Asuppim
“Collections or gatherings”
Summary
A Hebrew term referring to the storehouses or storage chambers located at the gates of the Temple in Jerusalem.
☩Location and Function
Asuppim was a part of the Temple to which two of the Levites of the family of Obed-edom were assigned as guards. The term means 'collections' or 'gatherings,' referring to the storage chambers where grain, wine, and other offerings for the sustenance of the priests were kept. It was located near the southern gate of the Temple in the outer court.
☩Biblical References
The Hebrew word appears untranslated in 1 Chronicles but is rendered 'thresholds' in Nehemiah 12:25, with marginal readings of 'treasuries' or 'assemblies.' The space between two northernmost gates in the western outer wall was enclosed for these store-chambers, known as the 'house of Asuppim.' The structure apparently had two entrances, as two guard stations were assigned to it.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Asuppim," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Asuppim; House of Asuppim," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Asuppim," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Asuppim," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).