[Greek] ἀποθήκη (apothēkē), [Latin] horreum: storehouse, granary, barn, repository; Mt.3:12, Mt.6:26, Mt.13:30, Lk.3:17, Lk.12:18,24
Horrea (storage house) Epagathiania in Ostia Italy
Background information:
Temple priest: The temple priest received support of offerings from the community in return for his priestly services. The priest also collected the grain (corn). Interestingly, the grain (sitos) was stored in the granary (storehouse) of the temple grounds. Priests (along with civil and state officials) were allowed to partake of the meals in the community (at the public expense). These officials sat beside (para-) the meal (sitos), leading to the original meaning of the later word ‘parasite’.
Greek Hellenism: This term means storage place, storehouse, burial place, refuge, and magazine (place for storing goods). Thucydides’ The Peloponnesian War 6.97 states “The Athenians built a fort to serve as a magazine for their baggage and money.
Old Testament: This term means treasure, storehouse, depository, and magazine. The Lord will open for you His good storehouse (Deu.28:12). He also brought out from there all the treasure of the house of the Lord (2Kgs 24:13). Jonathon was responsible for the storehouses in the country (1Chr.27:25). The produce of the vineyards was stored in the wine cellars (1Chr.27:27). Have the groom out of his room (Joe 2:16).
New Testament: This term means barn and storehouse. John the Baptist states that Jesus will gather His wheat in the barn and burn the chaff. The birds gather nothing in the barn. In the parable of the weeds and wheat, the wheat and weeds will be separated at the harvest (God’s judgment). The wheat will be stored in the barn. In the parable of the rich fool, the one who stores up treasures (in the barn) is foolish and not rich in what matters to God.
Scripture:
“His winnowing fan is in His hand. He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” Mt.3:12
The separation of good and evil is likened to a farmer separating wheat from chaff. The chaff will be burned away.
“Let them growth together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, ‘First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat in My barn.” Mt.13:30
The harvest is God’s judgment. God will separate the wheat and weeds.
“And he said, ‘This is what I shall do; I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods.” Lk.12:18
The rich fool is foolish for storing his earthly treasures. The rich fool is not rich in the ways of God.
Etymology: The Latin horreum was a type of public warehouse during the ancient Roman period, often referred to granaries. The Greek sitos (grain) was often stored in the temple grounds. The temple priest (parasitos—“beside the grain”), was supported by the community in return for his temple services. A magazine was originally a warehouse for storing goods, like military ammunition. By 1868, this term also refers to a cartridge chamber in a rifle. A magazine is also storehouse of articles and stories. An apothecary now refers to a pharmacist or pharmacy.
Conclusion:
Apothecary, parasite, magazine
It was very interesting to discover how the term magazine becomes associated with guns. A magazine is essentially a collection or storage house.
Parasitos (temple priest) was able to eat at the community’s expense in return for his temple services. It is later in time that this term takes on its negative meaning of needing support.
In the Old Testament, it was interesting to discover mention of a magazine of weapons. Apotheke can also refer to treasure.
In the New Testament, wheat is placed in a barn as Jesus will separate the weeds (bad) and wheat (good). Although the wheat and weeds may be indistinguishable, these will be separated at the harvest (judgment). Storing more grain, goods, or treasures in barns is considered foolish. This is not rich in what matters to God.
I hope this post provides you with a large storehouse of interesting information.