In Genesis 28:17,22 = BETHEL (which see). In Jgs, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezr, Neh, Ps, etc. (beth ha-'elohim), a designation of the sanctuary = "house of Yahweh" (of the tabernacle, Judges 18:31; 20:18,26 the King James Version; of the temple, 1 Chronicles 9:11; 24:5 the King James Version; 2 Chronicles 5:14; Psalms 42:4; Isaiah 2:3, etc.; of the 2nd temple, Ezra 5:8,15; Nehemiah 6:10; 13:11; compare Matthew 12:4). Spiritually, in the New Testament, the "house of God" (oikos theou) is the church or community of believers (1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 10:21; 1 Peter 4:17; compare 1 Corinthians 3:9,16-17; 1 Peter 2:5).

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

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