Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the concept of "holes" appears in various contexts, often symbolizing places of refuge, hiding, or desolation. The term is used both literally and metaphorically, reflecting the diverse ways in which holes are perceived in biblical narratives.
1.
Literal Holes as Places of Refuge or Hiding: · In the Old Testament, holes are sometimes depicted as places where individuals seek refuge or hide from danger. For instance, during times of war or persecution, people would hide in caves or holes in the ground. In
1 Samuel 13:6, the Israelites, facing the Philistine threat, "hid themselves in caves, thickets, cliffs, strongholds, and in pits." This illustrates the use of natural formations as shelters in times of fear and uncertainty.
2.
Metaphorical Use of Holes: · Holes can also symbolize desolation or emptiness. In
Isaiah 2:19, during the day of the Lord's judgment, people will "go into the caves of the rocks and into the holes of the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and the splendor of His majesty, when He arises to shake the earth." Here, holes represent a futile attempt to escape divine judgment, highlighting the inescapable nature of God's power.
3.
Symbol of Poverty and Need: · The imagery of holes is sometimes used to depict poverty or lack. In
Haggai 1:6, the prophet describes the people's economic struggles: "You have sown much, but bring in little; you eat, but never have enough; you drink, but never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes." This metaphor of a bag with holes conveys the futility and frustration of laboring without reward, emphasizing the need for obedience to God to receive His blessings.
4.
Holes in the Context of Sin and Judgment: · Holes can also be associated with sin and its consequences. In
Jeremiah 2:13, God accuses His people of forsaking Him, "the fountain of living water," and digging "cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water." The image of broken cisterns, akin to holes that cannot retain water, symbolizes the futility of idolatry and the spiritual barrenness that results from turning away from God.
5.
Holes as Part of Creation: · In the broader context of creation, holes in the earth, such as caves and pits, are part of the natural world that God has made. They serve various purposes, from providing habitats for animals to being used by humans for shelter and storage. The presence of holes in the landscape reflects the complexity and diversity of God's creation.
In summary, the concept of holes in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from literal places of hiding and refuge to metaphors for desolation, poverty, and the consequences of sin. These varied uses underscore the richness of biblical imagery and the depth of spiritual truths conveyed through everyday elements of the natural world.
Greek
3692. ope -- an opening, a hole ... Word Origin probably from a prim. root op- (cf. horao) Definition an opening,
a hole NASB Word Usage
holes (1), opening (1). cave, place.
... 5454. pholeos -- a hole, den
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition a hole, den NASB Word Usage holes (2).
hole, den. Of uncertain derivative; a burrow or lurking-place -- hole. ...
Strong's Hebrew
4247. mechillah -- a hole... 4246, 4247. mechillah. 4248 . a hole. Transliteration: mechillah Phonetic
Spelling: (mekh-il-law') Short Definition:
holes. Word
... 5344. naqab -- to pierce
... to pierce. Transliteration: naqab Phonetic Spelling: (naw-kab') Short Definition:
appoint. appoint, blaspheme, bore, curse, express, with holes, name, pierce, ...
699. arubbah -- a lattice, window, sluice
... Feminine participle passive of 'arab (as if for lurking); a lattice; (by implication)
a window, dove-cot (because of the pigeon-holes), chimney (with its ...
8169. Shaalbim -- perhaps "(haunt of) foxes," a city in Dan
... Shaalabbin, Shaalbim. Or Sha.alabbiyn {shah-al-ab-been'}; plural from shuw'al;
fox-holes; Shaalbim or Shaalabbin, a place in Palestine -- Shaalabbin, Shaalbim. ...
1269. Birzoth -- a descendant of Asher
... Birzavith. Probably feminine plural from an unused root (apparently mean to pierce);
holes; Birzoth, an Israelite -- Birzavith (from the marg.). 1268, 1269. ...
2356. chor -- a hole
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a hole NASB Word Usage hole (2),
holes (2), lairs (1), opening (1), sockets (1). cave, hole. ...
5344a. naqab -- to pierce
... root Definition to pierce NASB Word Usage bored (1), designate (1), designated
(6), distinguished (1), holes (1), name (1), pierce (4), pierced (1). ...
Library
Human Generation, and the Work of God Therein Set Forth.
... having its entrance lying close to lofty mountains; and that the house extends a
great way down, far from the entrance, and that it has many holes behind, and ...
Lost Earnings
... XIV Lost Earnings. 'He that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into
a bag with holes.' (Haggai 1:6.). In our Holiness Meetings ...
On the Words of the Gospel, Luke ix. 57, Etc. , Where the Case of ...
... "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath
not where to lay His Head." [3250] But where hath He not? In thy faith. ...
Jesus on Mount Golgotha.
... The executioners dug the holes for the three crosses at the top of this eminence,
and placed those intended for the thieves one on the right and the other on ...
Entole Ib'.
... autais; all' ho diabolos skleros esti kai katakunasteuei auton.2. Ou dunatai, phesi,
katadunasteuein ton doulon tou theou ton ex holes kardias antipalaisai ...
The Writings of Phileas the Martyr Describing the Occurrences at ...
... 8. "Some, also, after these outrages, were placed on the stocks, and had both their
feet stretched over the four [2543] holes, so that they were compelled to ...
Vain Toil
... but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he
that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.'"Haggai 1:6 ...
When Lord Morley Said that the House of Lords must be Either ...
... case I have quoted. Sticks and umbrellas are both stiff rods that go into
holes in a stand in the hall. Kitchens and washhouses ...
How those are to be Admonished who Desire not the Things of Others ...
... Let them hear therefore what is written, He that hath gathered wages hath put them
into a bag with holes (Haggai 1:6). For indeed money put into a bag with ...
Klementos Pros Korinthious B
... en to poiein ha legei kai me parakouein autou ton entolon, kai me monon cheilesin
auton timan, alla ex holes kardias kai ex holes tes dianoias.5. legei de kai ...
Thesaurus
Water-holes (8 Occurrences)Water-
holes. Water-hole, Water-
holes. Watering . Multi-Version
Concordance Water-
holes (8 Occurrences). Genesis 26:15
...Arm-holes (5 Occurrences)
Arm-holes. Armholes, Arm-holes. Armies . Multi-Version Concordance
Arm-holes (5 Occurrences). Exodus 28:12 And the two ...
Holes (36 Occurrences)
...Holes (36 Occurrences). ... Hebrews 11:38 (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering
in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth. ...
Cracks (9 Occurrences)
... saw the danger they were in, (for the people were troubled,) they took cover in
cracks in the hillsides and in the woods and in rocks and holes and hollows. ...
Assur (2 Occurrences)
... From the floor of the parapet small holes were bored vertically downward, so that
the soldiers, without exposing themselves, might discharge their arrows at ...
Sherghat
... From the floor of the parapet small holes were bored vertically downward, so that
the soldiers, without exposing themselves, might discharge their arrows at ...
Foxes (9 Occurrences)
... Matthew 8:20 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky
have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." (WEB KJV WEY ASV ...
Caves (17 Occurrences)
... Caves (17 Occurrences). Hebrews 11:38 (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering
in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth. ...
Asshur (133 Occurrences)
... From the floor of the parapet small holes were bored vertically downward, so that
the soldiers, without exposing themselves, might discharge their arrows at ...
Hollows (5 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:2 And Midian was stronger than Israel; and because of the Midianites, the
children of Israel made holes for themselves in the mountains, and hollows ...
Resources
Does the Bible say anything about the existence of black holes? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God use frustrations in life to awaken and/or punish us (Haggai 1:6, 9)? | GotQuestions.orgDid God create evil? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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