In biblical times, coves were natural formations along coastlines, often serving as sheltered inlets or small bays. These geographical features are mentioned in the context of maritime activities, providing safe harbor for ships and facilitating trade and travel. The Bible, while not extensively detailing coves, alludes to them in various passages, highlighting their significance in the ancient world.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 27:39-40 · In the account of Paul's journey to Rome, a cove plays a crucial role. The passage describes how, after a violent storm, the sailors aboard Paul's ship sought to run the vessel aground on a beach. "When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could." . This bay, or cove, provided a potential place of refuge and safety amidst the perilous conditions at sea.

2. Ezekiel 27:3-4 · While not directly mentioning coves, this passage speaks to the city of Tyre, a prominent maritime power. "You say, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’ Your borders are in the heart of the seas; your builders perfected your beauty." . Tyre's location and its harbors, likely including coves, were integral to its status as a hub of commerce and trade.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near East, coves were vital for maritime navigation and commerce. They provided natural protection from the open sea, allowing ships to anchor safely and facilitating the loading and unloading of goods. Coastal cities often developed around these inlets, leveraging their strategic advantages for economic and military purposes.

The Mediterranean Sea, with its rugged coastlines, is dotted with numerous coves that have been used since antiquity. These natural harbors were essential for the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans, who were renowned for their seafaring capabilities. In biblical narratives, the presence of coves underscores the importance of maritime travel and the interconnectedness of different regions through trade.

Symbolic and Theological Implications:

Coves, as places of refuge and safety, can be seen as symbolic of God's protection and provision. Just as sailors sought the shelter of a cove during storms, believers find solace and security in God's presence amidst life's tempests. The imagery of a safe harbor resonates with themes of divine care and guidance throughout Scripture.

Furthermore, the use of coves in biblical narratives highlights the sovereignty of God over creation. The natural world, with its intricate design and purpose, serves as a testament to God's wisdom and power. The strategic placement of coves along trade routes and their role in biblical events reflect the divine orchestration of history and geography.

In summary, while coves are not a central theme in the Bible, their presence in the text provides insight into the maritime culture of the ancient world and serves as a metaphor for divine protection and guidance.

(And Last): Homeward Bound
... dark to see houses, palm-trees, aught but the ragged outline of the hills against
the northern sky, and beneath, sparks of light in sheltered coves, some of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xvii and last homeward.htm

Monos
... It is their exquisite little land-locked southern coves"places to live
and die in". 'The world forgetting, by the world forgot.'. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter vi monos.htm

Outward Bound
... The upper outline of the hills reminded me, with its multitudinous little coves
and dry gullies, of the Vivarais or Auvergne Hills; and still more of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter i outward bound.htm

The Northern Mountains
... Then we emerged upon a beach, the very perfection of typical tropic shore, with
little rocky coves, from one to another of which we had to ride through rolling ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xi the northern mountains.htm

Coves (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Coves (1 Occurrence). Judges 5:17 Gilead lived
beyond the Jordan. Why did Dan remain in ships? Asher sat ...
/c/coves.htm - 6k

Covet (14 Occurrences)

/c/covet.htm - 12k

Cover-up (1 Occurrence)
Cover-up. Coverts, Cover-up. Coves . Multi-Version Concordance Cover-up
(1 Occurrence). ... Coverts, Cover-up. Coves . Reference Bible.
/c/cover-up.htm - 6k

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