In biblical terminology, "fastnesses" refers to places of refuge, strongholds, or fortified locations that provide safety and protection. These are often natural or man-made structures that serve as defensive positions against enemies. The concept of fastnesses is prevalent throughout the Bible, symbolizing both physical and spiritual security.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently mentions fastnesses in the context of military strategy and divine protection. For instance, David, before becoming king, often sought refuge in the wilderness and in strongholds to escape from King Saul. In 1 Samuel 23:14 , it is recorded, "David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not deliver David into his hand." Here, the term "strongholds" can be understood as fastnesses, highlighting the natural fortifications that provided David with safety.

The Psalms also reflect the theme of God as a spiritual fastness. Psalm 18:2 declares, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." This verse uses the imagery of a fortress to describe God's protective nature, emphasizing that true security is found in Him.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not frequently use the term "fastnesses," the concept of spiritual strongholds is evident. The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 10:4 , writes, "The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." Here, "strongholds" refers to spiritual barriers or arguments that oppose the knowledge of God. The passage underscores the power of divine truth to overcome these spiritual fastnesses.

Symbolic and Spiritual Significance

Fastnesses in the Bible symbolize more than just physical protection; they represent the security and refuge found in God. Throughout Scripture, believers are encouraged to seek God as their ultimate stronghold. Proverbs 18:10 states, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." This verse encapsulates the idea that God Himself is the ultimate fastness, offering safety and peace to those who trust in Him.

Historical and Cultural Context

In ancient times, fastnesses were crucial for survival, especially in regions prone to conflict. Cities were often built with walls and fortifications to protect inhabitants from invaders. The Israelites, during their conquest of Canaan, encountered numerous fortified cities, as described in the book of Joshua. These physical fastnesses were essential for defense and played a significant role in the military strategies of the time.

Conclusion

The concept of fastnesses in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for God's protection and the believer's reliance on divine strength. Whether in the form of physical strongholds or spiritual fortresses, fastnesses remind us of the security and refuge found in a relationship with God.

The Servant of the Lord.
... To ride was the third necessary art, introduced, according to Xenophon, after they
had descended from their mountain fastnesses to conquer the whole East. ...
/.../kingsley/lectures delivered in america in 1874/lecture iv the servant of.htm

The Early History of Particular Churches.
... smaller and smaller; and such as remained were at last compelled to take refuge
with their brethren, who had retired to the mountain fastnesses, rather than ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter vii the early history.htm

The Same Subject Continued.
... you will not escape a disorder which you so justly deplore in others; you will be
captured in those windings which have proved fatal fastnesses to women of ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter viii the same subject.htm

The Battle of Life
... insolence of Theodore of Abyssinia was humbled, but I hope they will never hear
the screeching of the ravens who warned us of the mountain fastnesses in which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the battle of life.htm

Appendix ii. Conflation and the So-Called Neutral Text.
... to remove them. But it has not entered within our design to pursue them into
their fastnesses and domiciles. Nevertheless, in compliance ...
/.../appendix ii conflation and the.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... The Philistines overran the country, and chased Saul even to the mountain fastnesses
of Gilboa, where the miserable man, deserted by God, tried to learn his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

Obadiah
... Edom. Her people have been humbled, the high and rocky fastnesses in which
they trusted have not been able to save them. Neighbouring ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/obadiah.htm

More and More
... comfort and delight. When an exile he had made the rocky fastnesses of Adullam
and Engedi resound with the name of Jehovah. In after ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/more and more.htm

Thankful for Anything.
... No, he is talking of the earlier days of his pilgrimage. When he was being
hunted over the Judean fastnesses by King Saul. When ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/thankful for anything.htm

Call for Volunteers.
... for them. They were forced to flee from their farms and take refuge in caves
and dens and the fastnesses among the hills. Then, as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/call for volunteers.htm

Fastnesses (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fastnesses (2 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 22:46 The foreigners
will fade away, and will come trembling out of their close places. (See RSV) ...
/f/fastnesses.htm - 6k

Fastness (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A fast place; a stronghold; a fortress or fort; a secure retreat; a castle;
as, the enemy retired to their fastnesses in the mountains. ...
/f/fastness.htm - 7k

Jericho (59 Occurrences)
... precipice of Quarantania and its numerous caverns, and the spies of Joshua could
easily have fled from the city and been speedily hidden in these fastnesses. ...
/j/jericho.htm - 38k

Deceivableness (1 Occurrence)
... ab'-l-nes, de-sev' (nasha', "to lead astray"): "The pride of thy heart hath deceived
thee" (Jeremiah 49:16), ie "Thy stern mountain fastnesses have persuaded ...
/d/deceivableness.htm - 9k

Deceive (48 Occurrences)
... ab'-l-nes, de-sev' (nasha', "to lead astray"): "The pride of thy heart hath deceived
thee" (Jeremiah 49:16), ie "Thy stern mountain fastnesses have persuaded ...
/d/deceive.htm - 22k

Fasts (3 Occurrences)

/f/fasts.htm - 21k

Territory (140 Occurrences)
... country of Judah is by far the most characteristic part of that tribe's possessions;
it was on account of the shelter of these mountain fastnesses that this ...
/t/territory.htm - 56k

Trachonitis (1 Occurrence)
... That Christianity also made its way into these fastnesses is vouched for by the
ruins of churches. Evil days came with the advent of the Moslems. ...
/t/trachonitis.htm - 13k

Warfare (18 Occurrences)
... matstsabh) were placed in occupation of fortresses and strategical centers (2
Chronicles 17:2). No doubt the caves in the hillsides and rocky fastnesses of the ...
/w/warfare.htm - 34k

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