In biblical times, trays were commonly used household items, often crafted from materials such as wood, clay, or metal. They served practical purposes in daily life, particularly in the preparation and serving of food. While the Bible does not frequently mention trays explicitly, their presence is implied in various passages that describe meals and offerings.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, trays would have been used in the context of meal preparation and religious rituals. For example, during the construction of the Tabernacle, various utensils were crafted for use in the service of the Lord, including those for handling offerings (Exodus 25:29). Although the term "tray" is not specifically used, the concept of serving and presenting food and offerings is evident.

In the account of Abraham and the three visitors, Sarah prepares a meal that likely involved the use of trays for serving (Genesis 18:6-8). The preparation of unleavened bread and the serving of a calf, curds, and milk suggest the use of serving implements to present the meal to the guests.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, trays would have been part of the cultural setting of meals and gatherings. The Last Supper, as described in the Gospels, involved the breaking of bread and sharing of wine, which would have been facilitated by the use of trays or similar serving items (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20).

The feeding of the five thousand, as recorded in the Gospels, also implies the use of trays or baskets for distributing the loaves and fish to the multitude (Matthew 14:19-20; Mark 6:41-42; Luke 9:16-17; John 6:11-13). The organization and distribution of food to such a large crowd would have necessitated the use of serving implements.

Symbolic and Cultural Significance

Trays, as part of the broader category of serving utensils, hold symbolic significance in the context of hospitality and service. In biblical culture, hospitality was a highly valued virtue, and the act of serving food was an expression of care and community. The use of trays in this context underscores the importance of fellowship and the sharing of resources.

In the spiritual sense, the act of serving, whether through the use of trays or other means, reflects the Christian call to serve others. Jesus' example of servanthood, as demonstrated in the washing of the disciples' feet (John 13:4-5), highlights the humility and love that should characterize Christian service.

Conclusion

While trays are not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, their implied presence in the context of meals and offerings provides insight into the daily life and cultural practices of biblical times. They serve as a reminder of the importance of hospitality, service, and community in the biblical narrative.1. (n. pl.) Traces.

2. (n.) Plural of Tray.

3. (n. pl.) See Trais.

4289. machtah -- a fireholder, censer, snuff dish
... Word Origin from chathah Definition a fireholder, censer, snuff dish NASB Word Usage
censer (3), censers (4), firepan (3), firepans (9), trays (3). ...
/hebrew/4289.htm - 6k

Man's Difficulty Concerning Prayer.
... What perfection in a dwelling would it be that its furniture and the paths between
were fitted as the trays and pigeon-holes of a cabinet? ...
/.../macdonald/unspoken sermons/mans difficulty concerning prayer.htm

Our Stronghold
... When I preached last Thursday night about the snuffers of the temple and the golden
snuffer trays, and the necessity there was for the lamps in the sanctuary ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/our stronghold.htm

The Church of Christ
... You know there were snuffers and snuffer-trays provided in the temple for all the
candles, but no extinguishers; and if there should be a poor candle here this ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the church of christ.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... Jars, saucers, double vases, flat plates, large cups, supports for amphorae, trays
raised on a foot"in short, every kind of form is found in use at that ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

Trays (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Trays (3 Occurrences). Exodus 25:38 And the instruments
and trays for use with it are all to be of the best gold. ...
/t/trays.htm - 7k

Fire-trays (6 Occurrences)
Fire-trays. Fire-spoon, Fire-trays. Firewood . Multi-Version
Concordance Fire-trays (6 Occurrences). Exodus 27:3 And ...
/f/fire-trays.htm - 8k

Snuff-trays (3 Occurrences)
Snuff-trays. Snuffs, Snuff-trays. So . Multi-Version Concordance
Snuff-trays (3 Occurrences). Exodus 25:38 and the snuffers ...
/s/snuff-trays.htm - 7k

Meat-hooks (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 And make all its vessels, the baskets for taking away the dust of the
fire, the spades and basins and meat-hooks and fire-trays, of brass. (BBE). ...
/m/meat-hooks.htm - 8k

Baskets (20 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 And make all its vessels, the baskets for taking away the dust of the
fire, the spades and basins and meat-hooks and fire-trays, of brass. (BBE). ...
/b/baskets.htm - 12k

Scissors (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:50 And the cups and the scissors and the basins and the spoons and the
fire-trays, all of gold; and the pins on which the doors were turned, the ...
/s/scissors.htm - 8k

Spades (9 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 And make all its vessels, the baskets for taking away the dust of the
fire, the spades and basins and meat-hooks and fire-trays, of brass. (BBE). ...
/s/spades.htm - 9k

Instruments (136 Occurrences)
... ye make it. (KJV WBS). Exodus 25:38 And the instruments and trays for use
with it are all to be of the best gold. (BBE). Exodus 27 ...
/i/instruments.htm - 41k

So (23977 Occurrences)

/s/so.htm - 9k

Lights (71 Occurrences)
... Numbers 4:9 And they are to take a blue cloth, covering with it the light-support
with its lights and its instruments and its trays and all the oil vessels ...
/l/lights.htm - 27k

What is the menorah? | GotQuestions.org

Trays: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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