In biblical literature, the term "recesses" often refers to hidden or secluded places, both in a physical and metaphorical sense. These places can be literal, such as caves or inner rooms, or figurative, representing the hidden depths of the human heart or the secret places of God's wisdom and knowledge.

Physical Recesses

1. Caves and Hidden Places: In the Old Testament, recesses are frequently associated with physical locations used for refuge or concealment. For example, David hid in the "recesses of the cave" when fleeing from King Saul (1 Samuel 24:3). This cave, located in the wilderness of En Gedi, provided a strategic hiding place due to its seclusion and natural fortifications.

2. Inner Rooms: The term can also refer to the innermost parts of a building, often used for privacy or security. In 1 Kings 20:30, the Arameans fled to the "inner room" of a city tower for safety during battle. These inner chambers were considered the most secure parts of a structure, offering protection from external threats.

Metaphorical Recesses

1. The Human Heart: Scripture often uses the concept of recesses to describe the hidden depths of the human heart. Jeremiah 17:9 states, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This verse highlights the complexity and hidden nature of human motives and desires, which are known fully only to God.

2. God's Wisdom and Knowledge: The recesses of God's wisdom are depicted as deep and unsearchable. In Romans 11:33, Paul exclaims, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!" This passage emphasizes the vastness and mystery of divine wisdom, which surpasses human understanding.

3. Spiritual Realms: The concept of recesses can also extend to spiritual realms, where unseen battles and divine activities occur. Ephesians 6:12 speaks of the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, suggesting a hidden dimension of spiritual warfare that believers must be aware of and prepared to engage in through prayer and the armor of God.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The notion of recesses carries moral and ethical implications, particularly concerning integrity and transparency. Proverbs 20:27 states, "The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being." This verse underscores the importance of living a life open to God's scrutiny, allowing His light to penetrate the hidden areas of one's life.

Conclusion

In summary, the concept of recesses in the Bible encompasses both physical and metaphorical dimensions, serving as a reminder of the hidden aspects of life that require divine insight and guidance. Whether referring to physical shelters or the depths of the human heart, recesses highlight the need for God's presence and wisdom in navigating the complexities of life.3411. yerekah -- flank, side, extreme parts, recesses
... yerekah. 3412 . flank, side, extreme parts, recesses. Transliteration: yerekah
Phonetic Spelling: (yer-ay-kaw') Short Definition: rear. Word Origin fem. ...
/hebrew/3411.htm - 6k

2714. cheqer -- a searching, a thing (to be) searched out
... Word Origin from chaqar Definition a searching, a thing (to be) searched out NASB
Word Usage depths (1), inquiry (1), inscrutable* (1), recesses (1), search (1 ...
/hebrew/2714.htm - 6k

Divine Things are the More Clearly Manifested to Him who Withdraws ...
... Book VII. Chapter X."Divine Things are the More Clearly Manifested to
Him Who Withdraws into the Recesses of His Heart. 16. And ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter x divine things are the.htm

He Ascended into Heaven, and Sitteth on the Right Hand of the ...
... gates of heaven seemed new to its ministers and princes, they say to one another,
on seeing the nature of flesh penetrating into the secret recesses of heaven ...
/.../31 he ascended into heaven.htm

Then Further it is to be Observed that no Creature Can be Such as ...
... For you must understand that now a temple hath been built within the secret recesses
of a Virgin's womb for Him of Whom erewhile you learnt that He was born ...
/.../8 then further it is.htm

Of Images, and the Ornaments of Temples, and the Contempt in which ...
... "Written law [145] and the divine law of the conscience, and the sacred recesses
of the mind, and the breast imbued with nobleness." [146]. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap iv of images and the.htm

Saint George Releases the Six Champions.
... place her silver wand. Day after day they followed her through all the vast
interminable recesses of her magic cavern. Every day she ...
/.../the seven champions of christendom/chapter two saint george releases.htm

The Rules of Tichonius the Donatist Examined.
... For there are certain mystical rules which hold the key to the secret recesses of
the whole law, and render visible the treasures of truth that are to many ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 30 the rules of tichonius.htm

The Author Himself, However, when Commending These Rules...
... For there are certain mystical rules which hold the key to the secret recesses of
the whole law, and render visible the treasures of truth that are to many ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 43 the author himself.htm

Of the System of the Anchorites and Its Beginning.
... this order we have heard that the originators were those whom we mentioned just
now; viz., Saint Paul [2077] and Antony, men who frequented the recesses of the ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter vi of the system.htm

The Answer that Christ Looks not Only at the Action but Also at ...
... lesson on the virtue of patience and gentleness (ie, teaching us not only to profess
it with our lips, but to store it up in the inmost recesses of the soul ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxii the answer that.htm

A Description of the Desert in Diolcos, Where the Anchorites Live.
... renunciation, and having perfectly overcome all their faults, in order to engage
in most fearful conflicts with devils, penetrate the deepest recesses of the ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxxvi a description of.htm

Recesses (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Recesses (5 Occurrences). ... Job 38:16 "Have you entered into
the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep? ...
/r/recesses.htm - 7k

Furthest (3 Occurrences)
... thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots
have I come up To the height of the mountain, to the recesses of Lebanon, And I ...
/f/furthest.htm - 7k

Recessed (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Recess. 2. (a.) Having a recess or recesses; as, a recessed arch
or wall. 3. (a.) Withdrawn; secluded. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/r/recessed.htm - 7k

Lebanon (66 Occurrences)
... In the recesses of the range wild beasts as of old still abound (2 Kings 14:9; Cant. ...
Throughout this district the mountain recesses are more or less wooded. ...
/l/lebanon.htm - 45k

Cypresses (6 Occurrences)
... thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots
have I come up To the height of the mountain, to the recesses of Lebanon, And I ...
/c/cypresses.htm - 8k

Rechab (13 Occurrences)

/r/rechab.htm - 15k

Gadara
... They are excavated in the limestone rock, and consist of chambers of various dimensions,
some more than 20 feet square, with recesses in the sides for bodies ...
/g/gadara.htm - 12k

Folds (18 Occurrences)
... 24:3 And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in
to cover his feet; and David and his men were abiding in the recesses of the ...
/f/folds.htm - 11k

Dwell (474 Occurrences)
... Dwell deep occurs only in Jeremiah 49:8, and refers to the custom of seeking refuge
from impending danger, in retiring to the recesses of rocks and caverns, or ...
/d/dwell.htm - 42k

Cabins (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Only in Jeremiah 37:16 (RV, "cells"), arched vaults or
recesses off a passage or room; cells for the closer confinement of prisoners. ...
/c/cabins.htm - 6k

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