Cellar
“A vault or covered place”
Summary
An underground room used for storage, particularly of wine and oil, and referenced by Jesus in teaching about not hiding light.
☩Storage Cellars
The Hebrew word 'otsar, sometimes rendered 'cellar,' more properly means stores or treasury. David appointed officials over his cellars of wine and oil, referring to the royal storehouses. Excavations show that larger houses in Palestine were sometimes built over older ruins that served as cellars for the new structures.
☩Jesus's Teaching
Jesus used the imagery of a cellar in His teaching about spiritual light. He said that no one who lights a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a bushel, but on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. The cellar represents concealment—the Christian who hides their light acts contrary to God's purpose, for believers are meant to illuminate the world.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Cellar," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Cellar," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Cellar," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).