In biblical literature, "dens" often refer to natural or man-made caves and shelters used by humans and animals. These structures are mentioned throughout the Bible, serving as places of refuge, habitation, or concealment. The concept of dens is rich with symbolic and literal significance, reflecting themes of protection, hiding, and sometimes danger.

Old Testament References

1. Caves as Dens: In the Old Testament, dens are frequently associated with caves. For instance, Lot and his daughters sought refuge in a cave after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:30). Similarly, David hid in the cave of Adullam when fleeing from King Saul (1 Samuel 22:1). These instances highlight the use of dens as places of safety and seclusion.

2. Dens of Wild Animals: Dens are also depicted as the lairs of wild animals. In the poetic and prophetic literature, dens symbolize danger and desolation. For example, in Job 37:8, it is noted, "The wild animals enter their lairs; they settle down in their dens." This imagery underscores the natural order and the instinctual behavior of animals seeking shelter.

3. Symbol of Judgment and Fear: Dens can symbolize judgment and fear. In Isaiah 2:19, during the day of the Lord's judgment, people are described as fleeing "into caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth." Here, dens represent a futile attempt to escape divine judgment.

New Testament References

1. Jesus and Dens: In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of dens to convey spiritual truths. In Matthew 8:20, Jesus states, "Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head." This highlights the transient and humble nature of Jesus' earthly ministry, contrasting the security animals find in their dens with His own lack of a permanent home.

2. Dens of Thieves: Jesus also refers to the temple as a "den of robbers" in Matthew 21:13, quoting Jeremiah 7:11. This denunciation criticizes the corruption and exploitation occurring within the temple, turning a place meant for worship into a refuge for wrongdoing.

Symbolic Interpretations

In a broader symbolic sense, dens can represent the human condition of seeking refuge and security, whether from physical danger or spiritual turmoil. They can also illustrate the contrast between earthly shelters and the ultimate refuge found in God. The Bible often uses the imagery of dens to remind believers of the temporary nature of earthly protection and the eternal security offered by faith in God.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, dens in the Bible can be seen as metaphors for the human soul's search for safety and rest. They remind believers of the importance of seeking refuge in God rather than relying solely on worldly shelters. The use of dens in Scripture encourages a reliance on divine protection and guidance, emphasizing the need for spiritual vigilance and trust in God's providence.4492. minharah -- perhaps a cave, stronghold
... 4491, 4492. minharah. 4493 . perhaps a cave, stronghold. Transliteration: minharah
Phonetic Spelling: (min-haw-raw') Short Definition: dens. ...
/hebrew/4492.htm - 6k

4585. meonah -- habitation
... 4584, 4585. meonah or meonah. 4586 . habitation. Transliteration: meonah or
meonah Phonetic Spelling: (meh-o-naw') Short Definition: dens. Word Origin fem. ...
/hebrew/4585.htm - 6k

Come, Ye Saints, who Disciplined Yourselves in Mountains and Caves ...
... Piece XLII. Come, ye saints, who disciplined yourselves in mountains and caves
and dens of the earth? Come, ye saints, who disciplined ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/piece xlii come ye saints.htm

Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
... But what shall we say of those dens and caves in rocks and mountains, whence no
gain seemed to be digged, but rather danger arose to the neighbouring places ...
/.../from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 99 subterraneous places mines.htm

As He is Going to Reply to the Slanders of his Opponents He ...
... their blasphemy has brought on them, and purify with the fan of Thy sacred cleansing
the souls that are plunged in stinking mud, so that the "dens of thieves ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter i as he is.htm

Come from Lebanon, My Spouse, Come from Lebanon, Come; Thou Shalt ...
... 8. Come from Lebanon, my Spouse, come from Lebanon, come; Thou shalt be crowned
from the top of Amana, from the peak of Shenir and Hermon, from the dens of the ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/8 come from lebanon my.htm

How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews ...
... about Saul observed how numerous the Philistines were, they were under a great
consternation; and some of them hid themselves in caves and in dens under ground ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how the philistines.htm

Chapter iv.
... 8. Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon; look from the top
of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions dens, from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter iv.htm

Hebrews xi. 37, 38
... goat-skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented (of whom this [3337] world was
not worthy); wandering in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens, and caves of ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxviii hebrews xi 37.htm

St. Ambrose Exhorts Parents to Train their Children to virginity.. ...
... Thou shalt pass and pass through from the beginning of faith, from the top of Sanir
and Hermon, from the dens of the lions, from the mountains of the leopards ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vii st ambrose exhorts.htm

The Joy of Unbroken Communion
... From the lions' dens,. ... What are lions' dens when the Lion of the tribe of Judah
is with us; or mountains of leopards, when He is at our side! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/union and communion/section iii the joy of.htm

Effectual Calling
... We might as well expect converts from St. Giles's, or the lowest parts of London,
from the worst and vilest dens of infamy, as from Jericho in those days. Ah! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/effectual calling.htm

Dens (10 Occurrences)
...Dens (10 Occurrences). Hebrews 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered
in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. ...
/d/dens.htm - 9k

Den (19 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/d/den.htm - 16k

Lairs (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lairs (2 Occurrences). Job 37:8 Then the animals
take cover, and remain in their dens. (See RSV). Nahum ...
/l/lairs.htm - 6k

Lair (8 Occurrences)
... Job 37:8 And the wild beast goeth into its lair, and they remain in their dens. ... Job
38:40 when they crouch in their dens, and lie in wait in the thicket? ...
/l/lair.htm - 8k

Crouch (7 Occurrences)
... Job 38:40 when they crouch in their dens, and lie in wait in the thicket? ... Psalms
104:22 The sun riseth, they are gathered, And in their dens they crouch. (YLT). ...
/c/crouch.htm - 8k

Covert (18 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Job 37:8 Then the beasts go into coverts, and remain in their dens. ... Job
38:40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait? ...
/c/covert.htm - 12k

Caves (17 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:2 The hand of Midian prevailed against Israel; and because of Midian the
children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and the ...
/c/caves.htm - 11k

Strongholds (44 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:2 The hand of Midian prevailed against Israel; and because of Midian the
children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and the ...
/s/strongholds.htm - 19k

Dense (11 Occurrences)

/d/dense.htm - 9k

Couch (55 Occurrences)
... Job 38:40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
(KJV JPS ASV WBS). Psalms 6:6 I am weary with my groaning. ...
/c/couch.htm - 25k

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