In biblical times, wagons were essential vehicles used for transportation and carrying heavy loads. They are mentioned in several passages throughout the Old Testament, serving various purposes from agricultural to ceremonial.

Old Testament References

1. Joseph's Wagons: One of the most notable mentions of wagons in the Bible is in the account of Joseph. After Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers in Egypt, Pharaoh instructed them to take wagons from Egypt to transport their father Jacob and their families back to Egypt. Genesis 45:19 states, "You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some wagons from Egypt for your young children and your wives, and bring your father and come back.’" The wagons symbolized the wealth and resources of Egypt and were a means to facilitate the relocation of Jacob's family.

2. Tabernacle Transport: In the wilderness, wagons were used to transport the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Numbers 7:3 describes the offering of the leaders of Israel: "They brought as their offering before the LORD six covered carts and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two leaders—and they presented them before the tabernacle." These wagons were crucial for the mobility of the Israelites as they journeyed through the desert.

3. Philistine Return of the Ark: The Philistines, after capturing the Ark of the Covenant, experienced plagues and decided to return it to Israel. They placed the Ark on a new cart, which was a type of wagon, and sent it back with offerings. 1 Samuel 6:7 records, "Now then, get a new cart ready, with two milk cows that have never been yoked, and hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up."

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

Wagons in the biblical context were not merely utilitarian but also carried symbolic weight. They represented provision, as seen in the account of Joseph, where the wagons were a sign of Pharaoh's favor and the abundance of Egypt. In the context of the Tabernacle, wagons were instruments of divine service, facilitating the movement of sacred objects. The return of the Ark on a cart by the Philistines underscores the recognition of God's power and the desire to appease Him.

Construction and Use

Wagons in ancient times were typically simple, wooden structures with wheels, drawn by animals such as oxen or horses. They were designed to carry heavy loads over long distances, making them indispensable for nomadic tribes and agrarian societies. The construction of wagons would have varied based on the available materials and the specific needs of the users.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, wagons can be seen as instruments of God's providence and guidance. They facilitated the movement of His people and His sacred objects, underscoring the theme of divine provision and care. The use of wagons in transporting the Tabernacle highlights the importance of community and cooperation among the tribes of Israel, as they shared the responsibility of carrying the holy items.

In summary, wagons in the Bible serve as practical tools for transportation and as symbols of God's provision and the communal efforts of His people. They reflect the cultural and historical context of the biblical narrative, providing insight into the daily lives and spiritual journeys of the ancient Israelites.Wagon

The Oriental wagon, or arabah , is a vehicle composed of two or three planks fixed on two solid circular blocks of wood from two to five feet in diameter, which serve as wheels. For the conveyance of passengers, mattresses or clothes are laid in the bottom and the vehicle is drawn by buffaloes or oxen. [CART and CHARIOT]

Hebrews aghalah; so rendered in Genesis 45:19, 21, 27; 46:5; Numbers 7:3, 7,8, but elsewhere rendered "cart" (1 Samuel 6:7, etc.). This vehicle was used for peaceful purposes. In Ezek. 23:24, however, it is the rendering of a different Hebrew word, and denotes a war-chariot. 1. (n.) A wheeled carriage; a vehicle on four wheels, and usually drawn by horses; especially, one used for carrying freight or merchandise.

2. (n.) A freight car on a railway.

3. (n.) A chariot

4. (n.) The Dipper, or Charles's Wain.

5. (v. t.) To transport in a wagon or wagons; as, goods are wagoned from city to city.

6. (v. i.) To wagon goods as a business; as, the man wagons between Philadelphia and its suburbs.

WAGON, WAGGON

wag'-un.

See CART.

4480. rhede -- a chariot
... chariot. Of Latin origin; a rheda, ie Four-wheeled carriage (wagon for riding) --
chariot. (redon) -- 1 Occurrence. 4479, 4480. rhede. 4481 . Strong's Numbers
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4480.htm - 6k5699. agalah -- a cart
... Word Origin from the same as egel Definition a cart NASB Word Usage cart (14),
carts (4), cartwheel (1), chariots (1), wagon (1), wagons (4). ...
/hebrew/5699.htm - 6k

7393. rekeb -- chariotry, chariot, millstone
... 3). chariot, upper millstone, multitude, wagon. From rakab; a vehicle;
by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy ...
/hebrew/7393.htm - 6k

How a Light from Heaven Stood all Night Over his Relics, and How ...
... When the wagon in which those bones were carried arrived towards evening at the
aforesaid monastery, they that were in it were unwilling to admit them, because ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xi how a light.htm

Remarkable Accident to Wesley
... About ten o'clock we were met by a loaded wagon, in a deep, hollow way. ... When the
wagon came near, my horse began to rear and to attempt climbing up the bank. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/remarkable accident to wesley.htm

Leaves College. Goes to Alexandria, Ky. An Adventure in Ohio. A ...
... poles and oars. It was just wide enough for a wagon, and had railings on
the sides. A two-horse wagon went in before me. When we ...
/.../chapter ix leaves college goes.htm

Begins Preaching at Beech Grove. Debates with Elder Hiner. Amusing ...
... Mr. Hiner brought all of his books, and, coming through Bedford, he got all of Mr.
Young's, the preacher at that place. They made a perfect wagon load. ...
/.../chapter xv begins preaching at.htm

Prevailing Prayer of a Child
... He was packing goods in a wagon and felt impressed with an irresistible
impulse to return home. Driving rapidly to his house, he ...
/.../prevailing prayer of a child.htm

Little Folks.
... They used the whip, but the horse wouldn't move. They got off and tried to roll
the wagon along, but they could move neither the wagon nor the horse. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/little folks.htm

Early School Days
... Then the wagon containing their few belongings moved away from the place
that for nearly five years they had called their home. ...
/.../byrum/how john became a man/chapter iv early school days.htm

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
... To illustrate: A driver, holding the reins, guides team and wagon at will.
If he were content merely to hold the reins, regardless ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fourth sunday after epiphany.htm

Answers to Prayer
... I found him lying under his wagon. The wagon was loaded with bacon, in bulk about
two tons. The heat with the pressure had caused it to drip freely. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/answers to prayer.htm

Jacob and Doubting Souls --A Parallel
... The very institution of the Sabbath seems to me to be a "wagon" in which to bring
you to Christ. And why does God send ministers to preach his gospel? ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/jacob and doubting soulsa parallel.htm

Wagon (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The Dipper, or Charles's Wain. 5. (vt) To transport in a wagon or wagons;
as, goods are wagoned from city to city. ...WAGON, WAGGON. wag'-un. See CART. ...
/w/wagon.htm - 8k

Wagon-defence (2 Occurrences)
Wagon-defence. Wagon, Wagon-defence. Wagons . Multi-Version
Concordance Wagon-defence (2 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 26:5 ...
/w/wagon-defence.htm - 7k

Wheel (20 Occurrences)
... or nave, in which is inserted the axle, -- used for supporting and conveying vehicles,
in machinery, and for various purposes; as, the wheel of a wagon, of a ...
/w/wheel.htm - 18k

Cart (12 Occurrences)
... moving on wheels, and usually drawn by oxen (2 Samuel 6:3). The Hebrew word thus
rendered, 'agalah (1 Samuel 6:7, 8), is also rendered "wagon" (Genesis 45:19). ...
/c/cart.htm - 15k

Wagons (14 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:3 and they brought their offering before Yahweh, six covered wagons, and
twelve oxen; a wagon for every two of the princes, and for each one an ox ...
/w/wagons.htm - 11k

Waging (6 Occurrences)

/w/waging.htm - 8k

Upset (9 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) The act of upsetting, or the state of being upset; an overturn; as, the
wagon had an upset. Multi-Version Concordance Upset (9 Occurrences). ...
/u/upset.htm - 9k

Unlade (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To take the load from; to take out the
cargo of; as, to unlade a ship or a wagon. 2. (vt) To unload ...
/u/unlade.htm - 6k

Lift (283 Occurrences)
... (n.) The space or distance through which anything is lifted; as, a long lift. 12.
(n.) Help; assistance, as by lifting; as, to give one a lift in a wagon. 13. ...
/l/lift.htm - 41k

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