In biblical times, troughs were essential components of daily life, particularly in agricultural and pastoral settings. These containers, often made of wood or stone, were used primarily for watering animals, such as sheep, goats, and camels. The use of troughs is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting their importance in the ancient Near Eastern lifestyle.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 24:20 · In the account of Rebekah meeting Abraham's servant, the Bible describes how Rebekah "quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran back to the well to draw water, and she drew water for all his camels." This passage illustrates the use of troughs in providing water for animals, a task that required significant effort and hospitality, especially in a desert environment.

2. Exodus 2:16 · The daughters of the priest of Midian are described as coming to draw water and filling the troughs to water their father's flock. This scene sets the stage for Moses' encounter with the family, emphasizing the daily routine of watering livestock and the social interactions that could occur around these communal resources.

3. Genesis 30:38 · Jacob uses troughs in a unique way to influence the breeding of Laban's flocks. "Then he set up the peeled branches in the troughs in front of the flocks—where they came to drink. And the flocks bred in front of the branches." This passage highlights the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Jacob, as well as the significance of troughs in the management and care of livestock.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Troughs were vital in the agrarian societies of the biblical world, where livestock played a crucial role in the economy and daily sustenance. The construction and maintenance of troughs would have been a routine part of life for shepherds and herdsmen. These structures were often placed near wells or springs to facilitate the watering process, which was a labor-intensive task, especially in arid regions.

The presence of troughs in biblical narratives often serves as a backdrop for significant events and interactions. They are places where hospitality is extended, as seen in the account of Rebekah, and where divine providence and human ingenuity intersect, as in the account of Jacob.

Symbolic and Theological Implications:

While troughs are primarily utilitarian objects, their mention in Scripture can carry deeper symbolic meanings. They are associated with provision and sustenance, reflecting God's care for His creation. The act of drawing water and filling troughs can also symbolize service and hospitality, virtues highly esteemed in biblical teaching.

In the broader theological context, the imagery of water and the provision of life-giving resources often point to spiritual truths. Just as troughs provide necessary sustenance for animals, so too does God provide for the spiritual needs of His people, offering living water through faith in Him.

Overall, troughs, though simple in function, are woven into the fabric of biblical narratives, illustrating the everyday life of ancient peoples and the enduring principles of provision, hospitality, and divine care.8268. shoqeth -- watering trough
... Word Origin from shaqah Definition watering trough NASB Word Usage trough (1), troughs
(1). trough. From shaqah; a trough (for watering) -- trough. ...
/hebrew/8268.htm - 6k

7298a. rahat -- a trough
... a trough. Transliteration: rahat Short Definition: gutters. Word Origin from an
unused word Definition a trough NASB Word Usage gutters (2), troughs (1). ...
/hebrew/7298a.htm - 5k

Three Decisive Steps
... There are some who would go home to their Father; but they would like to take
the swine, and the swine-troughs, and the husks with them. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/three decisive steps.htm

There are Various Figures in the Old Testament of the Wood of the ...
... Jacob, by putting rods into the water-troughs, caused the sheep of his
uncle to conceive, so that he should obtain their young. ...
/.../chapter lxxxvi there are various figures.htm

The Cost of Being Cruel and Stubborn
... your house, into your sleeping chamber, upon your bed, into the houses of your servants,
upon your people, and into your ovens and kneading-troughs; and the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the cost of being cruel.htm

The Escape from Egypt
... hasten out of the land, for they said, "We shall all perish." So the people took
their dough before the yeast had worked, and their kneading-troughs were bound ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the escape from egypt.htm

The Boyhood and Training of Moses
... As he was sitting by a well, the seven daughters of the priest of Midian came and
drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock, but the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the boyhood and training of.htm

Compendious Statement of the Doctrines of the Perat??.
... that is,) in such a manner as Moses says that the colours of the conceived (kine)
flowed from the rods [503] which were fixed in the drinking-troughs. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xii compendious statement of the.htm

How Moses Fled Out of Egypt into Midian.
... in the country of the Troglodytes, they came first of all, and drew water out of
the well in a quantity sufficient for their flocks, into troughs, which were ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how moses fled.htm

Ill-Temper
... Here have I been all these years unhonoured and ignored, and this young roue from
the swine-troughs assembles the whole country-side to do him homage." "And he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/ill-temper.htm

Its Basis
... kiss him in those rags"it was blessedly characteristic of His grace so to do; but
to seat him at His table in garments suited to the swine-troughs would not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/4 its basis.htm

On the Way to Thebes
... In complex ramifications throughout the city sandy troughs were still distinguishable,
where canals had been, and in places of peculiarly complete destruction ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxi on the way.htm

Troughs (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Troughs (5 Occurrences). ... They came and drew water,
and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. ...
/t/troughs.htm - 8k

Kneading-troughs (2 Occurrences)
Kneading-troughs. Kneadingtroughs, Kneading-troughs. Knee .
Multi-Version Concordance Kneading-troughs (2 Occurrences). ...
/k/kneading-troughs.htm - 7k

Watering-troughs (2 Occurrences)
Watering-troughs. Watering-places, Watering-troughs. Water-jug .
Multi-Version Concordance Watering-troughs (2 Occurrences). ...
/w/watering-troughs.htm - 7k

Kneading (7 Occurrences)
... into your bedchamber, and on your bed, and into the house of your servants, and
on your people, and into your ovens, and into your kneading troughs: (WEB KJV ...
/k/kneading.htm - 8k

Watering-places (2 Occurrences)
Watering-places. Watering, Watering-places. Watering-troughs . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (BBE). Watering, Watering-places. Watering-troughs . Reference ...
/w/watering-places.htm - 7k

Dough (15 Occurrences)
... The dough the Israelites had prepared for baking was carried away by them
out of Egypt in their kneading-troughs (Exodus 12:34, 39). ...
/d/dough.htm - 12k

Bowls (47 Occurrences)
... into your bedchamber, and on your bed, and into the house of your servants, and
on your people, and into your ovens, and into your kneading troughs: (See NAS ...
/b/bowls.htm - 21k

Trough (7 Occurrences)

/t/trough.htm - 8k

Trousers (7 Occurrences)

/t/trousers.htm - 8k

Knee (12 Occurrences)

/k/knee.htm - 12k

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