In biblical times, the concept of a "roost" is closely associated with birds and their natural behavior of resting or settling in a place for the night. While the term "roost" itself is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the imagery of birds and their nesting or resting habits is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, often used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths and divine principles.

Biblical Imagery and Symbolism

1. Protection and Refuge: Birds finding a place to roost often symbolize safety and protection. In Psalm 91:4 , the psalmist writes, "He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart." This verse uses the imagery of a bird's wings to depict God's protective nature, suggesting that just as birds find security in their roosts, believers find safety under God's care.

2. Divine Provision: The Bible frequently uses birds to illustrate God's provision. In Matthew 6:26 , Jesus teaches, "Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Here, the natural behavior of birds, including their roosting, serves as a reminder of God's provision for all His creation, encouraging believers to trust in His care.

3. Rest and Peace: The act of roosting can also symbolize rest and peace. In the context of the Sabbath and spiritual rest, the Bible emphasizes the importance of finding rest in God. Hebrews 4:9-10 states, "There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His." This rest is akin to the peace and security a bird experiences when it finds a suitable roost.

4. Judgment and Desolation: Conversely, the absence of a place to roost can symbolize judgment or desolation. In Isaiah 34:11 , the prophet describes the desolation of Edom, saying, "The desert owl and screech owl will possess it; the great owl and the raven will dwell in it. The LORD will stretch out over Edom the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of destruction." The presence of birds in a desolate land, finding places to roost amidst ruins, underscores the completeness of God's judgment.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, birds were a common part of daily life, and their behaviors were well-observed by the people. The roosting of birds, particularly in the evening, was a familiar sight and provided a natural metaphor for various aspects of life and faith. The biblical authors, inspired by the Holy Spirit, utilized these natural phenomena to communicate deeper spiritual truths to their audience.

Theological Implications

The imagery of roosting birds in the Bible serves to remind believers of God's sovereignty, care, and provision. It encourages trust in God's protection and provision, while also warning of the consequences of turning away from Him. The metaphor of roosting invites believers to find their ultimate rest and security in God, much like a bird finds safety in its roost.1. (n.) Roast.

2. (v. t.) See Roust.

3. (n.) The pole or other support on which fowls rest at night; a perch.

4. (n.) A collection of fowls roosting together.

5. (v. i.) To sit, rest, or sleep, as fowls on a pole, limb of a tree, etc.; to perch.

6. (v. i.) Fig.; To lodge; to rest; to sleep.

Of the Infirmity of the Flesh, and Similar Pleas.
... trumps up the "necessity" for marrying,"promising itself, forsooth, heavenly things
in return"to lord it, (namely,) in another's family; to roost [380] on ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter iv of the infirmity of.htm

David Appointing Solomon
... Thus, as ever, his evil deeds came home to roost, and the poisonous seed which he
had sown grew up and waved, a bitter harvest, which he had to reap. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/david appointing solomon.htm

The Card Parties
... At the close of such gatherings, a chicken-roast was generally in order, and the
fowl used was usually taken from some hen-roost not far distant. ...
/.../byrum/how john became a man/chapter v the card parties.htm

When Appius Told his Mother and his Sister what Augustus had Said ...
... "Know you the Isle of Doom?" said he. "Ay, 'tis a lonely heap of rocks.". "A roost
of sea-birds," said the prince of Judea. "Know you who am I?". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 19 when appius told.htm

The Twofold Wrestle --God's with Jacob and Jacob's with God
... the morrow? Was He not trying to teach him how crime always comes home
to roost, with a brood of pains running behind it? Was not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the twofold wrestlegods with jacob.htm

"Am Ia Sea, or a Whale?"
... make merry all the day, for "they count it one of the wisest things to drive dull
care away"; but dull care, like the chickens, comes home to roost at night. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/am i a sea or.htm

The Naturalness of Prayer
... things in the world. It is the effectuation of all Nature, which comes home
to roost there, and settles to its rest. It is the last ...
/.../forsyth/the soul of prayer/chapter ii the naturalness of.htm

The Great Assize
... it will be for the malicious man to have for ever to gnaw his own envious heart,
to find his malice come home to him, as birds come home to roost, to hoot for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the great assize.htm

The Wandering Bird
... You have wandered from your nest. And do you mean to wander on? Is yours
to be forever the flight of a bird that hath no roost? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the wandering bird.htm

The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus
... so much as John. He is a ringleader in all vice. If there is a hen roost
to be robbed, Jack's your man. If there is any iniquity ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the conversion of saul of.htm

Roost (4 Occurrences)
... to perch. 6. (vi) Fig.; To lodge; to rest; to sleep. Multi-Version Concordance
Roost (4 Occurrences). Matthew 13:32 which is less ...
/r/roost.htm - 8k

Perch (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A pole; a long staff; a rod; esp., a pole or other support for fowls to
roost on or to rest on; a roost; figuratively, any elevated resting place or ...
/p/perch.htm - 8k

Rooster (13 Occurrences)

/r/rooster.htm - 10k

Grows (46 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:19 It is like a mustard seed which a man drops into the soil in his garden,
and it grows and becomes a tree in whose branches the birds roost." (WEY). ...
/g/grows.htm - 19k

Roomy (2 Occurrences)

/r/roomy.htm - 7k

Drops (27 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:19 It is like a mustard seed which a man drops into the soil in his garden,
and it grows and becomes a tree in whose branches the birds roost." (WEY). ...
/d/drops.htm - 14k

Mounts (11 Occurrences)
... Mark 4:32 and when it has been sown, mounts up and becomes greater than all herbs,
and produces great branches, so that the birds of heaven can roost under its ...
/m/mounts.htm - 9k

Produces (27 Occurrences)
... Mark 4:32 and when it has been sown, mounts up and becomes greater than all herbs,
and produces great branches, so that the birds of heaven can roost under its ...
/p/produces.htm - 13k

Becomes (138 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:19 It is like a mustard seed which a man drops into the soil in his garden,
and it grows and becomes a tree in whose branches the birds roost." (WEY). ...
/b/becomes.htm - 34k

Soil (59 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:19 It is like a mustard seed which a man drops into the soil in his garden,
and it grows and becomes a tree in whose branches the birds roost." (WEY). ...
/s/soil.htm - 23k

Should there be hierarchy in the family? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Assyria in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Roost: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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