Loft
TextsWhat is the meaning of Loft in the Bible?
In 1 Kings 17:23, the Revised Version (British and American) translates the Hebrew word 'aliyyah' as 'chamber' rather than 'loft', referring to an upper room in the house of the king in Samaria.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the architectural context of an upper room clarifies the narrative setting where the prophet Elisha restores the Shunammite woman's son to life.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Loft functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Loft in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Loft clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
1 Kings 17:23
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
"Loft." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/loft/