There appear to be three descriptions of these buildings in the East. Some are simply places of rest, (by the side of a fountain, if possible,) which, being at proper distances on the road, are thus named, though they are mere naked walls; others have an attendant, who subsists either by some charitable donation, or the benevolence of passengers; and others are more considerable establishments, where families reside to take care of them, and furnish many necessary provisions.
Although written in 1859 by William Rand, this dictionary of the Bible from the American Tract Society is still relevant today.Wikipedia
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