Granary

Originally corn was kept in subterranean storehouses, and even in caverns; but in progress of time granaries were erected, both in Egypt and Palestine. In the former country granaries were often of an extensive character. They were laid out in a very regular manner, and varied of course in plan as much as the houses, to which there is every reason to believe they were frequently attached, even in the towns; and they were sometimes only separated from the house by an avenue of trees (Wilkinson, Anc. Egypt. abridgment, 1:13). They had vaulted roofs, and complete arrangements for depositing and removing the grain. Dr. Robinson, when visiting Huj, a village not far from Gaza, says, "Here were several subterranean magazines for grain, like cisterns, with a mouth like a well, such as we have seen in several villages" (Bib. Res. 2:385). The peasantry in the East generally prefer these subterranean storehouses, not so much for the preservation of the corn as for the greater security against marauding parties, while erected barns are generally confined to more populous districts (De 28:8; Pr 3:10; Ge 41:35; Ex 1:11; 1Ch 27:25; Lu 12:18). SEE GARNER.