The word 'closet' occurs only once in the OT (Jl 2'"), where it is u.scd for the nuptial ttnt (see Driver, ad loc.), as is the word ' chamber ' in Ps IK*. It is used twice in NT, where it represents r^fuior.
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HOUSE
HOUSE
• storehouse' or 'closet' (Mt 6«, Lk 12*). The word ' parlour ' is used only three times. In Jg 3-*'- the summer parlour (n;'?;') of Eglon means the roof-chamber, raised above the flat roof at one corner or upon a tower-like annexe to the building (Moore). In 1 Ch 28" RV ' the inner chambers^ (cni,;) is tr^ 'inner parlour' in W. In 1 S 9^ ' ]iailour ' is used for n;^''?, which signifies a room in wliich the sacrilicial meals were lield (see Driver, ad Inc.). In KV it is tr^ 'guest-chamber.'
There are thus only three Hebrew words used in connexion witli chambers of houses. 1. Tin a. chamber : Job 9^ 37" airo6i)KTi, cuhicuhim ; inner chamber : Gn 43», 1 K 20*' 22-», 2 K 9^ 1 Ch 28", 2 Ch 18^ ; bedchamber : 2 S 4' 13'», 2 K C'', 2 Ch 22", Ec 10-" ; women's apartment : Ca 1* 3* ; bridal-chamber: Jg 15» 16», Jl 2'» (chamber); etore-house : Pr 24*.
2. i"-;' (il'Ttpvoi', ccenaculum), an upper chamber on tlie roof of a house : Jg 3=°"- (Eglon), 2 K 1» (Ahaziah), 4" (Elisha), 23" (Aliaz).
3. n;:;'p {KariXv/ui, triclinium), a sacrificial dining- room : I S 9'- ; used in later times for the chambers in the Temple Court in which the priests lived : Jer 35" *, Ezk 40" etc.
In the smaller houses there were probably no bedrooms, and in houses generally all rooms could be used for sleeping in, as is tlie case at the present day ; but tlie inner chambers appear to have been more particularly set apart for sleeping, or were used as closets in which the bedding was kept (2S 4', Ec Itf"; Jos. Ant. XII. iv. 11 ; 2K 11). The furniture of a chamber for sleeping in is given (2 K 4'") as ' a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick ' ; its position in a retired portion of the house is indicated in Ex 8', 2 K 6", and other passages. Joash and his nurse were hidden in a chamber for tlie beds (2 K 11-, 2 Ch 22"), probably a closet for the bedding. In the poorer class of houses the place set apart for laying down the beds was often merely a portion of the (•oimiion room devoted to daily avocations, with the lloor Bomewhat raised, or else a room in which the family all slept together (Lk 11'). The constant reference to chambers for withdrawing to and inner chambers among all classes, sliows that it was usual to have more than one room in the house, except with the very poor. Houses were often two storeys in lieight, and the upper chamber or 'I'diyah was used for withdrawing to or sleeping in (,lg 3=», 2 K 4"). The chamber from which Ahaziah fell through the lattice was of this nature. Altars appear to have been erected in these upper cliarabers on the roof (2 K 23'-).
Doorway (nns 'opening,' 'entrance'), Door (n^-;). — The doorway of the house dificrs from the gate of the city (its', ttuXj/, porta] in tliat tlie first was for private and the latter for public purposes. When n^ is used of tlie gate of a city, it appears to diller from ij;;', which denotes the whole struc- ture, including posts, open space, etc., in being restricted to the actual door which swings on its hinges (Oxf. Heb. Lex.).
Tlie doorway consisted of three parts: — The threshold or sill (id, which is u.sed in some cases for door, 2 K 12' 22*, Jer 35*), the two side posts (nuii=), and the lintel ("lipyp). Ex 12"-. The door itself was of wood, stone, or metal, according to circumstances. Wooden and metal doors have disappeared ; but in Asia Minor, and east of the Lake of Gennesaret, stone doors exist to the present day in situ, the stone hinges resting in the sockets (IJurckhardt, S>/ria, p. 58).
These doors were often made with two leaves, and had bolls and bars (Jg 3== 16», Neh 3» 7', Ca 5'). See Bap, Bolt, Key.
The doorways were often highly ornamented and enriched with tracery (Is 54'-, Rev 21^"), and
inscribed with sentences of Scripture in accordanc« with the Mosaic Law, ' Thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates' (Dt 6* 11™). In Moslem countries the same practice exists at the present day. The miziizdh, the distinctive mark of a Hebrew habitation, is a kind of amulet like the phylacteries, and consists of a tube of vellum, inside of which are scrolls with various scriptural texts. These at the present day are hung up inside the doorway on the doorpost. Inside the doorway was a bench for the doorkeeper and servants, and there the master of the house sat and transacted business.
The door could be broken in readily. ' They pressed, and came near to break the door' (Gn 19"). The willing bondman was received into the house- hold by having his ear thrust through with an awl into the door (Ex 21', Dt 15"). The inner chamber in Amnon's house had a door with a bolt (2 S 13").