Lexical Summary minharah: Cave, den Original Word: מִנְהָרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance den From nahar; properly, a channel or fissure, i.e. (by implication) a cavern -- den. see HEBREW nahar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nahar Definition perhaps a cave, stronghold NASB Translation dens (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מִנְהָרָה] noun feminine dub., only plural הַמִּנְהָרוֺת אֲשֶׁר בֶּהָרִים Judges 6:2 (+ הַמְּעָרוֺת caves, הַמְּצָדוֺת strong-hold) — (clearly, si vera lectio, from a check נהר, but with what meaning? SchuJob 49 compare Arabic  ,  [which means a place hollowed out by water], and rend. crevices, ravines, so Thes and others; Ra Ki WetzstHauran, 46 think of caves with a light-opening; R. Levi ben Gerson beacons, i.e. towers for fire-signals, GFM; but II. נהר late in Hebrew; ᵐ5 τρυμαλίας, ᵑ9 antra; Bu thinks הַמְּעָרוֺת a gloss explaining ׳הַמִּנ). Topical Lexicon Definition and Setting מִנְהָרָה describes concealed underground chambers—cut, enlarged, or adapted in rocky hillsides—used for refuge and storage. The one biblical occurrence (Judges 6:2) shows the term in the plural, indicating numerous such hideouts. Historical Background in Judges During the era of the Judges, raiding bands of Midian, Amalek, and “the people of the East” crossed the Jordan annually to strip Israel of produce and livestock (Judges 6:3-5). In response, “the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds” (Judges 6:2). The presence of מִנְהָרוֹת confirms that Israel resorted to lengthy, pre-planned excavation rather than temporary flight. These shelters illustrate both the relentlessness of Midianite oppression and the desperation of an apostate nation now suffering covenant discipline (Leviticus 26:17). Archaeological and Geographical Considerations Karstic limestone in central and northern Israel lends itself to tunneling. Archaeologists have uncovered Iron-Age cavities with narrow entrances and wider interior chambers—ideal for concealing families, grain, and farm tools. Some systems extend under agricultural terraces, enabling occupants to exit unseen and resume work when raiders withdrew. Such engineering skill contrasts sharply with the spiritual poverty of the period: material ingenuity could not substitute for covenant faithfulness. Theological Themes 1. Chastening and Mercy מִנְהָרָה testifies to divine chastening (Hebrews 12:5-6) yet also to mercy; God allowed Israel places of survival while preparing Gideon’s deliverance (Judges 6:14-16). 2. Refuge and Deliverance Scripture often portrays God Himself as a rock and hiding place (Psalm 32:7; Psalm 46:1). The man-made refuge of Judges 6:2 points to humanity’s instinct for safety, ultimately fulfilled only in the Lord. 3. Faith’s Emergence from Fear Gideon began in fear, threshing wheat in a winepress; Israel crouched in מִנְהָרוֹת. Yet out of those depths God raised a judge whose obedience turned national humiliation into victory (Judges 7:19-22). The episode exemplifies 1 Corinthians 1:27—God choosing the weak to shame the strong. Related Biblical Imagery • 1 Samuel 13:6 records Israelites hiding in “caves, thickets, rocks, cellars, and cisterns” under Philistine threat. Ministerial Applications • Pastoral Care: Oppressed believers may identify with Israel’s subterranean existence. The text encourages leaders to call them out of survival-mode and into faith-obedience, as the Angel of the LORD did with Gideon. • Intercession: מִנְהָרָה scenes invite prayer for persecuted Christians who literally or figuratively worship underground today (Philippians 1:19). • Discipleship: While prudent preparation has value, lasting security is found in the “high tower” of the Name of the LORD (Proverbs 18:10). Christological and Eschatological Reflections Gideon’s summons from the hidden place foreshadows the greater Deliverer who left the secrecy of Nazareth (Matthew 2:23) to liberate His people. At His return, unrepentant nations will again flee “into caves of the rocks” (Revelation 6:15-17), proving that man-made refuges cannot shelter from divine judgment. The redeemed, however, will dwell “in the shelter of the Most High” (Psalm 91:1). Forms and Transliterations הַמִּנְהָרוֹת֙ המנהרות ham·min·hā·rō·wṯ hamminharOt hamminhārōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 6:2 HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֶת־ הַמִּנְהָרוֹת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בֶּֽהָרִ֔ים NAS: made for themselves the dens which KJV: made them the dens which [are] in the mountains, INT: the sons of Israel the dens which the mountains 1 Occurrence |
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