Rocks used as Places of Observation
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In the biblical narrative, rocks and high places often serve as strategic locations for observation, offering a vantage point for surveying the surrounding landscape. These natural formations are frequently mentioned in Scripture, highlighting their significance in both practical and symbolic contexts.

Strategic and Military Use

Rocks and elevated terrains were commonly used for military purposes, providing a clear view of enemy movements and the lay of the land. In 1 Samuel 14:4-5, Jonathan and his armor-bearer use a rocky crag to approach the Philistine garrison: "Now there were cliffs on both sides of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost. One was called Bozez and the other Seneh." These rocks served as both a barrier and a strategic point for observation and attack.

Similarly, in Judges 7:1, Gideon and his men camped by the spring of Harod, with the Midianite camp to the north, "by the hill of Moreh in the valley." The elevated position allowed Gideon to observe the enemy forces, contributing to his eventual victory.

Prophetic and Spiritual Significance

Rocks also hold prophetic and spiritual significance in the Bible. In Habakkuk 2:1, the prophet declares, "I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the ramparts; I will watch to see what He will say to me, and how I should answer when corrected." Here, the imagery of standing on a high place symbolizes vigilance and readiness to receive divine revelation.

In the New Testament, Jesus often withdrew to mountains and solitary places for prayer and reflection, as seen in Matthew 14:23: "After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone." These high places provided a physical and spiritual separation from the world, facilitating communion with God.

Symbol of Refuge and Strength

Rocks are frequently depicted as symbols of refuge and strength, offering protection and a place of safety. In Psalm 18:2, David proclaims, "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 metaphorical use underscores the reliability and steadfastness of God as a protector.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, rocks and high places serve as crucial locations for observation, whether for military strategy, prophetic insight, or spiritual retreat. They symbolize strength, refuge, and divine revelation, reflecting the multifaceted role of these natural formations in the biblical landscape.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Exodus 33:21
And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and you shall stand on a rock:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 23:9
For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: see, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Composition and Style
... channel than amidst an obstruction of rocks breaking and ... Also in common places and
in every sort of ... service in perorations, and may be used without restriction ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/composition and style.htm

The Battle of Thermopylae.
... warm springs which here issued from the rocks, and which had been used in former
times ... The Greeks remained quietly in their places, paying apparently no ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ix the battle of.htm

God's Gentle Power
... and there certainly are those in many places who have ... that seems so touching that
the very rocks might weep ... doest thou here, Elijah?" My, and you used to preach ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/gods gentle power.htm

Gambling, Card-Playing
... between the sea and lofty, almost inaccessible rocks." The soil is ... except in small
tracts which are used for fruit ... though it takes one in low places among vile ...
/.../questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/iii gambling card-playing.htm

Epistle Lxi. To Pomponius, Concerning Some virgins.
... is watchfully to be delivered from perilous places, that it may not be broken among
the rocks and cliffs ... and, moreover, the others who had been used to sleep ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxi to pomponius concerning.htm

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
... be ready to perish with hunger among the bare rocks or upon ... humanity in the
bulk"it may be so used if you ... and will deliver them out of all places where they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/the parable of the lost.htm

The Church of Christ
... Some, thank God, that used to open them, now come ... will cease, when God once makes
the places round about ... sands of time, and dash against the rocks of eternity ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the church of christ.htm

Messiah's Innocence vindicated
... do not occur frequently, are evidently used in more ... yet, there will remain a number
of places, the sense ... bottom; the earth trembled greatly; the rocks were rent ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xxiv messiahs innocence vindicated.htm

The Tenses
... did not waste any of them, but diligently used them all ... and made us sit together
in heavenly places in Christ ... it would have been wrecked on the rocks of Scylla ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 47 1901/the tenses.htm

The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth
... its shining, the earth quaked, the rocks rent, the ... And particularly heaven and earth
are used to denote the ... in woods and on mountains, in places underground; or ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon iii the shaking of.htm

Resources
What is Absalom's Monument? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He described His followers as the salt of the earth? | GotQuestions.org

Who were Hymenaeus and Alexander, and what does it mean that their faith was shipwrecked? | 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 used as Places for Shelter by the Poor in Their Distress
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