Parlour
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Parlour in the Bible?
The term parlour originates from the French verb parler, meaning to speak, and historically designated a room used for receiving guests or holding audiences.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing parlour as a later cultural superimposition rather than a direct translation of ancient Hebrew terminology helps readers distinguish between original ancient social structures and later interpretive frameworks.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Parlour. 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 Parlour in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Parlour clarify?
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
"Parlour." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/parlour/