### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼurvâh**, represented by `{{H723}}`, refers to a **stall** or a herding-place for an animal. It appears **3 times** across **3 unique verses** in the Bible. Derived from a root word meaning "to feed," it denotes a structure built specifically for sheltering and maintaining livestock.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H723}}` is primarily associated with the wealth and power of kings. King Solomon{H8010} is recorded as having thousands of **stalls** for the **horses** `{{H5483}}` that served his military **chariots** (`{{H4817}}`, `{{H4818}}`). The accounts specify forty{H705} thousand{H505} stalls in one book [[1 Kings 4:26]] and four{H702} thousand{H505} in another [[2 Chronicles 9:25]]. The term is also used more broadly to describe structures for general livestock, as seen in the account of storehouses built for the **increase** `{{H8393}}` of agricultural goods, which included **stalls** for all manner of **beasts** `{{H929}}` [[2 Chronicles 32:28]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the context of `{{H723}}` by detailing the structures and resources associated with it:
* `{{H220}}` **ʼăvêrâh**: This word, defined as a **cote** or **stall**, is a direct transposition of **ʼurvâh**. It appears alongside `{{H723}}` in the context of providing shelter for **flocks** `{{H5739}}` [[2 Chronicles 32:28]].
* `{{H4543}}` **miçkᵉnâh**: Meaning a **storehouse** or treasure, this term is used in parallel with stalls to describe the vast infrastructure for storing agricultural wealth, including **corn** `{{H1715}}`, **wine** `{{H8492}}`, and **oil** `{{H3323}}` [[2 Chronicles 32:28]].
* `{{H5483}}` **çûwç**: This is the Hebrew word for **horse**. The stalls of King Solomon were built specifically for the great number of horses that powered his chariots, a key element of his royal power [[1 Kings 4:26]].
### Theological Significance
The use of `{{H723}}` highlights several important biblical themes:
* **Royal Power:** The sheer number of stalls for horses and chariots served as a tangible symbol of King Solomon's influence and military strength, a key feature of his reign ([[1 Kings 4:26]], [[2 Chronicles 9:25]]).
* **Divine Provision:** Stalls are listed alongside **storehouses** `{{H4543}}` filled with the **increase** `{{H8393}}` of the land, such as **corn** `{{H1715}}`, **wine** `{{H8492}}`, and **oil** `{{H3323}}`. This connection frames the abundance of livestock and produce as a sign of God’s blessing [[2 Chronicles 32:28]].
* **Stewardship of Abundance:** The construction of organized structures like stalls and storehouses points to the wise management of God-given resources. It reflects an orderly approach to preserving the wealth of the kingdom, from its animals to its harvest [[2 Chronicles 32:28]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H723}}` is more than just an architectural term. It serves as a marker of national prosperity and royal authority. Whether referring to the thousands of stalls for Solomon's military horses or the shelters for a kingdom's beasts and flocks, the word connects the physical act of building with the larger biblical concepts of power, divine blessing, and the responsible stewardship of that abundance.
TRV