Comments on Disciple's Diary: In Defense of the Innkeeper

Interesting. Katalumas at ancient Capernaum? Been ...

2008-12-22T15:36:00.000-05:00

Interesting. Katalumas at ancient Capernaum? Been there many, many times and never seen one at the Franciscan excavations. And how can you be sure from the village ruins visible today just south of the synagogue that that's indeed what it was? Of course, as you know, the ruins of ancient Capernaum are by the lakeside, not up in the hills where there might be caves.

Except that the "katalumas" in Kfar Nahum were, ac...

2008-12-22T15:09:00.000-05:00

Except that the "katalumas" in Kfar Nahum were, actually, guest rooms, not for animals at all as you suggest.

And we do know that the 3-room cave was traditional and that people in those days did their "living" in one room... and their cooking, usually, outside, with their animals in another room of the cave, so what was the 3rd room in the cave for if not guests?

Thanks for your insight, Suzanne.

The Greek...

2008-12-22T06:48:00.000-05:00

Thanks for your insight, Suzanne.

The Greek word, kataluma, literally means "a loosing down place." (Cf. kata is Greek for "down" and "luma" comes from the Greek verb luo meaning "I loose," and the "mat" suffix means "result." Hence, a place where "unloosing" or "loosing down" occurred. Most likely the reference was to a place where pack animals were "loosed down" for the night. It came to be associated with a "guest room" because when there was no need to use the kataluma for animals it could double as a "guest room."

Not sure when I'll be guiding a group to Israel again. Had planned to do so this Spring, but the declining dollar has caused me to rethink that. Trip just too expensive for most Americans these days. Soon, I hope.

Christmas Blessings,

R. Wayne Stacy

About that "inn" - most likely, it was N...

2008-12-22T06:28:00.000-05:00

About that "inn" - most likely, it was NOT a separate building at all, but the third room in the cave dwelling of a relative. Look up the word "kataluma" (not sure I've spelled it correctly) which translates to "guest room".

As Bethlehem is on a hilltop, it's probable that the homes were actually 3-room caves dug out of the soft limestone hill, which included one "living room" for the family; one "kataluma" for visitors; and one room for the animals... So try this on for something completely different:

"Hey cousin Moshe, any chance you have room in your kataluma for me & Miriam while we are in Beit Lechem?" "Sorry Yosef, but the kataluma is full of other relatives here for this dang-ed census. The room for the animals is warm and clean, though, if you don't mind bedding down on the straw!"

Guess all my Christian shopkeeper friends in Beit Lechem will have to start making little 3-room caves instead of the traditional stables out of olive wood! But since soft white Jerusalem limestone is actually easier to get than olive wood, I'd guess they'll do alright with it... as long as the Christian tourists get the message!

When will you next head over this way?

suzanne pomeranz
licensed tour guide, Jerusalem, Israel
(formerly of Sanford, NC and former Baptist)

Comments on Disciple's Diary: In Defense of the Innkeeper

Interesting. Katalumas at ancient Capernaum? Been ...

Except that the "katalumas" in Kfar Nahum were, ac...

Thanks for your insight, Suzanne.The Greek...

About that "inn" - most likely, it was N...

Thanks for your insight, Suzanne.

The Greek...