Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.
In the modern sense, unknown in the East. The khans or caravanserais, which correspond to the European inn, are not alluded to in the Old Testament. The "inn" mentioned in Ex. 4:24 was just the halting-place of the caravan. In later times khans were erected for the accommodation of travellers. In Lk. 2:7 the word there so rendered denotes a place for loosing the beasts of their burdens. It is rendered "guest-chamber" in Mk. 14:14 and Lk. 22:11. In Lk. 10:34 the word so rendered is different. That inn had an "inn-keeper," who attended to the wants of travellers.