In the biblical context, shelters are often depicted as physical structures providing protection and refuge, as well as metaphorical symbols of God's protection and care for His people. The concept of shelter is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both the practical and spiritual aspects of God's provision.

Old Testament References

1. Tabernacle and Tent of Meeting: The Israelites' journey through the wilderness was marked by the construction of the Tabernacle, a portable earthly dwelling place for God. This served as a central place of worship and a symbol of God's presence among His people. Exodus 25:8-9 states, "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. You must make it according to all that I show you—the pattern of the tabernacle as well as the pattern of all its furnishings."

2. Booths and Temporary Shelters: The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, involved the construction of temporary shelters or booths. This festival commemorated the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and God's provision during that time. Leviticus 23:42-43 instructs, "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."

3. Cities of Refuge: In ancient Israel, cities of refuge were designated as safe havens for those who had accidentally committed manslaughter. These cities provided shelter from the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted. Numbers 35:11-12 explains, "Select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, so that a manslayer who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. These cities will be a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly."

New Testament References

1. Jesus as the Ultimate Shelter: In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate refuge and shelter for believers. He offers spiritual protection and eternal security. In Matthew 11:28 , Jesus invites, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

2. The Church as a Spiritual Shelter: The early Christian community is depicted as a place of refuge and support for believers. Acts 2:44-45 describes the communal life of the early church: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need."

Metaphorical Uses

1. God as a Refuge: Throughout the Psalms, God is frequently described as a refuge and fortress for His people. Psalm 46:1 declares, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble."

2. Spiritual Shelter in Christ: Believers are encouraged to find their security and identity in Christ, who is described as a spiritual shelter. Colossians 3:3 states, "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."

Practical Implications

The biblical concept of shelter extends beyond physical structures to encompass spiritual truths about God's protection and provision. Believers are called to trust in God's care and to seek refuge in Him during times of trouble. Additionally, the church is encouraged to be a place of support and refuge for those in need, reflecting the love and care of Christ.5521. sukkah -- a thicket, booth
... thicket, booth NASB Word Usage booth (1), Booths (9), booths (8), canopies (1),
canopy (1), hut (1), lair (1), pavilion (1), shelter (4), temporary shelters (3 ...
/hebrew/5521.htm - 6k

When travelling lately through the Simplon
... I was told, on inquiry, they were intended as shelters for any hapless travellers
who might be overtaken by the sudden storms which so often sweep down from ...
/.../the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/i when travelling lately through.htm

Theater-Going.
... institution, to be judged as a totality. It is responsible for what it tolerates
and shelters. We, therefore, hold it responsible for ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/v theater-going.htm

The visitation
... Some of these shelters are looked after by a family living near at hand who
are ready to supply any needs in return for a small payment. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ix the visitation.htm

Introduction
... unhurrying chase, And unperturbed pace, Deliberate speed, majestic instancy Came
the following Feet, And a Voice above their beat" Naught shelters thee, who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/introduction 3.htm

What Pleaseth God!
... The truest heart is God's own heart, Who bids our misery depart; Who screens and
shelters, day and night, The man who makes his chief delight What pleaseth God ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/what pleaseth god.htm

Bethesda and the Sanhedrin
... Shelters had been erected about the place, that the sick might be protected
from the heat by day and the chilliness of the night. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 21 bethesda and the.htm

Of Having Confidence in God when Evil Words are Cast at Us
... For because thou fearest to be despised, thou art unwilling to be reproved
for thy faults, and seekest paltry shelters of excuses. ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xlvi of having confidence.htm

Letter cxxiii. To Ageruchia.
... For the lust of many shelters itself under such excuses as though the
promptings of incontinence were only a desire for offspring. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxiii to ageruchia.htm

Spiritual Culture.
... burned; how that he will withhold no good thing from us, but will cause all things
to work for our good; how that he bears our burdens and shelters us beneath ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xi spiritual culture.htm

Of the Binding and Loosing of the Devil.
... For the Almighty does not absolutely seclude the saints from his temptation, but
shelters only their inner man, where faith resides, that by outward temptation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 8 of the binding and.htm

Shelters (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shelters (9 Occurrences). ... Genesis 33:17 Jacob traveled
to Succoth, built himself a house, and made shelters for his livestock. ...
/s/shelters.htm - 9k

Shelumiel (5 Occurrences)

/s/shelumiel.htm - 8k

Gourd (4 Occurrences)
... This is a creeping, vinelike plant which may frequently be seen trained over the
rough temporary sun-shelters erected in fields or by the roadside in Palestine ...
/g/gourd.htm - 12k

Gederothaim (1 Occurrence)
... Septuagint reads, "and its cattle shelters." Probably, however, the name has
arisen by dittography from the preceding GEDERAH (which see). ...
/g/gederothaim.htm - 7k

Traveled (104 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Genesis 33:17 Jacob traveled to Succoth, built himself a house, and made
shelters for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth. ...
/t/traveled.htm - 32k

Refuge (111 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which shelters or protects from danger, or from distress or calamity;
a stronghold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures ...
/r/refuge.htm - 41k

Behalf (140 Occurrences)
... Corinthians 7:4; 2 Corinthians 8:24; 2 Corinthians 9:2; 2 Corinthians 12:5). Huper
does not of itself indicate substitution, although one who shelters ("is over ...
/b/behalf.htm - 37k

Cyrene (7 Occurrences)
... A high range of mountains lies to the South, about 90 miles inland. This shelters
the coast land from the scorching heat of the Sahara. ...
/c/cyrene.htm - 13k

Architecture
... great and walled up to heaven" (Deuteronomy 1:28 the King James Version) which they
took and occupied were well fortified, unlovely shelters, covering areas of ...
/a/architecture.htm - 28k

Shade (67 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) That which intercepts, or shelters from, light or the direct rays of the
sun; hence, also, that which protects from heat or currents of air; a screen ...
/s/shade.htm - 31k

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What is the Feast of Tabernacles / Booths / Sukkot? | GotQuestions.org

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