In biblical literature, the term "heath" is often used to describe a type of shrub or barren land, symbolizing desolation and spiritual barrenness. The word appears in several passages, primarily in the Old Testament, and is typically associated with wilderness or wasteland areas.

Biblical References:

1. Jeremiah 17:6 : "He will be like a shrub in the desert; he will not see when prosperity comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives." In this passage, the "shrub in the desert" is often translated as "heath" in other versions. It serves as a metaphor for a person who trusts in man rather than in God, highlighting the futility and isolation that result from such misplaced trust.

2. Jeremiah 48:6 : "Flee! Run for your lives! Become like a juniper in the desert." Here, the imagery of a juniper or heath in the desert is used to convey urgency and the need for escape from impending judgment. The heath represents a state of vulnerability and exposure, emphasizing the dire circumstances faced by those who are unrepentant.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical symbolism, the heath is often associated with desolation and spiritual dryness. It represents a life that is disconnected from the life-giving presence of God. Just as a heath plant struggles to thrive in arid conditions, so does a person who relies on human strength and wisdom rather than divine guidance. The imagery of the heath underscores the importance of placing one's trust in God, who is the source of true prosperity and spiritual nourishment.

The heath's environment—barren, salty, and uninhabited—serves as a stark contrast to the lush, fertile land that symbolizes God's blessing and favor. This contrast is used to illustrate the consequences of turning away from God and the blessings that come from faithfulness and obedience.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the heath serves as a warning against self-reliance and the dangers of forsaking God. It calls believers to examine their own lives and ensure that their trust is firmly rooted in the Lord. The imagery of the heath challenges individuals to seek spiritual vitality through a relationship with God, rather than relying on the transient and unreliable support of worldly systems.

In summary, the biblical concept of the heath is a powerful metaphor for spiritual desolation and the consequences of misplaced trust. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the blessings that come from living in accordance with His will.Hebrews `arar, (Jeremiah 17:6; 48:6), a species of juniper called by the Arabs by the same name (`arar), the Juniperus sabina or savin. "Its gloomy, stunted appearance, with its scale-like leaves pressed close to its gnarled stem, and cropped close by the wild goats, as it clings to the rocks about Petra, gives great force to the contrast suggested by the prophet, between him that trusteth in man, naked and destitute, and the man that trusteth in the Lord, flourishing as a tree planted by the waters" (Tristram, Natural History of the Bible). 1. (n.) A low shrub (Erica, / Calluna, vulgaris), with minute evergreen leaves, and handsome clusters of pink flowers. It is used in Great Britain for brooms, thatch, beds for the poor, and for heating ovens. It is also called heather, and ling.

2. (n.) Also, any species of the genus Erica, of which several are European, and many more are South African, some of great beauty.

3. (n.) A place overgrown with heath; any cheerless tract of country overgrown with shrubs or coarse herbage.

HEATH

heth.

See TAMARISK.

Heath
... Heath. Heath, George, an Englishman, was born about 1745. He was the pastor of
a Presbyterian Church at Honiton, Devon, in 1770; died in 1822. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/nutter/hymn writers of the church/heath.htm

The Heath in the Desert and the Tree by the River
... THE HEATH IN THE DESERT AND THE TREE BY THE RIVER. 'He shall be like the
heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the heath in the desert.htm

SM Heath. Conflict.
... SUPPLEMENT. 543. SM Heath. Conflict. 1 My soul, be on thy guard; Ten thousand foes
arise; The hosts of sin are pressing hard To draw thee from the skies. ...
/.../book of hymns for public and private devotion/543 s m heath conflict.htm

Letter H
... S. "Received 1821, Located 1835 * Hearne, John R. "Received 1833, Died 1835 *
Hearthcock, Thomas "Received 1805, Located 1810 * Heath, Abel "Received ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter h.htm

A Peasant's Son
... A MONOTONOUS line of sand hills and the sea; a vast barren land stretching away
in wave-like undulations far as eye can reach; marsh and heath and sand, sand ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 1 a peasants son.htm

Christmas Day
... The heath eats up green grass and delicate flowers, The pine eats up the heath,
the grub the pine, The finch the grub, the hawk the silly finch; And man, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/christmas day.htm

Songs from 'the Water-Babies'
... But I lost my poor little doll, dears, As I played in the heath one day; And I cried
for more than a week, dears, But I never could find where she lay. ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/songs from the water-babies.htm

Septuagesima 118. My Soul, be on Thy Guard
... My soul, be on thy guard. SM [448]Heath: Mason and Webb, Cantica Laudis, 1850. George
Heath, 1781. My soul, be on thy guard; Ten thousand foes arise; ...
/.../septuagesima 118 my soul be.htm

"There, Baby!" Said Diamond; "I'M So Happy that I Can Only Sing ...
... The place in which they grew was wild and dry, mostly covered with grass, but having
patches of heath. It extended on every side as far as he could see. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 25 there baby said.htm

George Borrow
... We in Norwich are not likely to forget those magical words put into the mouth of
the gipsy on Mousehold Heath, "There's night and day, brother, both sweet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beeching/george borrow/george borrow.htm

Tamarisk (5 Occurrences)
... of 'eshel to the Arabic 'athl, "the tamarisk." (2) ar`ar (Jeremiah 17:6 margin
(compare Jeremiah 48:6), English Versions of the Bible "heath" (which see)). ...
/t/tamarisk.htm - 10k

Bush (14 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when
good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt ...
/b/bush.htm - 19k

Heath (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A place overgrown with heath; any cheerless tract of country overgrown with
shrubs or coarse herbage. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HEATH. heth. ...
/h/heath.htm - 8k

Kid (42 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) To bring forth a young goat. 7. (n.) A fagot; a bundle of heath and furze.
8. (pp) of Kythe. 9. (vt) See Kiddy, vt. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. KID ...
/k/kid.htm - 20k

Uninhabited (8 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when
good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt ...
/u/uninhabited.htm - 8k

Juniper (7 Occurrences)
... my feet will be full of glory. (See NAS). Jeremiah 48:6 Flee, save your
lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness. (See NAS). ...
/j/juniper.htm - 11k

Whole (2785 Occurrences)
... the vessel is whole. 3. (a.) Possessing, or being in a state of, heath and
soundness; healthy; sound; well. 4. (n.) The entire thing ...
/w/whole.htm - 8k

Stony (8 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when
good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt ...
/s/stony.htm - 9k

Shrub (4 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when
good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt ...
/s/shrub.htm - 8k

Inhabit (29 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when
good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt ...
/i/inhabit.htm - 16k

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