Chamber

“on the wall,” which the Shunammite prepared for the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4:10), was an upper chamber over the porch through the hall toward the street. This was the “guest chamber” where entertainments were prepared (Mark 14:14). There were also “chambers within chambers” (1 Kings 22:25; 2 Kings 9:2). To enter into a chamber is used metaphorically of prayer and communion with God (Isa. 26:20). The “chambers of the south” (Job 9:9) are probably the constelations of the southern hemisphere. The “chambers of imagery”, i.e., chambers painted with images, as used by Ezekiel (8:12), is an expression denoting the vision the prophet had of the abominations practised by the Jews in Jerusalem.

(Genesis 43:30; 2 Samuel 18:33; Psalms 19:5; Daniel 6:10) The word chamber in these passages has much the same significance as with us, meaning the private rooms of the house—the guest chamber, as with us, meaning a room set apart for the accommodation of the visiting friend. (Mark 14:14,15; Luke 22:12) The upper chamber was used more particularly for the lodgment of strangers. (Acts 9:37)

CHAM'BER. Gen 43:30. Usually, the private apartments of a house are called chambers. 2 Sam 18:33; Ps 19:5; Dan 6:10. Particular rooms of this class in Eastern houses were designated by significant terms. Guest-chamber. Mark 14:14, This we may suppose to have been a spacious unoccupied room, usually in the upper part of the house, and furnished suitably for the reception and entertainment of guests and for social meetings. The proverbial hospitality of the Jews would make such provision necessary, and especially at Jerusalem, in festival seasons, when every house in the city was the stranger's home. Mark 14:15; Luke 22:12; Acts 1:13. See Hospitality. Inner Chamber. 2 Kgs 9:2. A chamber within another chamber. Little Chamber. 2 Kgs 4:10. An apartment built upon and projecting from the walls of the main house, and communicating by a private door with the house, and by a private stairway with the street. Upper Chamber, or Loft, Acts 9:37, occupied the front part of the building, over the gate or outer entrance, and was used to lodge strangers. Comp. Acts 1 Kgs, 17:19 and Heb 12:23 with 2 Kgs 4:10. See Dwellings.

CHAM'BER. Gen 43:30. Usually, the private apartments of a house are called chambers. 2 Sam 18:33; Ps 19:5; Dan 6:10. Particular rooms of this class in Eastern houses were designated by significant terms. Guest-chamber. Mark 14:14, This we may suppose to have been a spacious unoccupied room, usually in the upper part of the house, and furnished suitably for the reception and entertainment of guests and for social meetings. The proverbial hospitality of the Jews would make such provision necessary, and especially at Jerusalem, in festival seasons, when every house in the city was the stranger's home. Mark 14:15; Luke 22:12; Acts 1:13. See Hospitality. Inner Chamber. 2 Kgs 9:2. A chamber within another chamber. Little Chamber. 2 Kgs 4:10. An apartment built upon and projecting from the walls of the main house, and communicating by a private door with the house, and by a private stairway with the street. Upper Chamber, or Loft, Acts 9:37, occupied the front part of the building, over the gate or outer entrance, and was used to lodge strangers. Comp. Acts 1 Kgs, 17:19 and Heb 12:23 with 2 Kgs 4:10. See Dwellings.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A retired room, esp. an upper room used for sleeping; a bedroom; as, the house had four chambers.

2. Apartments in a lodging house. "A bachelor's life in chambers." Thackeray.

3. A hall, as where a king gives audience, or a deliberative body or assembly meets; as, presence chamber; senate chamber.

4. A legislative or judicial body; an assembly; a society or association; as, the Chamber of Deputies; the Chamber of Commerce.

5. A compartment or cell; an inclosed space or cavity; as, the chamber of a canal lock; the chamber of a furnace; the chamber of the eye.

6. A room or rooms where a lawyer transacts business; a room or rooms where a judge transacts such official business as may be done out of court.

7. A chamber pot. [Colloq.]

8. That part of the bore of a piece of ordnance which holds the charge, esp. when of different diameter from the rest of the bore; -- formerly, in guns, made smaller than the bore, but now larger, esp. in breech-loading guns.

9. A cavity in a mine, usually of a cubical form, to contain the powder.

10. A short piece of ornance or cannon, which stood on its breech, without any carriage, formerly used chiefly for rejoicings and theatrical cannonades. Air chamber. See Air chamber, in the Vocabulary. -- Chamber of commerce, a board or association to protect the interests of commerce, chosen from among the merchants and traders of a city. -- Chamber council, a secret council. Shak. -- Chamber counsel or counselor, a counselor who gives his opinion in private, or at his chambers, but does not advocate causes in court. -- Chamber fellow, a chamber companion; a roommate; a chum. -- Chamber hangings, tapestry or hangings for a chamber. -- Chamber lye, urine. Shak. -- Chamber music, vocal or instrumental music adapted to performance in a chamber or small apartment or audience room, instead of a theater, concert hall, or chuch. -- Chamber practice (Law.), the practice of counselors at law, who give their opinions in private, but do not appear in court. -- To sit at chambers, to do business in chambers, as a judge.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To reside in or occupy a chamber or chambers.

2. To be lascivious. [Obs.]

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To shut up, as inn a chamber. Shak.

2. To furnish with a chamber; as, to chamber a gun.