Axle-Tree
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Axle-Tree in the Bible?
An axle-tree is the stationary beam or shaft of a cart or wagon that supports the wheels and bears the vehicle's load, distinct from a rotating axle. In the biblical narrative of Genesis 19, the term refers to the shaft of the wagon Lot's family used to flee Sodom.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the axle-tree as a fixed structural component of the wagon clarifies the physical reality of Lot's flight. It underscores the suddenness of the divine judgment, as Lot's wife was transformed into a pillar of salt while physically tethered to the moving vehicle, emphasizing the immediacy of the consequence for disobeying the command to flee without looking back.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Axle-Tree in this passage?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.