In biblical literature, the term "haunts" often refers to places frequented by individuals or groups, typically with a negative connotation. These locations are associated with desolation, danger, or spiritual darkness. The concept of haunts is used metaphorically to describe areas inhabited by wild animals, evil spirits, or places of idolatry and sin.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently uses the imagery of haunts to depict desolate and forsaken places. In Isaiah 13:21-22 , the prophet describes the aftermath of divine judgment on Babylon: "But desert creatures will lie there, and their houses will be full of owls; ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about. Hyenas will howl in their fortresses, and jackals in their luxurious palaces. Her time is at hand, and her days will not be prolonged." Here, the haunts are depicted as the dwelling places of wild animals, symbolizing the complete desolation and abandonment of the once-great city.

Similarly, in Jeremiah 50:39 , the prophet speaks of Babylon's downfall: "So the desert creatures and hyenas will live there, and the ostriches will dwell there. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation." The imagery of haunts underscores the totality of God's judgment, rendering the city uninhabitable and forsaken.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of haunts is less prevalent but still present in the context of spiritual warfare and demonic activity. In Revelation 18:2 , the fall of Babylon the Great is proclaimed: "And he cried out in a mighty voice: 'Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.'" This passage uses the imagery of haunts to describe a place overrun by evil, emphasizing the spiritual corruption and moral decay of the city.

Theological Implications

The use of haunts in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. These desolate places are often depicted as the result of divine judgment, illustrating the separation from God's presence and the resulting spiritual barrenness. The imagery of haunts also serves as a warning to the faithful, reminding them of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of remaining steadfast in their devotion to God.

In a broader theological context, haunts can be seen as a representation of the spiritual battle between good and evil. The desolation and darkness associated with these places highlight the need for redemption and the hope of restoration through Christ. As believers, the call is to avoid the spiritual haunts of sin and to seek refuge in the light and life offered by a relationship with God.

The Demoniac of Gadara
... individual guilt. And the places where the shadow of sin has fallen heaviest
are always the haunts of direst wretchedness. The first ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 5 1-20 the demoniac of.htm

The Heart with the Treasure.
... This: that what is with the treasure must fare as the treasure; that the heart which
haunts the treasure-house where the moth and rust corrupt, will be exposed ...
/.../macdonald/unspoken sermons/the heart with the treasure.htm

The Memories of Home. [A]
... In the light of memory their faded forms are vividly brought back to view; they
see each other as when they rambled over their childhood haunts; and the echo ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxvii the memories of.htm

The Allies of the Tempter.
... city? These manifold allurements, these haunts of infamy and shambles of
destruction"I see them standing upon strange foundations. ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse vi the allies of.htm

Under King John
... Hugh also was tempted over seas by the hope of visiting his old haunts, which he
felt must be done now or never, for health and eyesight were failing him, and ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter ix under king john.htm

His Schools and Schoolmasters.
... cave. The career of David could not be unfamiliar to a youth who was within
easy reach of the haunts of the shepherd-psalmist. And ...
/.../meyer/john the baptist/iii his schools and schoolmasters.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... He destroyed Arka in the Lebanon and the surrounding strongholds, which were the
haunts of robbers who lurked in the mountains; then turning to the northeast ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

Introduction
... Where cross the crowded ways of life Where sound the cries of race and clan, In
haunts of wretchedness and need, On shadowed threshold dark with fears, And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/introduction.htm

The Transformation of Rome from a Pagan into a Christian City.
... That is certainly a noble picture which represents the new faith as searching among
the haunts of poverty and slavery, seeking to inspire faith, hope, and ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter i the transformation of.htm

Change not Always Improvement.
... Such licence was granted to the secret haunts of Lydia, [46] that Hercules was
prostituted in the person of Omphale, and Omphale in that of Hercules. ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter iv change not always improvement.htm

Haunts (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Haunts (3 Occurrences). Psalms 74:20 Honor your covenant,
for haunts of violence fill the dark places of the earth. (WEB NIV). ...
/h/haunts.htm - 7k

Haunt (11 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A place to which one frequently resorts; as, drinking saloons are
the haunts of tipplers; a den is the haunt of wild beasts. ...
/h/haunt.htm - 11k

Hauran (2 Occurrences)

/h/hauran.htm - 11k

Kenites (8 Occurrences)
... They accompanied them in their march as far as Jericho (Judges 1:16), and then returned
to their old haunts among the Amalekites, in the desert to the south of ...
/k/kenites.htm - 13k

Wolf (4 Occurrences)
... swifter than leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves." Babylon and
Edom (Isaiah 13:22; Isaiah 34:14 Jeremiah 50:39) are to be the haunts of 'iyim ...
/w/wolf.htm - 13k

Wild (147 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Living in a state of nature; inhabiting natural haunts, as the forest
or open field; not familiar with, or not easily approached by, man; not ...
/w/wild.htm - 50k

Dove (27 Occurrences)
... time. It was especially marked in Palestine, because doves migrated, but
pigeons remained in their chosen haunts all the year. Yet ...
/d/dove.htm - 28k

Shunem (3 Occurrences)
... Kings 4. Elisha's home was in Samaria. Apparently Carmel was one of his
favorite haunts. If he passed Shunem "continually" (2 Kings ...
/s/shunem.htm - 10k

Stork (6 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah alludes to this (Jeremiah 8:7). At the appointed time they return with
unerring sagacity to their old haunts, and re-occupy their old nests. ...
/s/stork.htm - 14k

Sparrow (4 Occurrences)
... one comes around a house at migration, but once settled to the business of living
they are the last and most infrequent bird to appear near the haunts of man. ...
/s/sparrow.htm - 13k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus