Rocks: Inhabited by Wild Goats
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Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, rocks and mountainous regions are often depicted as habitats for wild goats, symbolizing the rugged and untamed aspects of God's creation. These areas are frequently mentioned in Scripture to illustrate the majesty and complexity of the natural world, as well as to convey spiritual truths.

Biblical References:

One of the most notable references to wild goats inhabiting rocky terrains is found in the Book of Job. In Job 39:1, God challenges Job with a series of questions to demonstrate His sovereignty and the intricacies of His creation: "Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Have you watched the doe bear her fawn?" . This passage highlights the wild goats' natural habitat in the mountains, emphasizing God's intimate knowledge and care for all creatures, even those in remote and inaccessible places.

Psalm 104:18 also mentions wild goats in the context of God's provision for His creation: "The high mountains are for the wild goats; the cliffs are a refuge for the rock badgers" . This verse underscores the idea that God has designed specific environments suited to the needs of different animals, showcasing His wisdom and the orderliness of His creation.

Symbolism and Spiritual Insights:

The imagery of wild goats dwelling among the rocks serves as a powerful metaphor for strength, agility, and resilience. These animals are adept at navigating the treacherous and steep terrains of the mountains, which can be seen as a reflection of the believer's journey through life's challenges. Just as wild goats find refuge and sustenance in the rugged cliffs, Christians are encouraged to find their strength and security in God, who is often referred to as a "rock" or "fortress" in Scripture (e.g., Psalm 18:2).

Furthermore, the presence of wild goats in the Bible can be seen as a reminder of God's provision and care for all His creatures, regardless of their location or status. This serves to reassure believers of God's omnipresence and His ability to meet their needs, even in the most difficult and desolate circumstances.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, wild goats were a common sight in the mountainous regions, such as the Judean wilderness and the cliffs surrounding the Dead Sea. These animals, likely the Nubian ibex, are well-adapted to the harsh, arid environment, and their presence in the biblical narrative would have been familiar to the original audience. The rugged terrain they inhabit is often associated with solitude and refuge, making it a fitting backdrop for the spiritual lessons conveyed through their mention in Scripture.

In summary, the depiction of rocks inhabited by wild goats in the Bible serves as a testament to God's creative power, His provision for all living things, and the spiritual truths that can be gleaned from observing the natural world. Through these references, believers are encouraged to trust in God's care and to find strength in Him amidst the challenges of life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 39:1
Know you the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or can you mark when the hinds do calve?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Nile and Egypt
... 1 View taken from the top of the rocks of Abusir ... These islands were inhabited by
serpents with human voices, sometimes ... The pig and the wild boar, the long-eared ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

The Days of the Week
... grew to think that the wind was inhabited by some ... Thor's hammer, with which he split
the rocks, and melted ... That was the God whom their wild, passionate hearts ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxv the days of.htm

Monos
... notes that had a faint resemblance to a wild chorus of ... strike upon the vaults of
the rocks, and are ... connect mystic ideas with this cave, inhabited by nocturnal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter vi monos.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... [Illustration: 290.jpg A HERD OF WILD GOATS"A BAS ... on the banks of the Lower Araxes
or to the north of Lake Urumiah, in the region formerly inhabited by the ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... "When from the cloven rocks of Italy ... miserable Jews and natives, who contended with
the wild beasts of ... and expects a renovated earth, which is inhabited by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

The First Theban Empire
... to rob me of my cats, my goats, my kine ... Even without fortification, the chain of
granite rocks which crosses ... The Nile here has not the wild and imposing aspect ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... The tribes who inhabited it had been brought early under Chaldaean civilization,
and had ... and one of them, Anu-banini, had engraved on the rocks overhanging the ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

The Memphite Empire
... south to north, bare, sombre, covered with flint-shingle, and siliceous rocks, and
breaking ... droves of camels and asses, flocks of sheep and goats, and swept ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Near Yakhmur some detached rocks appear to have been ... attacks of the pillaging tribes
who inhabited it. ... of elephants still roamed,** and wild beasts, including ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... of old, he felt it a duty to his people to destroy wild beasts, and ... leaving in every
possible place marked traces of his visits"on the rocks of Elephantine ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

Resources
What is shamanism? | GotQuestions.org

Does God have free will? | GotQuestions.org

What is animism? | GotQuestions.org

Rocks: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Rocks

Rocks used as Altars

Rocks used as Places for Idolatrous Worship

Rocks used as Places for Shelter by the Poor in Their Distress

Rocks used as Places of Observation

Rocks used as Places of Safety in Danger

Rocks were a Defence to a Country

Rocks: A Place of Safety

Rocks: Adullam

Rocks: Barren

Rocks: Bees often Made Their Honey Amongst

Rocks: Bozez

Rocks: Casting Down From, a Punishment

Rocks: Christ As a Stumbling Stone to the Wicked

Rocks: Christ As Foundation of his Church

Rocks: Christ As Refuge of his People

Rocks: Christ As Source of Spiritual Gifts

Rocks: Dreaded by Mariners

Rocks: Durable

Rocks: Engedi

Rocks: Etam

Rocks: God As Creator of his People

Rocks: God As Defence of his People

Rocks: God As Refuge of his People

Rocks: God As Salvation of his People

Rocks: God As the Strength of his People

Rocks: God's Power Exhibited in Removing

Rocks: Hammers Used for Breaking

Rocks: Hard

Rocks: Horeb in Rephidim

Rocks: Houses often Built On

Rocks: Important Events often Engraved Upon

Rocks: Inhabited by Conies

Rocks: Inhabited by Doves

Rocks: Inhabited by Eagles

Rocks: Inhabited by Wild Goats

Rocks: Man's Industry in Cutting Through

Rocks: Meribah in Kadesh

Rocks: Miracles Connected With: Broken in Pieces by the Wind

Rocks: Miracles Connected With: Fire Ascended out of

Rocks: Miracles Connected With: Rent at the Death of Christ

Rocks: Miracles Connected With: Water Brought From

Rocks: Often Composed of Flint

Rocks: Often had Holes and Clefts

Rocks: Often Sharp-Pointed and Craggy

Rocks: Oreb

Rocks: Rimmon

Rocks: Selah in the Valley of Salt

Rocks: Selahammahlekoth in the Wilderness of Maon

Rocks: Seneh

Rocks: The Ancestor of a Nation

Rocks: The Olive Tree Flourished Amongst

Rocks: The Shadow of, Grateful to Travellers During the Heat of The

Rocks: Tombs often Hewn out of

Rocks: Whatever we Trust In

Related Terms

Geology

Crags (10 Occurrences)

Clefts (10 Occurrences)

Cliffs (10 Occurrences)

Holes (36 Occurrences)

Trachonitis (1 Occurrence)

Crevices (3 Occurrences)

Caves (17 Occurrences)

Cracks (9 Occurrences)

Rocky (14 Occurrences)

Valleys (38 Occurrences)

Wreck (1 Occurrence)

Terribly (9 Occurrences)

Ragged (1 Occurrence)

Caverns (3 Occurrences)

Cleft (15 Occurrences)

Crag (5 Occurrences)

Arises (21 Occurrences)

Ariseth (20 Occurrences)

Honey (62 Occurrences)

Sponge (3 Occurrences)

Hollows (5 Occurrences)

Joppa (14 Occurrences)

Mightily (36 Occurrences)

Rises (56 Occurrences)

Shake (68 Occurrences)

Majesty (67 Occurrences)

Overhanging (6 Occurrences)

Frost (9 Occurrences)

Flint (12 Occurrences)

Thickets (14 Occurrences)

Trap (35 Occurrences)

Terrify (27 Occurrences)

Ravines (17 Occurrences)

Earth-shock (11 Occurrences)

Marble (5 Occurrences)

Bowmen (13 Occurrences)

Conies (2 Occurrences)

Craggy (1 Occurrence)

Clift

Cliff (11 Occurrences)

Coney (2 Occurrences)

Sand (40 Occurrences)

Shephelah (2 Occurrences)

Shephanim (2 Occurrences)

Shipwreck (3 Occurrences)

Mountains (221 Occurrences)

Tops (37 Occurrences)

Cleaved (36 Occurrences)

Excellency (53 Occurrences)

Arabah (32 Occurrences)

Syria (73 Occurrences)

Cave (40 Occurrences)

Earthquake (17 Occurrences)

Rock (176 Occurrences)

Tremble (92 Occurrences)

Split (36 Occurrences)

Terror (137 Occurrences)

Shaking (162 Occurrences)

Dwells (64 Occurrences)

Parted (67 Occurrences)

Palestine (1 Occurrence)

Shattered (42 Occurrences)

Splendor (87 Occurrences)

Powerful (93 Occurrences)

Botany

Dread (69 Occurrences)

Rent (76 Occurrences)

Jerusalem (782 Occurrences)

Hide (135 Occurrences)

Hid (145 Occurrences)

Quake (23 Occurrences)

Quaked (13 Occurrences)

Vail (44 Occurrences)

Vulture (16 Occurrences)

Variety (1 Occurrence)

Vein (1 Occurrence)

Knotted (3 Occurrences)

Rocks: Inhabited by Eagles
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