Topical Bible: Valleys: Called: Rough Valleys, when Uncultivated and Barren

◄ Valleys: Called: Rough Valleys, when Uncultivated and Barren ►

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In biblical literature, valleys often serve as significant geographical and symbolic elements. They are frequently depicted as places of both fertility and desolation, depending on their condition and the context in which they are mentioned. When valleys are described as "rough," they are typically uncultivated and barren, representing hardship, desolation, or divine judgment.

Biblical References and Symbolism

1. Symbol of Desolation and Judgment: Rough valleys, characterized by their barrenness, are often used to symbolize desolation and divine judgment. In the prophetic literature, barren valleys can represent the consequences of turning away from God. For instance, the prophet Isaiah speaks of valleys that will be laid waste as a result of the people's disobedience: "Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain" (Isaiah 40:4). This passage, while ultimately pointing to restoration, acknowledges the initial state of desolation.

2. Contrast with Fertile Valleys: The Bible frequently contrasts rough valleys with fertile ones, which are seen as places of abundance and blessing. Fertile valleys are often associated with God's provision and the prosperity of His people. In contrast, rough valleys serve as a reminder of the absence of divine favor and the barrenness that results from spiritual neglect.

3. Historical and Geographical Context: In the ancient Near East, valleys were crucial for agriculture and settlement. A rough, uncultivated valley would have been seen as a missed opportunity for growth and sustenance. The barrenness of such valleys could be due to natural conditions or a lack of human effort to cultivate the land. This physical reality often served as a metaphor for spiritual barrenness in the biblical narrative.

4. Spiritual Lessons: The imagery of rough valleys can also be understood as a call to spiritual renewal. Just as a barren valley can be transformed through cultivation and care, so too can a spiritually desolate life be renewed through repentance and divine intervention. The transformation of rough valleys into places of growth and life is a powerful metaphor for the redemptive work of God in the lives of His people.

5. Prophetic Imagery: Prophets like Ezekiel and Jeremiah use the imagery of valleys to convey messages of both warning and hope. In Ezekiel 37, the "valley of dry bones" is a vivid depiction of spiritual death and the potential for resurrection and renewal through God's power. Although not explicitly described as a "rough valley," the imagery aligns with the concept of barrenness and the need for divine intervention.

In summary, rough valleys in the Bible are emblematic of desolation, judgment, and the absence of divine blessing. They serve as a stark contrast to the fertile valleys of abundance and are used to convey spiritual truths about the consequences of disobedience and the hope of restoration through God's grace.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 21:4
And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer to a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Harbinger
... shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. ... to walk by faith, and frequently
be called to seal ... and more extensive consequences " The valleys shall be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon ii the harbinger.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... parched and rocky, and almost everywhere barren and unhealthy. ... accumulate at the
bottom of the valleys, in lakes ... The Bagradas of Ptolemy, called the Hyperis by ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm