 43:10 , the prophet declares, "Then say to them, ‘This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and I will set his throne over these stones that I have hidden, and he will spread his royal pavilion over them.'" Here, the pavilion signifies the extension of royal power and dominion.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly use the term "pavilion," the concept of temporary dwelling and divine shelter continues. The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:1 , speaks of the earthly body as a tent, contrasting it with the eternal dwelling in heaven: "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, pavilions serve as a rich symbol of God's protection, presence, and authority. They remind believers of the transient nature of earthly life and the eternal security found in God.

David's Song of victory
... wings of the wind. And he made darkness pavilions round about him, Gathering
of waters, thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/vi davids song of victory.htm

His Journey to South Russia.
... comfort. They took us a drive after dinner to see several of the Emperor's
pavilions, mostly surrounded by beautiful pieces of water. ...
/.../chapter xix his journey to.htm

Unbelieving Belief
... nowadays, may do very well for fine weather and for superficial experience, but
when the storm comes it proves a poor refuge, like the gay pavilions that they ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/unbelieving belief.htm

The History of David
... And Uriah said to David: The ark of God and Israel and Judah be in the pavilions,
and my lord Joab and the servants of thee, my lord, lie on the ground, and ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of david.htm

Mahometans.
... as their prophet often affirms in his Koran, free from all natural impurities, of
the strictest modesty, and secluded from public view in pavilions of hollow ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/mahometans.htm

The Springs of Social Life.
... many rich dwellings there are, crowded with every appointment of luxury, that are
only glittering ice-caverns of selfishness and discontent; pavilions of misery ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse v the springs of.htm

The History of Saul
... this giant thus slain, fled, and the Israelites after followed, and slew many of
them, and returned again and came into the tents, pavilions and lodgings of ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... The area of the raised platform was not of uniform level, and was laid out in gardens,
in the midst of which rose the pavilions that served as dwelling-places. ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... They went fowling among the reed-beds, or retired within their painted pavilions
to read tales, to play at draughts, to return to their wives who were for ever ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

Pavilions (3 Occurrences)
...Pavilions (3 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 22:12 He made darkness pavilions around himself:
gathering of waters, and thick clouds of the skies. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/p/pavilions.htm - 7k

Temporary (13 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 20:12 It happened, when Ben Hadad heard this message, as he was drinking,
he and the kings, in the pavilions, that he said to his servants, "Prepare to ...
/t/temporary.htm - 10k

Ben-hadad (27 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 20:12 And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was
drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants ...
/b/ben-hadad.htm - 16k

Booths (24 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 20:12 And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was
drinking, he and the kings, in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants ...
/b/booths.htm - 14k

Shelters (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 20:12 It happened, when Ben Hadad heard this message, as he was drinking,
he and the kings, in the pavilions, that he said to his servants, "Prepare to ...
/s/shelters.htm - 9k

Ben (40 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 20:12 It happened, when Ben Hadad heard this message, as he was drinking,
he and the kings, in the pavilions, that he said to his servants, "Prepare to ...
/b/ben.htm - 20k

Hadad (38 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 20:12 It happened, when Ben Hadad heard this message, as he was drinking,
he and the kings, in the pavilions, that he said to his servants, "Prepare to ...
/h/hadad.htm - 21k

Paw (4 Occurrences)

/p/paw.htm - 8k

Pavilion (11 Occurrences)

/p/pavilion.htm - 12k

Drinking (114 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 20:12 It happened, when Ben Hadad heard this message, as he was drinking,
he and the kings, in the pavilions, that he said to his servants, "Prepare to ...
/d/drinking.htm - 38k

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