Open Place
TextsWhat is the meaning of Open Place in the Bible?
The phrase 'open place' in Genesis 38:14 and 1 Kings 22:10 results from a textual corruption in the Masoretic tradition, where the Hebrew word for threshing floor or gate was misread or miswritten, a discrepancy resolved in modern critical editions and translations.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this textual corruption allows readers to accurately reconstruct the original narrative context, clarifying that the events occurred at a public threshing floor or city gate rather than an undefined open area.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Open Place 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 Open Place in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Open Place clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Genesis 38:141 Kings 22:10
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
"Open Place." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/open-place/