Cupboard
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Cupboard in the Bible?
A sideboard or cabinet on which Simon the High Priest displayed gold and silver vessels, an act that astonished the Syrian envoy Athenobius.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this artifact clarifies the historical context of Josephus's account in Antiquities 12.3.3, illustrating the diplomatic prestige and material wealth associated with the Hasmonean priesthood during the Seleucid period.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Cupboard were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Cupboard in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Cupboard 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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Cupboard." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/cupboard/