In the biblical narrative, hiding-places are often depicted as locations of refuge, protection, and divine intervention. These places serve as physical and symbolic shelters for individuals seeking safety from danger, persecution, or divine judgment. The concept of hiding-places is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both human vulnerability and God's providential care.

Old Testament

1. Noah's Ark: One of the earliest examples of a hiding-place is Noah's Ark. In Genesis 7, God instructs Noah to build an ark to preserve his family and pairs of every living creature from the impending flood. The ark becomes a sanctuary amidst divine judgment, symbolizing God's provision and protection for the righteous.

2. Caves and Wilderness: Caves and wilderness areas frequently serve as hiding-places for those fleeing danger. David, before becoming king, often sought refuge in such places while escaping from King Saul. In 1 Samuel 22:1, David hides in the cave of Adullam, and in 1 Samuel 24:3, he finds shelter in the wilderness of En Gedi. These locations underscore the theme of divine protection and guidance during times of distress.

3. Rahab's House: In Joshua 2, Rahab hides the Israelite spies on her roof under stalks of flax. Her house, situated on the city wall of Jericho, becomes a hiding-place that ultimately leads to her salvation and inclusion in the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:5).

4. Prophets in Hiding: Prophets often found themselves in hiding due to persecution. Elijah, for instance, hides by the brook Cherith as commanded by God in 1 Kings 17:3-4. This hiding-place becomes a site of divine provision, as ravens bring him food.

New Testament

1. Jesus' Early Life: The New Testament recounts the flight of Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod's massacre of the innocents (Matthew 2:13-15). Egypt serves as a temporary hiding-place, fulfilling the prophecy, "Out of Egypt I called My Son" (Hosea 11:1).

2. Jesus' Withdrawals: Throughout His ministry, Jesus occasionally withdrew to solitary places to pray and avoid premature confrontation with authorities. In Luke 5:16, it is noted, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." These moments of withdrawal highlight the importance of spiritual refuge and communion with the Father.

3. The Upper Room: After the resurrection, the disciples gather in the upper room, a place of seclusion and prayer, as they await the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:13-14). This hiding-place becomes a site of empowerment and transformation for the early Church.

Symbolic and Spiritual Hiding-places

1. God as a Refuge: The Psalms frequently describe God Himself as a hiding-place. Psalm 32:7 declares, "You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance." This imagery conveys the idea of God as the ultimate source of safety and deliverance.

2. Christ as a Hiding-place: In the New Testament, Christ is portrayed as the believer's refuge. Colossians 3:3 states, "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." This spiritual hiding-place signifies the believer's security and identity in Christ.

Hiding-places in the Bible serve as powerful reminders of God's protection and faithfulness. Whether physical locations or spiritual truths, they underscore the assurance that God provides refuge for His people in times of need.4565. mistar -- a secret place, hiding place
... Word Origin from sathar Definition a secret place, hiding place NASB Word Usage
concealment (1), hiding place (1), hiding places (4), secret (2), secret places ...
/hebrew/4565.htm - 6k

4224b. machabo -- a hiding place
... a hiding place. Transliteration: machabo Short Definition: places. Word Origin from
chaba Definition a hiding place NASB Word Usage hiding places (1). ...
/hebrew/4224b.htm - 5k

The Barbarian Desolation
... These sectaries, encouraged by the widespread anarchy, came out of their
hiding-places and shewed themselves more insolent and aggressive than ever. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iii the barbarian desolation.htm

Nor have I Undertaken that in the Present Discourse...
... 25. Nor have I undertaken that in the present discourse, as it more pertains to
thee, who hast laid open the hiding-places of the Priscillianists, so far as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 25 nor have i.htm

His Conversion
... But he was not the person to be balked, and he resolved to hunt up the objects of
his hatred even in their most obscure and distant hiding-places. ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter iii his conversion.htm

The Thirty Years' War. AD 1618-1650.
... In many parts of Germany spots are still pointed out where the peasantry made
hiding-places for themselves in the woods, while their few possessions were ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/chapter viii the thirty years.htm

Of the Production of the Beasts and of Man.
... the swiftness of their flight, or those which require at once both strength and
swiftness may protect themselves by craft, or guard themselves in hiding-places ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap ii of the production of.htm

Simeon
... So obscure, so devout: while the great ones sin, they pray; while the popular priests
lead in worldliness, they retire into God's hiding-places to intercede. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/simeon.htm

A Great Deal for Me to Read Hast Thou Sent...
... latent heretics. But I am not persuaded that it is right to unearth them
out of their hiding places by our telling lies. For to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 1 a great deal.htm

Matt. I. 1
... Thou wilt see the hiding places, and the dens of the robber, broken up now,
and laid open, for even there also was our King present. [77]. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily ii matt i 1.htm

Epistle Liii. To Cornelius, Concerning Granting Peace to the ...
... Then, besides"if, having forsaken everything that he has, a man shall flee, and
dwelling in hiding-places and in solitude, shall fall by chance among thieves ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle liii to cornelius concerning.htm

The Crucifixion.
... in the subterranean recesses of the city, and that no less than two thousand of
them were buried alive under the ruins of these hiding-places"Wars vi.9.4 ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiii the crucifixion.htm

Hiding-places (2 Occurrences)
Hiding-places. Hiding-place, Hiding-places. Hie . Multi-Version
Concordance Hiding-places (2 Occurrences). 1 Samuel ...
/h/hiding-places.htm - 7k

Hiding (53 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 23:23 And see and know of all the hiding-places where he hideth himself,
and ye have turned back unto me prepared, and I have gone with you, and it ...
/h/hiding.htm - 21k

Hiding-place (7 Occurrences)
Hiding-place. Hiding, Hiding-place. Hiding-places . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(ASV DBY JPS WBS YLT). Hiding, Hiding-place. Hiding-places . Reference Bible
/h/hiding-place.htm - 8k

Lovely (19 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Song of Songs 2:14 My dove in the clefts of the rock, In the
hidingplaces of the mountainside, Let me see your face. ...
/l/lovely.htm - 13k

Mountainside (6 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Song of Songs 2:14 My dove in the clefts of the rock, In the
hidingplaces of the mountainside, Let me see your face. ...
/m/mountainside.htm - 7k

Clefts (10 Occurrences)
... (See JPS WBS YLT). Song of Songs 2:14 My dove in the clefts of the rock, In
the hidingplaces of the mountainside, Let me see your face. ...
/c/clefts.htm - 9k

Searched (71 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 23:23 And see and know of all the hiding-places where he hideth himself,
and ye have turned back unto me prepared, and I have gone with you, and it ...
/s/searched.htm - 27k

Area (66 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 23:23 And see and know of all the hiding-places where he hideth himself,
and ye have turned back unto me prepared, and I have gone with you, and it ...
/a/area.htm - 26k

Hie (1 Occurrence)

/h/hie.htm - 6k

Dove (27 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV). Song of Songs 2:14 My dove in the clefts
of the rock, In the hidingplaces of the mountainside, Let me see your face. ...
/d/dove.htm - 28k

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