Manger
“Feeding place”
Summary
The manger was the feeding trough or stall where the infant Jesus was laid after His birth in Bethlehem, there being no room for His parents in the inn.
☩Definition and Setting
The Greek word phatne designates a feeding place for animals—either a trough or crib where fodder was placed, or the stall itself. In the East, it was common for the lower portion of a house to be used for animals, with a raised platform for the family. The manger may have been a stone or earthen trough built into this lower level, or it may have been in a cave used as a stable, as early tradition suggests. Justin Martyr, writing about AD 103 and born only forty miles from Bethlehem, stated that 'Joseph lodged in a cave near Bethlehem.'
☩Circumstances of the Nativity
Mary and Joseph could not find room in the kataluma (inn or guest chamber) because of the crowds gathered for the census. They were therefore accommodated in the portion of the building used for animals, where the infant was laid in the feeding trough after birth. The angels directed the shepherds to find the babe 'wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger'—this unusual circumstance serving as a sign to identify the Messiah. The humble setting of Christ's birth has been the subject of much pious reflection: the Creator of all things entering the world in such lowly circumstances.
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Manger," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Manger," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Manger," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Manger," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).