Jump to: ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the term "den" is often used to describe a lair or hiding place, typically associated with wild animals or as a place of refuge or concealment for humans. The concept of a den appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, symbolizing both physical and spiritual realities.Old Testament References 1. Animal Dens: The most literal use of "den" in the Bible refers to the natural habitats of wild animals. In the book of Job, the den is depicted as a place where lions dwell: "The lion roars in the thicket, and the young lions growl in their dens" (Job 38:39-40). This imagery underscores the den as a place of security and rest for creatures of the wild. 2. Human Habitation and Refuge: Dens also serve as places of refuge for humans, particularly in times of danger or distress. In the book of Judges, the Israelites made dens in the mountains to hide from the Midianites: "The Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds" (Judges 6:2). This reflects the use of natural formations as protective shelters during periods of oppression. 3. Symbol of Wickedness: The den is sometimes used metaphorically to describe places of iniquity or evil. In Jeremiah, God condemns the temple in Jerusalem, saying, "Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight?" (Jeremiah 7:11). Here, the den symbolizes corruption and moral decay, contrasting with its intended purpose as a place of worship. New Testament References 1. Den of Robbers: Jesus echoes the words of Jeremiah when He cleanses the temple, driving out those who were buying and selling: "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers'" (Matthew 21:13). This act highlights the den as a symbol of exploitation and the perversion of sacred spaces. 2. Foxes and Dens: In the Gospels, Jesus uses the imagery of dens to illustrate the cost of discipleship and the transient nature of His ministry: "Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head" (Matthew 8:20). This statement emphasizes the lack of earthly security and comfort in following Christ. Theological Implications The concept of a den in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol. It represents safety and rest for animals, a refuge for humans in times of peril, and a metaphor for sin and corruption when associated with human actions. The use of "den" in both literal and figurative senses underscores the broader biblical themes of protection, judgment, and the call to righteousness. In a spiritual context, the den can be seen as a reminder of the need for discernment in seeking refuge—whether physical or spiritual—and the importance of maintaining the sanctity of places dedicated to God. The transformation of a place of safety into a "den of robbers" serves as a caution against allowing worldly practices to corrupt what is holy. Easton's Bible Dictionary A lair of wild beasts (Psalm 10:9; 104:22; Job 37:8); the hole of a venomous reptile (Isaiah 11:8); a recess for secrecy "in dens and caves of the earth" (Hebrews 11:38); a resort of thieves (Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17). Daniel was cast into "the den of lions" (Dan. 6:16, 17). Some recent discoveries among the ruins of Babylon have brought to light the fact that the practice of punishing offenders against the law by throwing them into a den of lions was common. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A small cavern or hollow place in the side of a hill, or among rocks; esp., a cave used by a wild beast for shelter or concealment; as, a lion's den; a den of robbers.2. (n.) A squalid place of resort; a wretched dwelling place; a haunt; as, a den of vice. 3. (n.) Any snug or close retreat where one goes to be alone. 4. (n.) A narrow glen; a ravine; a dell. 5. (v. i.) To live in, or as in, a den. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia DEN(ma`on, me`onah, "habitation"; me`arah, and spelaion, "cave"; me'urah (Isaiah 11:8), "a light-hole," from 'or, "light," perhaps for me`arah; cokh (Psalm 10:9 the King James Version), and cukkah (Job 38:40), "a covert," elsewhere "booth"; 'erebh (Job 37:8), "covert," as in the Revised Version (British and American); gobh; compare Arabic jubb, "pit" (Daniel 6:7); minharoth, "fissure" or "cleft" (Judges 6:2)): In the limestone mountains of Palestine caves, large and small, are abundant, the calcium carbonate, of which the rock is mainly composed, being dissolved by the water as it trickles over them or through their crevices. Even on the plains, by a similar process, pits or "lime sinks" are formed, which are sometimes used by the Arabs for storing straw or grain. Of this sort may have been the pit, bor, into which Joseph was cast by his brethren (Genesis 37:20). Caves and crevices and sometimes spaces among piled-up boulders at the foot of a cliff or in a stream bed are used as dens by jackals, wolves and other wild animals. Even the people, for longer or shorter periods, have lived as troglodytes. Compare Judges 6:2: "Because of Midian the children of Israel made them the dens (minharoth) which are in the mountains, and the caves (me`arah), and the strongholds (metsadh)." The precipitous sides of the valleys contain many caves converted by a little labor into human habitations. Notable instances are the valley of the Kidron near Mar-Saba, and Wadi-ul-Chamam near the Sea of Tiberias. See CAVE. Greek 5454. pholeos -- a hole, den ... a hole, den. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: pholeos Phonetic Spelling: (fo-leh-os') Short Definition: a burrow, hole Definition: a burrow, hole ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5454.htm - 6k 4693. spelaion -- a cave 1847. exoudeneo -- to despise, treat with contempt 3367. medeis, medemia, meden -- no one, nothing 3762. oudeis and outheis, oudemia, ouden and outhen -- no one ... 2927. kruptos -- hidden 1186. dendron -- a tree Strong's Hebrew 1358. gob -- a pit, den... 1357, 1358. gob. 1359 . a pit, den. Transliteration: gob Phonetic Spelling: (gobe) Short Definition: den. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding ... /hebrew/1358.htm - 6k 4583. maon -- dwelling, habitation 3975. muwrah -- a hole for light 4631. mearah -- a cave 4585. meonah -- habitation 695. ereb -- a lying in wait, a covert, lair 3975a. meurah -- a hole for light 4492. minharah -- perhaps a cave, stronghold 5520. sok -- a thicket, covert, lair 643. appeden -- a palace Library In the Lions' Den Nun Bitten Wir Den Heiligen Geist. Now Pray we all God, the ... Daniel in the Lions' Den Jesus Christus Unser Heiland. Christ, who Freed Our Souls from ... Christ Lag in Todesbanden. Christ was Laid in Death's Strong Bands ... How Josephus was Discovered by a Woman, and was Willing to Deliver ... Faith Stopping the Mouths of Lions Gambling, Card-Playing Articuli Arminiani Sive Remonstrantia. Daniel and the Lions. Thesaurus A'den (1 Occurrence)A'den. Addus, A'den. Adequacy . Multi-Version Concordance A'den (1 Occurrence). Luke 19:46 saying to them, "It is written ... /a/a'den.htm - 6k Den (19 Occurrences) Robbers (21 Occurrences) Thieves (25 Occurrences) Bel (3 Occurrences) Lions (50 Occurrences) Dragon (20 Occurrences) Messenger (235 Occurrences) Written (323 Occurrences) Overpowered (12 Occurrences) Resources What does it mean that the house of prayer had been turned into a den of thieves? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should we learn from the account of Daniel in the lions' den? | GotQuestions.org What is Bel and the Dragon? | GotQuestions.org Den: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Den (19 Occurrences)Matthew 21:13 Mark 11:17 Luke 19:46 Job 37:8 Psalms 10:9 Isaiah 11:8 Jeremiah 7:11 Jeremiah 9:11 Jeremiah 10:22 Daniel 6:7 Daniel 6:12 Daniel 6:16 Daniel 6:17 Daniel 6:19 Daniel 6:20 Daniel 6:23 Daniel 6:24 Amos 3:4 Nahum 2:11 Subtopics Related Terms |
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