Cultural Examples in the Bible and Historical Context

The Bible is replete with cultural examples that provide insight into the historical context of the ancient world. One of the most significant cultural practices mentioned in the Bible is hospitality. Hospitality was considered a chief virtue in the ancient world, and the Jewish laws regarding strangers and the poor reflect this ^[3]. The biblical examples of Abraham's entertainment of the angels (Genesis 18:1-8) and Lot's hospitality to the angels (Genesis 19:1-3) demonstrate the importance of this virtue ^[1].

The practice of hospitality was not limited to the Israelites. The biblical account of Melchizedek, a non-Israelite king, shows that he too practiced hospitality, as evidenced by his offering bread and wine to Abraham ^[1]. The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of hospitality, with Christ setting an example (John 13:15) and the apostle Paul instructing believers to practice hospitality ^[2].

Another cultural practice mentioned in the Bible is early rising. The biblical account notes that Christ set an example of rising early for devotion (Mark 1:35; Luke 21:38; John 8:2) ^[4]. Other biblical figures, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, also rose early to execute God's commands or discharge daily duties ^[4].

The biblical cities were often built with specific characteristics, such as being situated beside rivers or on hills. The city was a significant aspect of ancient life, serving as a center of habitation, commerce, and culture ^[5]. The biblical account provides insight into the construction of cities, noting that they were often built with compactness and on solid foundations.

The practice of liberality is another cultural example mentioned in the Bible. The biblical account emphasizes the importance of liberality, particularly towards the poor, strangers, and enemies ^[6]. Christ set an example of liberality (2 Corinthians 8:9), and the apostle Paul instructed believers to practice liberality in their service to God and others ^[6].

The biblical examples of cultural practices provide insight into the historical context of the ancient world. The cultural practices mentioned in the Bible, such as hospitality, early rising, and liberality, demonstrate the values and norms of the ancient societies. Understanding these cultural practices is essential for interpreting the biblical text and appreciating its historical context.

The biblical text also uses cultural examples to convey spiritual truths. For example, the metaphor of marriage is used to describe the covenant relationship between God and his people (Ezekiel 23:4; Isaiah 54:1-8; Ephesians 5:22-33) ^{[7, 8]}. The biblical account also uses the image of adultery to symbolize Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness (Hosea 1-3) ^[7].

The New Testament writers drew on the cultural and historical context of the Old Testament to interpret the significance of Jesus Christ. For example, the writer of Hebrews applies descriptions of the Israelites in the Old Testament to the Christian audience, indicating that they are truly God's people in the new covenant era (1 Peter 2:9) ^[10]. The apostle Paul also draws on the cultural and historical context of the Old Testament to interpret the significance of Christ, noting that the spiritual rock that traveled with the Israelites was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:3-4) ^[9].

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hospitality — Commanded -- Ro 12:13; 1Pe 4:9. Required in ministers -- 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:8. A test of Christian character -- 1Ti 5:10. Specially to be shown to Strangers. -- Heb 13:2. The poor. -- Isa 58:7; Lu 14:13. Enemies. -- 2Ki 6:22,23; Ro 12:20. Encouragement to -- Lu 14:14; Heb 13:2. Exemplified Melchizedek. -- Ge 14:18. Abraham. -- Ge 18:3-8. Lot. -- Ge 19:2,3. Laban. -- Ge 24:31. Jethro. -- Ex 2:20. Manoah. -- Jdj 13:15. Samuel. -- 1Sa 9:22. David. -- 2Sa 6:19. Barzillai. -- 2Sa 19:32. Shunammite. -- 2Ki 4:8. Nehemiah. -- Ne 5:17. Job. -- Job 31:17,32. Zacchaeu”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Hospitality — Hospitality was regarded by most nations of the ancient world as one of the chief virtues. The Jewish laws respecting strangers (Leviticus 19:33,34) and the poor, (Leviticus 23:14) seq. Deuteronomy 15:7 And concerning redemption (Leviticus 25:23) seq., etc. are framed in accordance with the spirit of hospitality. In the law compassion to strangers is constantly enforced by the words "for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." (Leviticus 19:34) And before the law, Abraham's entertainment of the angels, (Genesis 18:1) seq., and Lot's, (Genesis 19:1) are ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Cities — First mention of -- Ge 4:17. Designed for habitations -- Ps 107:7,36. Often built to perpetuate a name -- Ge 11:4. Often founded and enlarged by blood and rapine -- Mic 3:10; Hab 2:12. Built Of brick and slime. -- Ge 11:3. Of stone and wood. -- Ps 102:14; Eze 26:12. Of brick and mortar. -- Ex 1:11,14. On solid foundations. -- Ezr 6:3; Re 21:14. With compactness. -- Ps 122:3. Often of a square form. -- Re 21:16. Beside rivers. -- Ps 46:4; 137:1. On hills. -- Mt 5:14; Lu 4:29; Re 17:9. In plains. -- Ge 11:2,4; 13:12. In desert places. -- 2Ch 8:4; Ps 107:35,36.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 10:3: 10:3-4 Spiritual food . . . spiritual water: God graciously and supernaturally provided food and water in the wilderness, especially for the people of Israel (see Exod 16:4-35; 17:1-7; Num 20:2-17). The Corinthians’ situation was analogous. • The spiritual rock that traveled with them alludes to the rock that Moses struck to get water (Exod 17:1-7; Num 20:2-17). Early Jewish tradition understood both occurrences of the miracle to involve the same rock that was traveling with them. • that rock was Christ: Paul’s interpretation of Israel’s experience provides”
1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 2:9: 2:9 Peter applies descriptions of the Israelites in the Old Testament (see, e.g., Exod 19:5-6) to his primarily Gentile audience, indicating that they—like all Christians—are truly God’s people in the new covenant era.”

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