Khan
LocationsGeographical Setting
A caravanserai or fortified inn found along trade routes in the Middle East and Central Asia, providing shelter for travelers and their animals.
What is the meaning of Khan in the Bible?
A khan is a roadside inn or caravanserai serving as a lodging and storage facility for travelers, distinct from the biblical Hebrew term mashkan which refers to the Tabernacle or dwelling place.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the function of a khan illuminates the logistical realities of travel in the ancient Near East, providing necessary context for biblical narratives involving merchants, pilgrims, and military movements that depended on these established resting points.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Khan in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Khan 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.