chamber Summary and Overview

"on the wall," which the Shunammite prepared for the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4:10), was an upper chamber over the porch through the hall toward the street. This was the "guest chamber" where entertainments were prepared (Mark 14:14). There were also "chambers within chambers" (1 Kings 22:25; 2 Kings 9:2). To enter into a chamber is used metaphorically of prayer and communion with God (Isa. 26:20). The "chambers of the south" (Job 9:9) are probably the constelations of the southern hemisphere. The "chambers of imagery", i.e., chambers painted with images, as used by Ezekiel (8:12), is an expression denoting the vision the prophet had of the abominations practised by the Jews in Jerusalem.

#Ge 43:30; 2Sa 18:33; Ps 19:5; Da 6:10| The word chamber in these passages has much the same significance as with us, meaning the private rooms of the house --the guest chamber, as with us, meaning a room set apart for the accommodation of the visiting friend. #Mr 14:14,15; Lu 22:12| The upper chamber was used more particularly for the lodgment of strangers. #Ac 9:37|

CHAM'BER . Gen 43:30. Usually, the private apartments of a house are called chambers. 2 Sam 18:33; Ps 19:5; Dan 6:10. Particular rooms of this class in Eastern houses were designated by significant terms. Guest-chamber. Mark 14:14, This we may suppose to have been a spacious unoccupied room, usually in the upper part of the house, and furnished suitably for the reception and entertainment of guests and for social meetings. The proverbial hospitality of the Jews would make such provision necessary, and especially at Jerusalem, in festival seasons, when every house in the city was the stranger's home. Mark 14:15; Luke 22:12; Acts 1:13. See Hospitality. Inner Chamber. 2 Kgs 9:2. A chamber within another chamber. Little Chamber. 2 Kgs 4:10. An apartment built upon and projecting from the walls of the main house, and communicating by a private door with the house, and by a private stairway with the street. Upper Chamber, or Loft, Acts 9:37, occupied the front part of the building, over the gate or outer entrance, and was used to lodge strangers. Comp. Acts 1 Kgs, 17:19 and Heb 12:23 with 2 Kgs 4:10. See Dwellings.