In the Bible, the concept of shelter is both literal and metaphorical, representing physical protection and spiritual refuge. The term is often associated with God's provision and care for His people, as well as the human need for safety and security.

Old Testament References

1. Physical Shelter: In the Old Testament, shelter is frequently mentioned in the context of God's provision for His people. For instance, during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, God provided them with a cloud by day and fire by night, offering both guidance and protection (Exodus 13:21-22). The tabernacle, a portable earthly dwelling place for God, also served as a physical and spiritual shelter for the Israelites (Exodus 25:8-9).

2. Metaphorical Shelter: The Psalms often use the imagery of shelter to describe God's protection. Psalm 91:1-2 states, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" Here, the psalmist emphasizes trust in God as a source of ultimate security.

3. Cities of Refuge: The concept of cities of refuge in Numbers 35:9-15 provided a literal place of safety for those who accidentally committed manslaughter. These cities were a form of shelter from the avenger of blood, illustrating God's provision of justice and mercy.

New Testament References

1. Jesus as Shelter: In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is often depicted as a spiritual shelter for believers. In Matthew 11:28-30 , Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest, offering Himself as a refuge from the burdens of life.

2. The Church as Shelter: The early Christian community is portrayed as a place of refuge and support for believers. Acts 2:44-47 describes the early church as a community where believers shared everything in common, providing for each other's needs and offering a form of social and spiritual shelter.

3. Eternal Shelter: Revelation 21:3-4 speaks of the ultimate shelter in the new heaven and new earth, where God will dwell with His people, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. This vision of eternal shelter underscores the hope of ultimate security and peace in God's presence.

Theological Significance

Theologically, shelter in the Bible signifies God's protective nature and His desire to provide for His people. It reflects the human need for security and the assurance that God is a reliable refuge in times of trouble. The imagery of shelter is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the peace that comes from trusting in Him. Throughout Scripture, the theme of shelter encourages believers to seek refuge in God, who is described as a strong tower and a safe haven for those who trust in Him (Proverbs 18:10).1. (n.) That which covers or defends from injury or annoyance; a protection; a screen.

2. (n.) One who protects; a guardian; a defender.

3. (n.) The state of being covered and protected; protection; security.

4. (v. t.) To be a shelter for; to provide with a shelter; to cover from injury or annoyance; to shield; to protect.

5. (v. t.) To screen or cover from notice; to disguise.

6. (v. t.) To betake to cover, or to a safe place; -- used reflexively.

7. (v. i.) To take shelter.

5295. hupotrecho -- to run in under
... to run in under. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hupotrecho Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-ot-rekh'-o) Short Definition: I run under shelter of Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5295.htm - 6k

5284. hupopleo -- to sail under (ie under the lee of)
... Word Origin from hupo and pleo Definition to sail under (ie under the lee of) NASB
Word Usage sailed under (2), sailed under the shelter (2). sail under. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5284.htm - 6k

3794. ochuroma -- a stronghold, fortress
... walled fortress (), used only in 2 Cor 10:4. Here 3794 ("a heavily-fortified
containment") is used figuratively of a in which a person seeks "shelter" ("a safe ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3794.htm - 7k

4268. machaseh -- refuge, shelter
... refuge, shelter. Transliteration: machaseh or machseh Phonetic Spelling:
(makh-as-eh') Short Definition: refuge. ... hope, place of refuge, shelter, trust. ...
/hebrew/4268.htm - 6k

5643b. sithrah -- shelter, protection
... shelter, protection. Transliteration: sithrah Short Definition: place. Word Origin
from sathar Definition shelter, protection NASB Word Usage hiding place (1). ...
/hebrew/5643b.htm - 5k

4563. mistor -- place of shelter
... 4562, 4563. mistor. 4564 . place of shelter. Transliteration: mistor
Phonetic Spelling: (mis-tore') Short Definition: protection. ...
/hebrew/4563.htm - 6k

2622. chasuth -- refuge
... 2621, 2622. chasuth. 2623 . refuge. Transliteration: chasuth Phonetic Spelling:
(khaw-sooth') Short Definition: shelter. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/2622.htm - 6k

2620. chasah -- to seek refuge
... root Definition to seek refuge NASB Word Usage has a refuge (1), seek refuge (3),
seek shelter (1), sought refuge (1), take refuge (25), taken refuge (3 ...
/hebrew/2620.htm - 6k

5521. sukkah -- a thicket, booth
... a thicket, booth NASB Word Usage booth (1), Booths (9), booths (8), canopies (1),
canopy (1), hut (1), lair (1), pavilion (1), shelter (4), temporary shelters ...
/hebrew/5521.htm - 6k

5526a. sakak -- to overshadow, screen, cover
... 2), covered (4), covering (3), covers (1), incite (1), made a covering (1), relieve*
(1), relieving* (1), screen (1), screened off (1), shelter (1), spurs (1). ...
/hebrew/5526a.htm - 5k

6738. tsel -- a shadow
... Word Origin from tsalal Definition a shadow NASB Word Usage protection (4), shade
(15), shadow (30), shadows (3), shelter (1). defense, shadow. ...
/hebrew/6738.htm - 6k

5643a. sether -- a covering, hiding place, secrecy
... secrecy NASB Word Usage backbiting (1), covert (1), disguises* (1), hidden part
(1), hiding place (6), secret (9), secret place (5), secretly (8), shelter (3). ...
/hebrew/5643a.htm - 5k

A Shelter in the Time of Storm. LM
... 377 A Shelter in the Time of Storm. LM. Divine Refuge. The Lord's our Rock,
in him we hide, A shelter in the time of storm; Secure ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/377 a shelter in the.htm

Of the Authority under which those Shelter Themselves who Object ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XVI. Of the authority under which those shelter themselves
who object to stripping themselves of their goods. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvi of the authority.htm

The Revised Missionary Motto.
... But they were few, and young, and unknown. And the task was stupendous. The
rain-storm of a Sabbath afternoon drove them to the shelter of a hay-stack. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the revised missionary motto.htm

Psalm CXXXIX.
... [5725] "And whither shall I flee from Thy Face?" He seeketh a place whither to flee
from the wrath of God. What place will shelter God's runaway? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxix.htm

When travelling lately through the Simplon
... He might be young or old, prince or noble, priest or prophet, he was exposed every
moment to death, unless he availed himself of the offered shelter. ...
/.../the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/i when travelling lately through.htm

The Rock of Castello.
... laid waste," they would retire with their wives and little ones up to this rocky
citadel, which the God of nature seemed to have reared as a shelter for His ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/the rock of castello.htm

The Mustard Seed
... Unlike other herbs, the mustard in Eastern climates does grow into a tree, shoot
out great branches from the main stem, and give shelter to the birds of the air ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 4 30-34 the mustard seed.htm

Under his Shadow.
... Weary was the way, and great was the heat; our lips were parched, and our souls
were fainting; we sought for shelter, and we found none; for we were in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/under his shadow.htm

The Sheltering Wing
... Now, the main idea in this image is, as I have suggested, that of the expanded pinion,
beneath the shelter of which the callow young lie, and are guarded. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the sheltering wing.htm

Hid in Light
... of His wing'; where the divine love is softened into the likeness of the maternal
instinct which leads a hen to gather her chickens beneath the shelter of her ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/hid in light.htm

Shelter (36 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To be a shelter for; to provide with a shelter; to cover from injury
or annoyance; to shield; to protect. ... 7. (vi) To take shelter. ...
/s/shelter.htm - 17k

Lodge (64 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A shelter in which one may rest; as:
(a) A shed; a rude cabin; a hut; as, an Indian's lodge. 2 ...
/l/lodge.htm - 29k

Phoenix (2 Occurrences)
... for Italy (Puteoli or Ostia) by the shortest route, round Cape Malea, but off Cnidus
it encountered a Northwest wind and had to sail for shelter under the lee ...
/p/phoenix.htm - 12k

Haven (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A bay, recess, or inlet of the sea, or the mouth of a river, which
affords anchorage and shelter for shipping; a harbor; a port. ...
/h/haven.htm - 11k

Pavilion (11 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A temporary movable shelter; a large tent; a marquee; esp., a tent raised
on posts. ... 8. (vt) To furnish or cover with, or shelter in, a tent or tents. ...
/p/pavilion.htm - 12k

Camp (222 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The ground or spot on which tents, huts, etc.,
are erected for shelter, as for an army or for lumbermen, etc. ...
/c/camp.htm - 41k

Cover (254 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To brood or sit on; to incubate. 6. (vt) To shelter, as from evil or danger;
to protect; to defend; as, the cavalry covered the retreat. ...
/c/cover.htm - 40k

Shadow (72 Occurrences)
... See Shade. 2. (n.) Darkness; shade; obscurity. 3. (n.) A shaded place; shelter;
protection; security. ... 12. (n.) To protect; to shelter from danger; to shroud. ...
/s/shadow.htm - 35k

Shroud (6 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A covered place used as a retreat or shelter, as a cave or den; also, a
vault or crypt. ... 10. (vi) To take shelter or harbor. 11. (vt) To lop. ...
/s/shroud.htm - 9k

Shade (67 Occurrences)
... or shelters from, light or the direct rays of the sun; hence, also, that which protects
from heat or currents of air; a screen; protection; shelter; cover; as ...
/s/shade.htm - 31k

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