Keeper; Keepers
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Keeper; Keepers in the Bible?
The term 'keeper' refers to individuals responsible for guarding or maintaining specific entities, such as livestock, vineyards, city gates, and prisons. In Ecclesiastes 12:3, the phrase 'keepers of the house' serves as a metaphor for the hands, illustrating the physical decline associated with aging.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the literal occupational roles of keepers enables readers to accurately interpret metaphorical language in wisdom literature, particularly the description of bodily deterioration in old age.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Keeper; Keepers. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Keeper; Keepers in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Keeper; Keepers clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Ecclesiastes 12:3
Related Topics
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
"Keeper; Keepers." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/keeper-keepers/