Topical Bible: Roes

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Definition and Description:
Roes, often referred to in the context of biblical literature, are small, graceful deer known for their swiftness and agility. The term "roe" is used in the Bible to describe these animals, which are emblematic of beauty and speed. In the Hebrew language, the word for roe is "tzvi" (צְבִי), which can also be translated as "gazelle" in some contexts. These creatures are native to the regions of the Middle East, including the land of Israel, and are frequently mentioned in biblical poetry and metaphor.

Biblical References:
Roes are mentioned several times in the Bible, often symbolizing beauty, grace, and swiftness. One of the most notable references is found in the Song of Solomon, where the beloved is compared to a roe:

· Song of Solomon 2:9 : "My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice."

This verse highlights the elegance and desirability of the beloved, drawing a parallel to the roe's graceful movements and appearance.

Another significant mention is in the context of swiftness and speed:

· 2 Samuel 2:18 : "The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. And Asahel was as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle."

Here, Asahel's speed is likened to that of a roe, emphasizing his agility and quickness in battle.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance:
In biblical times, roes were admired for their physical attributes and were often used as symbols of beauty and agility. Their presence in the scriptures serves to convey messages of love, admiration, and the pursuit of excellence. The imagery of a roe is used to evoke a sense of admiration and to illustrate the qualities of swiftness and grace.

The roe's habitat in the rugged terrains and open fields of the Middle East also contributes to its symbolic representation of freedom and natural beauty. In the biblical narrative, these animals are often associated with pastoral scenes and the idyllic landscapes of ancient Israel.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the use of roes in scripture can be seen as a reflection of God's creation, showcasing the diversity and splendor of the natural world. The attributes of the roe, such as its speed and grace, can be interpreted as manifestations of divine craftsmanship, pointing to the Creator's attention to detail and the inherent beauty found in all living creatures.

In the context of biblical allegory, the roe's characteristics may also serve as a metaphor for the believer's pursuit of spiritual goals, encouraging swiftness in following God's commandments and grace in interactions with others. The imagery of the roe thus enriches the biblical text, offering layers of meaning that resonate with the faithful.
Library
Thy Two Breasts are Like Two Young Roes that are Twins.
... CHAPTER VII. 3. Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.
It would be a small matter for the Spouse to bear children ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/3 thy two breasts are.htm
Thy Two Breasts are Like Two Young Roes that are Twins, Which ...
... CHAPTER IV. 5. Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which,
feed among the lilies. The Spouse here receives facility ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/5 thy two breasts are.htm
I Charge You, O Ye Daughters of Jerusalem, by the Roes and the ...
... CHAPTER III. 5. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and the hinds
of the fields, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till she please. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/5 i charge you o.htm
Charge You, O Ye Daughters of Jerusalem, by the Roes and by the ...
... CHAPTER II. 7. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and by the
hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love till she please. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/7 i charge you o.htm
An Exhausting Day
... an honest man, instantly mounting his horse, galloped before us, up hill and down,
till he brought us into a road which, he said, led straight to Roes Fair. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/the journal of john wesley/an exhausting day.htm
Song of Songs of Solomon
... 7. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and by the hinds of the
field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love till she please. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/
Chapter ii.
... hand doth embrace me.6. His left hand is under my head and his right hand shall
embrace me.7. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter ii.htm
Chapter iii.
... him go until I bring him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that
conceived me.5. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter iii.htm
The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... and prepared meat for my father. I seized upon the roes in the chase, and
all that was in the plains I outran. A wild mare I outran ...
/.../iv the testament of judah concerning.htm
The King.
... whose faces," according to the vivid description of the chronicler (1 Chronicles
12:8), "were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as roes upon the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm
Thesaurus
Roes (12 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Roes (12 Occurrences). ... (See JPS YLT). 2 Samuel 22:34 He
makes my feet like roes' feet, and puts me on high places. (BBE). ...
/r/roes.htm - 9k
Gad (78 Occurrences)
... they were "strong men of might, men of war for the battle, that could handle shield
and buckler, their faces the faces of lions, and like roes upon the ...
/g/gad.htm - 49k
Awaken (10 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/a/awaken.htm - 9k
Adjure (16 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/a/adjure.htm - 11k
Adjured (11 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Song of Songs 2:7 I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes
or by the hinds of the field, Stir not up nor wake the love till she please! ...
/a/adjured.htm - 10k
Arouse (24 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Song of Songs 2:7 I say to you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes
of the field, do not let love be moved till it is ready. (See NAS NIV). ...
/a/arouse.htm - 12k
Hinds (7 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/h/hinds.htm - 8k
Deer (15 Occurrences)
... and American) without comment, ie 2 Samuel 2:18: "Asahel was as light of foot as
a wild roe," and 1 Chronicles 12:8: "were as swift as the roes upon the ...
/d/deer.htm - 17k
Wake (34 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/w/wake.htm - 17k
Stir (57 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/s/stir.htm - 25k
Resources
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Concordance
Roes (12 Occurrences)
2 Samuel 2:18
And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
(See JPS YLT)
2 Samuel 22:34
He makes my feet like roes' feet, and puts me on high places.
(BBE)
1 Kings 4:23
Ten fat oxen and twenty oxen from the fields, and a hundred sheep, in addition to harts and gazelles and roes and fat fowls.
(BBE)
1 Chronicles 12:8
Of the Gadites there separated themselves to David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes on the mountains;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT)
Job 39:1
Have you knowledge of the rock-goats? or do you see the roes giving birth to their young?
(BBE)
Psalms 18:33
He makes my feet like roes' feet, and puts me on high places.
(BBE)
Psalms 29:9
At the voice of the Lord the roes give birth, the leaves are taken from the trees: in his Temple everything says, Glory.
(BBE)
Song of Songs 2:7
I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT)
Song of Songs 3:5
I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT)
Song of Songs 4:5
Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.
(KJV BBE WBS)
Song of Songs 7:3
Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.
(KJV BBE WBS)
Habakkuk 3:19
The Lord God is my strength, and he makes my feet like roes' feet, guiding me on my high places. For the chief music-maker on corded instruments.
(BBE)
Subtopics
Roes
Related Terms
Rogel (4 Occurrences)
Roes (12 Occurrences)
Meal (288 Occurrences)