Chapel
LocationsGeographical Setting
A small place of worship subordinate to a larger church or royal court.
What is the meaning of Chapel in the Bible?
A chapel is a subordinate place of worship, distinct from a primary church or temple, often established within royal courts or private estates, as illustrated by the reference to the royal chapel in Amos 7:13.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the distinction between a chapel and a main temple helps readers grasp the decentralized nature of ancient Israelite worship and reveals how political authorities, such as King Jeroboam, utilized subordinate religious sites to consolidate power and divert loyalty from the central sanctuary in Jerusalem.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Chapel in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Chapel clarify?
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.