KING JAMES BIBLE DICTIONARY

"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 (Isaiah 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)

CHAMBER,

CHAMBER,

1. An apartment in an upper story, or in a story above the lower floor of a dwelling house; often used as a lodging room.

2. Any retired room; any private apartment which a person occupies; as, he called on the judge at his chamber

Joseph entered into his chamber and wept. Genesis 43:30.

3. Any retired place.

Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. Proverbs 7:27.

4. A hollow or cavity; as the chamber of the eye.

5. A place where an assembly meets, and the assembly itself; as star-chamber; imperial chamber; chamber of accounts; ecclesiastical chamber; privy chamber; chamber of commerce, etc.

6. In military affairs, the chamber of a mortar is that part of the chase, where the powder lies.

7. A powder-chamber, or bomb-chamber, a place under ground for holding powder and bombs, where they may be safe and secured from rains.

8. The chamber of a mine, a place, generally of a cubical form, where the powder is confined.

9. A species of ordnance.

10. The clouds. Psalms 104:3.

11. Certain southern constellations which are hid from us.

The chambers of the south. Job 9:9.

CHAMBER-council, a private or secret council

CHAMBER-counsel, a counselor, who gives his opinion in a private apartment, but does not advocate causes in court.

CHAMBER,

CHAMBER, verb intransitive

1. To reside in or occupy as a chamber

2. To be wanton; to indulge in lewd or immodest behavior. Romans 13:1.

CHAMBER,

CHAMBER, verb transitive To shut up as in a chamber

CHAMBERER,

CHAMBERER, noun One who intrigues, or indulges in wantonness.

CHAMBER-FELLOW, AMBER-FELLOW, noun One who sleeps in the same apartment.

(Romans 13:13), wantonness, impurity.

CHAMBERING,

CHAMBERING, noun Wanton, lewd, immodest behavior. Romans 13:13.

A confidential servant of the king (Genesis 37:36; 39:1). In Romans 16:23 mention is made of "Erastus the chamberlain." Here the word denotes the treasurer of the city, or the quaestor, as the Romans styled him. He is almost the only convert from the higher ranks of whom mention is made (comp. Acts 17:34). Blastus, Herod's "chamberlain" (Acts 12:20), was his personal attendant or valet-de-chambre. The Hebrew word saris, thus translated in Esther 1:10, 15; 2:3, 14, 21, etc., properly means an eunuch (as in the marg.), as it is rendered in Isaiah 39:7; 56:3.

An officer of a king.
2 Kings 23:11; Esther 1:10-15; Esther 2:3-21; Esther 4:4-5; Acts 12:20; Romans 16:23

an officer attached to the court of a king, who formerly had charge of the private apartments or chambers of the palace. He kept the accounts of the public revenues. The office held by Blastus, "the king's chamberlain," was entirely different from this. (Acts 12:20) It was a post of honor which involved great intimacy and influence with the king. For chamberlain as used in the Old Testament, see [EUNUCH]

CHAMBERLAIN,

CHAMBERLAIN, noun

1. An officer charged with the direction and management of a chamber, or of chambers. The Lord chamberlain of Great Britain is the sixth officer of the crown. To him belong livery and lodging in the kings court; on coronation day he brings to the king his apparel, his sword, scabbard, etc. He dresses and undresses the king on that day, and waits on him before and after dinner. To him also belongs the care of providing all things in the house of lords, in time of parliament. Under him are the gentleman usher of the black rod, and other officers. The Lord chamberlain of the household has the oversight of all officers belonging to the kings chambers, except the precinct of the bed-chamber, of the wardrobe, physicians, chaplains, barbers, etc., and administers the oath to all officers above stairs.

The chamberlains of the exchequer, of London, of Chester, of North Wales, etc., are receivers of rents and revenues.

2. A servant who has the care of the chambers in an inn or hotel.

CHAMBERLAINSHIP,

CHAMBERLAINSHIP, noun The office of a chamberlain.

CHAMBER-LYE, noun Urine.

CHAMBER-MAID,

CHAMBER-MAID, noun A woman who has the care of chambers, making the beds, and cleaning the rooms, or who dresses a lady and waits upon her in her apartment.

CHAMBER-POT, noun A vessel used in bedrooms.

CHAMBER-PRACTICE,

CHAMBER-PRACTICE, noun The practice of counselors at law, who give their opinions in private, but do not appear in court.