In biblical terminology, the term "clift" refers to a cleft or a fissure in a rock or a mountain. It is often used to describe a place of refuge or concealment, symbolizing divine protection and safety. The concept of a clift is most notably associated with the account of Moses and his encounter with God on Mount Sinai.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 33:22 · In this passage, God tells Moses, "When My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by." Here, the clift serves as a protective space where Moses is shielded from the full glory of God, which no man can see and live. This event underscores the holiness and majesty of God, as well as His provision for human frailty.

2. Isaiah 2:21 · The prophet Isaiah speaks of a time when people will "flee to caverns in the rocks and to the clefts in the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth." In this context, the clifts are places of hiding during divine judgment, illustrating the fear and awe inspired by God's power.

3. Song of Solomon 2:14 · The beloved calls out, "O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places of the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely." Here, the clift is a metaphor for intimacy and seclusion, a place where the beloved seeks the presence and beauty of the other.

Symbolism and Themes:

· Divine Protection: The clift is a powerful symbol of God's protection and care for His people. Just as Moses was hidden in the cleft of the rock, believers find refuge in God's presence, shielded from harm and danger.

· Revelation and Concealment: The clift represents the balance between revelation and concealment. While God desires to reveal Himself to humanity, there is a necessary concealment of His full glory to protect human life. This theme is evident in the encounter between God and Moses.

· Judgment and Refuge: In prophetic literature, clifts are often depicted as places of refuge during times of divine judgment. They serve as a reminder of the need for repentance and the security found in seeking God's mercy.

· Intimacy and Solitude: In the Song of Solomon, the clift is a place of intimate encounter, away from the distractions of the world. It symbolizes the deep, personal relationship between the believer and God, characterized by love and devotion.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, rocky landscapes with clefts and caves were common. These natural formations provided shelter and protection for travelers and shepherds. The biblical use of clifts draws on this cultural understanding, using familiar imagery to convey spiritual truths about God's nature and His relationship with His people.

The concept of the clift continues to resonate with believers today, offering a vivid picture of God's unwavering protection and the intimate relationship He desires with each individual.1. (n.) A cliff.

2. (n.) A cleft of crack; a narrow opening.

3. (n.) The fork of the legs; the crotch.

CLEFT; CLIFF; CLIFT

kleft, klif, klift: The first of these words, from cleave, "to split," is a crevice or narrow opening, as "of the ragged rocks" (Isaiah 2:21); "under the clefts of the rocks" (Isaiah 57:5). "Clift" is an obsolete form of cleft, found in the King James Version Exodus 33:22 Isaiah 57:5, but not in the Revised Version (British and American). "Cliff," an abrupt, precipitous, towering rock, is not in the Revised Version (British and American), but is found in the King James Version 2 Chronicles 20:16, the Revised Version (British and American) "ascent," Job 30:6.

CLIFF; CLIFT

See CLEFT.

5366. neqarah -- a hole, crevice
... Word Origin from naqar Definition a hole, crevice NASB Word Usage caverns (1), cleft
(1). cleft, clift. From naqar, a fissure -- cleft, clift. see HEBREW naqar. ...
/hebrew/5366.htm - 6k

5585. saiph -- a cleft, branch
... outmost branch, clift, top. From ca'aph; a fissure (of rocks); also a bough (as
subdivided) -- (outmost) branch, clift, top. see HEBREW ca'aph. 5584, 5585. ...
/hebrew/5585.htm - 6k

Of the Law and a Christian
... go up to receive it through the fire, which made him exceedingly fear and quake:
but when he went to receive it the second time, he was laid in a clift of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/miscellaneous pieces/of the law and a.htm

Of the Trinity and a Christian, and of the Law and a Christian.
... 21). But when he went to receive it the second time, he was laid in a clift
of the rock (Exodus 31:22). 4. From all which I gather ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of the trinity and a.htm

The Mediator's Threefold Prayer
... And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a
clift of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by: 23. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the mediators threefold prayer.htm

In what Manner Moses Saw God.
... [310] Clift--AV Spelunca is one reading in S. Aug., but the Benedictines read specula =
watch-tower, which the context proves to be certainly right. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 16 in what manner moses.htm

On the Words Incarnate, and Made Man.
... Nay more, we produce two witnesses, those who stood before Lord on Mount Sinai:
Moses was in a clift of the rock [1412] , and Elias was once in a clift of the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xii on the words.htm

Psalm CXXXIX.
... speak of God's Face, He said unto him, "Thou canst not see My Face; for no one hath
seen My Face, and lived;" [5723] but I will place thee in a clift of the ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxix.htm

On the Clause, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, with a Reading from ...
... art able. Behold, I will put thee in the clift of the rock [1155] : for as
being little, thou shalt lodge in a little space.'. 8. Now ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture x on the clause.htm

The Consuming Fire.
... But in either case, how much could Moses have understood, if he had seen the face
instead of the back of that form that passed the clift of the rock amidst the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the consuming fire.htm

"Show Me Thy Glory!"
... "Behold there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: and it shall come
to pass, while My Glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxxii show me thy.htm

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

Clift
... opening. 3. (n.) The fork of the legs; the crotch. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CLEFT; CLIFF; CLIFT. kleft ... 30:6. CLIFF; CLIFT. See CLEFT. ...
/c/clift.htm - 7k

Cliff (11 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) See Clef. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CLEFT; CLIFF; CLIFT. ... CLIFF; CLIFT.
See CLEFT. Multi-Version Concordance Cliff (11 Occurrences). ...
/c/cliff.htm - 10k

Cleft (15 Occurrences)
... wood. 8. (n.) A disease in horses; a crack on the band of the pastern. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CLEFT; CLIFF; CLIFT. kleft ...
/c/cleft.htm - 12k

Cliffs (10 Occurrences)

/c/cliffs.htm - 9k

Clifts (2 Occurrences)

/c/clifts.htm - 6k

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