Reference: Tent
American
Dwelling in tents was very general in ancient times among Eastern nations, Ge 4:20; their way of life being pastoral, locomotion became necessary for pasturage, and dwellings adapted for such a life became indispensable, Isa 38:12. The patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob dwelt in tents, Ge 18:1; Heb 11:9; and on the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, throughout their peregrinations until they obtained the promised land, and to some extent afterwards, they adopted the same kind of habitation. See BOOTHS. Hence the expression. "Every man to his tents, O Israel," etc.,
Jg 7:8; 2Sa 20:1; 2Ki 8:21. Indeed, the people of the East, men, women, and children, lived very much in the open air, as is obvious from the New Testament narratives. And the same is true of them at the present day. The Midianites, the Philistines, the Syrains, the descendants of Ham, the Hagarites, and the Cushanites are mentioned in Scripture as living in tents. But the people most remarkable for this unsettled and wandering mode of life are the Arabs, who from the time of Ishmael to the present have continued the custom of dwelling in tents. Amid the revolutions which have transferred kingdoms from one possessor to another , these wandering tribes still dwell in tents, unsubdued and wild as was their progenitor. This kind of dwelling is not, however, confined to the Arabs, but is used throughout the continent of Asia. The word tent is formed from the Latin, "to stretch;" tents being usually made of canvas stretched out, and sustained by poles with cords secured to pegs driven into the ground. The "nail of the tent" with which Jael pierced the head of Sisera was such a tent-pin, Jg 4:21. See also Isa 33:20; 40:22; 54:2. The house of God, and heaven, are spoken of in Scripture as the tent or tabernacle of Jehovah, Ps 15:1; 61:4; 84:1; Heb 8:2; 9:11; and the body as the tabernacle of the soul, taken down by death, 2Co 5:1; 2Pe 1:13. Says Lord Lindsay, "There is something very melancholy in our morning flitting. The tent-pins are plucked up, and in a few minutes a dozen holes, a heap or two of ashes, and the marks of the camels' knees in the sand, soon to be obliterated, are the only traces left of what has been for a while our home." "Often," says M'Cheyne, "we found ourselves shelterless before being fully dressed. What a type of the tent of our body! Ah, how often is it taken down before the soul is made meet for the inheritance of he saints in light." A tent is also put for its inmates, Hab 3:7; Zec 12:7.
Tents are of various colors; black, as tents of Kedar, Ps 120:5; Song 1:5; red, as of scarlet cloth; yellow, as of gold shining brilliantly; white, as of canvas. They are also of various shapes; some circular, others of an oblong figure, not unlike the bottom of a ship turned upside down. In Syria, the tents are generally made of cloth of goats' hair, woven by women, Ex 35:26. Those of the Arabs are of black goats' hair. Some other nations adopt the same kind, but it is not common. The Egyptian and Moorish inhabitants of Askalon are said to use white tents; and D'Arvieux mentions that the tent of an Arab emir he visited was distinguished from the rest by its being of white cloth. An Arab sheikh will have a number of tents, of himself, his family, servants, and visitors; as in patriarchal times Jacob had separate tents for himself, for Leah, Rachel, and their maids, Ge 31:33; Jg 4:17. Usually, however, one tent suffices for a family; being divided, if large, into several apartments by curtains.
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And Ada bare Jabal; of whom came they that dwell in tents and possess cattle.
And the LORD appeared unto him in the oak grove of Mamre as he sat in his tent door in the heat of the day.
Then went Laban into Jacob's tent, and into Lea's tent, and into two maidens' tents: but found them not. Then went he out of Lea's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.
And all the women that excelled in wisdom of heart, span the goats' hair.
Howbeit, Sisera fled afoot to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor, and the household of Heber the Kenite.
Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a nail of the tent, and a hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail thorough the temples of his head into the ground, as he slumbered being weary: And so he died.
And they took victuals with them for the folk, and their trumpets. And he sent all the rest of Israel, every man unto his tent, and kept the three hundred with him. And the host of Midian was beneath him in a valley.
{A Psalm of David} Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? Who shall rest upon thy holy hill?
I will dwell in thy tabernacle forever and my trust shall be under the covering of thy wings. Selah.
{Upon Gittith, a Psalm of the sons of Korah} O how amiable are thy dwellings, thou LORD of Hosts!
Woe is me, that I am constrained to dwell with Meshech, and to have my habitation among the tents of Kedar!
I am black, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, like as the tents of the Kedarenes, and as the hangings of Solomon: but yet am I fair and well favored withal.
There shall Zion be seen, the head city of our solemn feasts. There shall thine eyes see Jerusalem, that glorious habitation; the tabernacle that never shall remove, whose nails shall never be taken out; world without end, whose cords everyone shall never corrupt.
Mine age is folden up together, and taken away from me, like a shepherd's cottage: my life is hewn off, like as a weaver cutteth off his web. While I was yet taking my rest, he hewed me off, and made an end of me in one day.'
That he sitteth upon the Circle of the world, and that all the inhabiters of the world are, in comparison of him, but as grasshoppers; That he spreadeth out the heavens as a covering, he stretcheth them out as a tent to dwell in;
Make thy tent wider, and spread out the hangings of thine habitation: spare not, lay forth thy cords, and make fast thy stakes:
I saw, that the pavilions of the Ethiopians and the tents of the land of Midian were vexed for weariness.
The LORD shall preserve the tents of Judah, like as afore time: so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the citizens of Jerusalem, shall be but little regarded in comparison of the glory of Judah.
We know surely if our earthy mansion wherein we now dwell were destroyed, that we have a building ordained of God, a habitation not made with hands, but eternal in heaven:
and is a minister of holy things, and of the very tabernacle which God pitched, and not man.
But Christ being a high priest of good things to come, came by a greater, and a more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands: that is to say, not of this manner building,
By faith he removed into the land that was promised him, as into a strange country, and dwelt in tabernacles: and so did Isaac, and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.
Easton
(1.) Heb 'ohel (Ge 9:21,27). This word is used also of a dwelling or habitation (1Ki 8:66; Isa 16:5; Jer 4:20), and of the temple (Eze 41:1). When used of the tabernacle, as in 1Ki 1:39, it denotes the covering of goat's hair which was placed over the mishcan.
(2.) Heb mishcan (Song 1:8), used also of a dwelling (Job 18:21; Ps 87:2), the grave (Isa 22:16; comp. Isa 14:18), the temple (Ps 46:4; 84:2; 132:5), and of the tabernacle (Ex 25:9; 26:1; 40:9; Nu 1:50,53; 10:11). When distinguished from 'ohel, it denotes the twelve interior curtains which lay upon the framework of the tabernacle (q.v.).
(3.) Heb kubbah (Nu 25:8), a dome-like tent devoted to the impure worship of Baal-peor.
(4.) Heb succah (2Sa 11:11), a tent or booth made of green boughs or branches (see Ge 33:17; Le 23:34,42; Ps 18:11; Jon 4:5; Isa 4:6; Ne 8:15-17, where the word is variously rendered).
Jubal was "the father of such as dwell in tents" (Ge 4:20). The patriarchs were "dwellers in tents" (Ge 9:21,27; 12:8; 13:12; 26:17); and during their wilderness wanderings all Israel dwelt in tents (Ex 16:16; De 33:18; Jos 7:24). Tents have always occupied a prominent place in Eastern life (1Sa 17:54; 2Ki 7:7; Ps 120:5; Song 1:5). Paul the apostle's occupation was that of a tent-maker (Ac 18:3); i.e., perhaps a maker of tent cloth.
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And Ada bare Jabal; of whom came they that dwell in tents and possess cattle.
and drank of the wine and was drunk, and lay uncovered in the midst of his tent.
and drank of the wine and was drunk, and lay uncovered in the midst of his tent.
God increase Japheth that he may dwell in the tents of Shem. And Canaan be their servant."
God increase Japheth that he may dwell in the tents of Shem. And Canaan be their servant."
Then departed he thence unto a mountain that lieth on the east side of Bethel and pitched his tent - Bethel being on the west side, and Ai on the east - and he built there an altar unto the LORD, and called on the name of the LORD.
Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan: And Lot in the cities of the plain, and tented till he came to Sodom.
Then Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley Gerar and dwelt there.
And Jacob took his journey toward Succoth, and built him a house, and made booths for his cattle: whereof the name of the place is called Succoth.
This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, that ye gather every man enough for him to eat: a gomer full for a man according to the number of you, and gather every man for them which are in his tent."
And I shall show thee the fashion of the habitation and of all the ornaments thereof; even so, see that ye make it in all things.
And thou shalt make a habitation with ten curtains of twined bysse, jacinth, scarlet and purple, and shalt make them with cherubims of broidered work.
And take the anointing oil and anoint the habitation and all that is therein, and hallow it and all that belong thereto: that it may be holy.
"Speak unto the children of Israel, and say, 'The fifteenth day of the same seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles, seven days unto the LORD.
And ye shall dwell in booths seven days: even all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths,
But thou shalt appoint the Levites unto the habitation of witness, and to all the apparel thereof and unto all that longeth thereto. For they shall bear the tabernacle and all the ordinance thereof, and they shall minister it and shall pitch their tents round about it.
But the Levites shall pitch round about the habitation of witness, that there fall no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel, and the Levites shall wait upon the habitation of witness."
And it came to pass the twentieth day of the second month in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the habitation of witness.
and went after the man of Israel into the whorehouse, and thrust them through: both the man of Israel and also the woman even through the belly of her. And the plague ceased from the children of Israel.
And unto Zebulun he said, "Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out, and thou, Issachar, in thy tents.
And Joshua took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the tongue of gold, and his sons and his daughters, his oxen, asses, sheep, his tent and all that he had, and all Israel with him, and brought them unto the valley of Achor.
And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem: But he put his armour in his tent.
And Uriah said unto David, "The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in pavilions; and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord lie in tents upon the flat earth - and should I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? By thy life and as sure as thy soul liveth, I will not do that thing."
And Zadok the priest took a horn of oil out of the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew a trumpet, and they all said, "God save king Solomon!"
And the eighth day he sent the people away. And they blessed the king and went unto their tents joyous and glad in heart for all the goodness that the LORD had showed unto David his servant and to Israel his people.
And so they caused it be declared and proclaimed in all their cities, and at Jerusalem, saying, "Go up unto the mount and fetch Olive branches, and Pine branches, Myrtle branches, Palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written." And the people went up, and fetched them, and made them booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street by the Watergate, and in the street by port Ephraim. read more. And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity, made booths, and dwelt therein. For since the time of Jeshua the son of Nun unto this day, had not the children of Israel done so, and there was very great gladness.
Such are now the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God."
He made darkness his secret place, his pavilion round about him; with dark waters and thick clouds to cover him. {TYNDALE: And he made darkness a tabernacle round about him, with water gathered together in thick clouds.}
The rivers of the flood thereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling of the most highest.
My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
the LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Woe is me, that I am constrained to dwell with Meshech, and to have my habitation among the tents of Kedar!
until I find out a place for the temple of the LORD, a habitation for the mighty one of Jacob."
I am black, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, like as the tents of the Kedarenes, and as the hangings of Solomon: but yet am I fair and well favored withal.
If thou know not thyself, O thou fairest among women, then go thy way forth after the footsteps of the sheep, and feed thy goats beside the shepherds' tents.
And Jerusalem shall be a tabernacle for a shadow because of heat in the daytime, and place and refuge where a man may keep him from weather and rain.
The kings of the nations lie every one in his own house with worship,
And in mercy shall the throne be prepared, and he shall sit upon it in the truth, in the tabernacle of David: judging, and seeking judgment, and making haste unto righteousness.
'What hast thou here to do? And whom hast thou here? That thou shouldest here hew thee out a sepulchre, as it were one that causeth a costly tomb of stone to be made for himself, or that graveth a habitation out of a rock?
They cry murder upon murder; the whole land shall perish. Immediately my tents were destroyed, and my hangings, in the twinkling of an eye.
After this he brought me to the temple, and measured the posts: which were of both the sides six cubits thick, according to the wideness of the tabernacle.
And Jonah gat him out of the city and sat him down on the east side thereof, and made him there a booth and sat thereunder in the shadow, till he might see what should chance unto the city.
And because he was of the same craft he abode with them and wrought: their craft was to make tents.
Fausets
ohel, "tabernacle "; mishkan, "dwelling"; sukkak, "booth"; qubbah, "recess" (Nu 25:8). The characteristic dwelling of the keepers of cattle, the nomadic races, of whom Jabal was the father (Ge 4:20). The stay of Israel in Egypt weaned them from tent life and trained them for their fixed home in Canaan. The pastoral tribes Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh, still in part retained the tent life E. of Jordan (Jos 22:8). The phrase "to your tents, O Israel," remained as a trace of the former nomadic state, when the nation was no longer so (1Ki 12:16). Agriculture was sometimes associated with tent life, as in Isaac's case (Ge 26:12), and probably in Heber's case (Jg 4:11-22). Hazerim (De 2:23) is not a proper name, but means nomadic "villages" or "enclosures," a piece of ground surrounded with a rude fence, in which tents were pitched and cattle tethered at night for safety from marauders; or as the Yezidee tent in Syria, a stone wall five feet high, roofed with goats' hair cloth raised on long poles.
So Hazar-adder in the S. and Hazar-erran in the N. (Nu 34:4,9.) Some tents are circular, resting on one central pole; others square on several poles. The better kind are oblong, and divided by a curtain into an outer apartment for the males and an inner one for the females. Hooks are fixed in the poles to hang articles on (Isa 22:23-24). To the rain-proof goats' hair covering a cloth is sewn or twisted round a stick, to the ends of which are tied leather loops.
To these loops one end of the tent ropes is fastened, the other being tied to a hooked sharp pin of wood which they drive into the ground with a mallet; such a nail and mallet Jael used (Jg 4:21). The patriarchs' wives had separate tents (Ge 24:67; 31:33). The beauty of Israel's orderly and wide encampment by the four parallel brooks running westward into Jordan is compared to trees in rows in beautiful gardens, such as Balaam had seen along his own river Euphrates (Nu 24:5-6). The quickness and ease with which tents can be struck, leaving their tenants without covering in the lonely desert, is Paul's image for the speedy dissolution of our mortal body, preparatory to our abiding resurrection home (2Co 5:1).
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And Ada bare Jabal; of whom came they that dwell in tents and possess cattle.
Then Isaac brought her in to his mother Sara's tent, and took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her: and so was Isaac comforted over his mother.
And Isaac sowed in the land, and found in the same year a hundred bushels; for the LORD blessed him.
Then went Laban into Jacob's tent, and into Lea's tent, and into two maidens' tents: but found them not. Then went he out of Lea's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.
How goodly are the tents of Jacob, and thine habitations Israel; even as the broad valleys and as gardens by the river's side, as the tents which the LORD hath pitched and as cypress trees upon the water.
and went after the man of Israel into the whorehouse, and thrust them through: both the man of Israel and also the woman even through the belly of her. And the plague ceased from the children of Israel.
and shall fetch a compass from the south up to Akrabbim, and reach to Zin. And it shall go out on the south side of Kadesh Barnea, and go out also at Hazaraddar, and go along to Azmon.
and the coast shall reach out to Ziphron and go out at Hazarenan. And this shall be your north quarter.
And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim even unto Gaza, the Caphthorims which came out of Caphthor destroyed them and dwelt in their rooms.
he said unto them, "Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, gold, brass, iron, and with raiment above measure, and divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren."
But Heber the Kenite was removed out of the Kenites, which was of the children of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and pitched his tent until he was come unto the oak of Zaananim, by Kadesh. And then it was showed unto Sisera how that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor. read more. And Sisera called for all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and for all the people that he had, from Harosheth of the gentiles unto the river of Kishon. Then said Deborah unto Barak, "Up, for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hands: for the LORD is gone out before thee." And so Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. But the LORD trounced Sisera and all his chariots and all his host with the edge of the sword, before Barak. And Sisera lighted down off his chariot and fled afoot. But Barak followed after the chariots and after the host, even unto Harosheth of the gentiles. And all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword, that there was not a man left. Howbeit, Sisera fled afoot to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor, and the household of Heber the Kenite. And Jael went out against Sisera and said unto him, "Turn in, my lord. Turn in to me and fear not." And he turned in unto her tent: and she covered him with a mantle. And he said unto her, "Give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty." And she opened a bottle of milk and gave him drink and covered him. And he said unto her, "Stand in the door of thy tent, and if any man come and ask thee, or enquire of thee whether there be any man here, say, 'Nay.'" Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a nail of the tent, and a hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail thorough the temples of his head into the ground, as he slumbered being weary: And so he died.
Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a nail of the tent, and a hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail thorough the temples of his head into the ground, as he slumbered being weary: And so he died. And behold, as Barak followed after Sisera, Jael came out against him, and said unto him, "Come and I will show thee the man whom thou seekest." And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail through his temples.
And when all Israel saw that the king regarded them not, the people answered the king again saying, "We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents therefore Israel, and now see to thine own house David." And so Israel departed unto their tents.
I will fasten him to a nail in the place of the most high faithfulness, and he shall be upon the glorious throne of his father's house. They shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, of the children and children's children, all apparel small and great, all instruments of measure and music.
We know surely if our earthy mansion wherein we now dwell were destroyed, that we have a building ordained of God, a habitation not made with hands, but eternal in heaven:
Hastings
Apart from the traditions of the patriarchs as 'quiet' men, 'dwelling in tents' (Ge 25:27 Revised Version margin), the settled Hebrews preserved a reminder of their nomad ancestry in such phrases as 'going to one's tent' for to 'go home' (Jg 19:9), and in the recurring call, 'to thy tents (i.e. to your homes), O Israel' (1Ki 12:16 etc.). For an interesting case of adherence to the 'nomadic Ideal' on religious grounds, see Rechabites.
The Hebrew tent, even in later days, cannot have differed much from the simple Bedouin tent of to-day, made by sewing together strips of the native goats' hair cloth (cf. Song 1:5 'I am black as the tents of Kedar'). These 'curtains' (Jer 4:20; Ex 26:2 and oft.) are held up by poles, generally 9 in number, arranged in three rows of three, and 6
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And they said unto him, "Where is Sara, thy wife?" And he said, "In the tent."
and the boys grew, and Esau became a cunning hunter and a tillman. But Jacob was a simple man and dwelled in the tents.
The length of a curtain shall be twenty eight cubits, and the breadth four and they shall be all of one measure:
Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a nail of the tent, and a hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail thorough the temples of his head into the ground, as he slumbered being weary: And so he died.
But it chanced, within a while after, even in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a Kid. And when he supposed to have gone in unto his wife into the chamber, her father would not suffer him to go in,
And then the man arose to depart with his concubine and his lad. But his father-in-law, the damsel's father, said unto him, "Behold, the day goeth fast away and draweth toward even. Tarry all night: at the least way tarry this day here and let thine heart be merry. And tomorrow get you early upon your way and get thee to thy tent."
And Uriah said unto David, "The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in pavilions; and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord lie in tents upon the flat earth - and should I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? By thy life and as sure as thy soul liveth, I will not do that thing."
And so they pitched Absalom a tent upon the top of the house. And he went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
And when all Israel saw that the king regarded them not, the people answered the king again saying, "We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents therefore Israel, and now see to thine own house David." And so Israel departed unto their tents.
And when Benhadad heard that tidings, as he and the kings were drinking in the pavilions, he said unto his servants, "Put ye in array." And they put themselves in array against the city.
And they went out at noon when Benhadad was a drinking strong drink in the pavilions with the thirty two kings that holp him.
And upon that they arose and fled in the dark, and left their tents, their horses, their asses and the field they had pitched even as it was, and fled for their lives.
Is not their dignity taken away with them? They shall die - and not in wisdom.'
It goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven, and runneth about unto the end of it again; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
I am black, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, like as the tents of the Kedarenes, and as the hangings of Solomon: but yet am I fair and well favored withal.
So when I was a little past them, I found him whom my soul loveth. I have gotten hold upon him, and will not let him go, until I bring him into my mother's house, and in to her chamber that bare me.
Make thy tent wider, and spread out the hangings of thine habitation: spare not, lay forth thy cords, and make fast thy stakes:
They cry murder upon murder; the whole land shall perish. Immediately my tents were destroyed, and my hangings, in the twinkling of an eye.
For though ye had slain the whole host of the Chaldeans that besiege you, and every one of the slain lay in his tent, yet should they stand up, and set fire upon this city.'"
Blow a trumpet in Zion, proclaim fasting and call a congregation.
and found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla: because that the Emperor Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome. And he drew unto them.
Morish
1. The word commonly translated 'tent' is ohel, but it is often translated in the A.V. 'tabernacle,' and is used also for 'dwelling' or 'habitation,' as in Job 8:22; Ps 91:10; etc. This word also shows that the goats' hair curtains formed 'the tent' of the tabernacle. See TABERNACLE. It was also 'a tent' that Moses pitched outside the camp, in Ex 33:7. See CAMP.
2. mishkan, rightly translated 'tabernacle' but is 'tent' in Cant. 1:8.
3. sukkah also translated 'tabernacle,' 'pavilion,' 'booth;' and only once 'tent.' 2Sa 11:11.
4. qubbah, occurring only in Nu 25:8. With the patriarchs their 'tent' was their dwelling place as far as they had any, easily moved from place to place as the cattle needed fresh pasture. On Israel entering the land the tents gave way to houses in the cities: as the Christian's 'tabernacle' will give place to the 'house' above. 2Co 5:1.
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And Moses took the tabernacle and pitched it without the host, afar off from the host, and called it the tabernacle of witness. And all that would ask any question of the LORD, went out unto the tabernacle of witness which was without the host.
and went after the man of Israel into the whorehouse, and thrust them through: both the man of Israel and also the woman even through the belly of her. And the plague ceased from the children of Israel.
And Uriah said unto David, "The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in pavilions; and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord lie in tents upon the flat earth - and should I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? By thy life and as sure as thy soul liveth, I will not do that thing."
They that hate thee, shall be confounded, and the dwellings of the ungodly shall come to naught."
There shall no evil happen unto thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
We know surely if our earthy mansion wherein we now dwell were destroyed, that we have a building ordained of God, a habitation not made with hands, but eternal in heaven:
Smith
Tent.
Among the leading characteristics of the nomad races, those two have always been numbered whose origin has been ascribed to Jabal the son of Lameth,
viz., to be tent-dwellers and keepers of cattle. The same may be said of the forefathers of the Hebrew race; nor was it until the return into Canaan from Egypt that the Hebrews became inhabitants of cities. An Arab tent is called beit, "house;" its covering consists of stuff, about three quarters of a yard broad, made of black goat's-hair,
laid parallel with the tent's length. This is sufficient to resist the heaviest rain. The tent-poles or columns are usually nine in number, placed in three groups; but many tents have only one pole, others two or three. The ropes which hold the tent in its place are fastened, not to the tent-cover itself, but to loops consisting of a leathern thong tied to the ends of a stick, round which is twisted a piece of old cloth, which is itself sewed to the tent-cover. The ends of the tent-ropes are fastened to short sticks or pins, which are driven into the ground with a mallet.
Round the back and sides of the tent runs a piece of stuff removable at pleasure to admit air. The tent is divided into two apartments, separated by a carpet partition drawn across the middle of the tent and fastened to the three middle posts. When the pasture near an encampment is exhausted, the tents are taken down, packed on camels and removed.
In choosing places for encampment, Arabs prefer the neighborhood of trees, for the sake of the shade and coolness which they afford.
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And Ada bare Jabal; of whom came they that dwell in tents and possess cattle.
Let a little water be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
And he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them, and stood himself by them under the tree: and they ate.
Then Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley Gerar and dwelt there.
And then he departed thence, and digged another well for the which they strove not: therefore called he it Rehoboth, saying, "The LORD hath now made us room, and we are increased upon the earth."
And then he built an altar there and called upon the name of the LORD, and there pitched his tent. And there Isaac's servants digged a well.
Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a nail of the tent, and a hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail thorough the temples of his head into the ground, as he slumbered being weary: And so he died.
I am black, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, like as the tents of the Kedarenes, and as the hangings of Solomon: but yet am I fair and well favored withal.
Mine age is folden up together, and taken away from me, like a shepherd's cottage: my life is hewn off, like as a weaver cutteth off his web. While I was yet taking my rest, he hewed me off, and made an end of me in one day.'