In biblical times, caves were often utilized as hideouts and strongholds by those living outside the bounds of society, including robbers and bandits. The rugged terrain of the ancient Near East, with its numerous caves and rocky outcrops, provided natural refuges for those seeking to evade capture or conduct illicit activities. These natural formations offered concealment and protection, making them ideal for those engaged in criminal enterprises.

The use of caves by robbers is alluded to in several biblical passages. One notable reference is found in the words of Jesus Christ, who, in His denunciation of the corruption within the temple, declared, "My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers" (Matthew 21:13). Here, the term "den of robbers" evokes the imagery of a cave or hideout where thieves gather, underscoring the moral decay and exploitation occurring within the sacred precincts.

The prophet Jeremiah also uses similar imagery when he conveys God's message to the people of Judah: "Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Yes, I too have seen it, declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 7:11). This metaphor highlights the betrayal of trust and the perversion of justice, as the people turned a place meant for worship into a refuge for wrongdoing.

Historically, the region of Judea, with its mountainous landscape, was notorious for banditry. The parable of the Good Samaritan, recounted in Luke 10:30-37, illustrates the dangers of traveling through such areas. Jesus describes a man who "was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers" (Luke 10:30). The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was infamous for its perilous conditions, with caves and rocky terrain providing ample opportunities for ambushes by thieves.

The association of caves with robbers is not limited to the New Testament. In the Old Testament, the account of David provides an example of caves being used as places of refuge and strategic advantage. While David himself was not a robber, he and his men sought shelter in the cave of Adullam when fleeing from King Saul (1 Samuel 22:1-2). This demonstrates the practical use of caves as hideouts, a tactic that would have been employed by outlaws and bandits as well.

The imagery of caves as haunts of robbers serves as a powerful metaphor throughout Scripture, symbolizing the corruption and moral decay that can infiltrate even the most sacred spaces. It reflects the reality of a fallen world where sin and lawlessness often find refuge in the shadows, away from the light of righteousness and justice.Jeremiah 7:11
Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, said the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 21:13
And said to them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... bulk of the people lived in tents or in caves on the ... Hieratic docket to have come
from Naharaim has been used as a proof that the countries were identical; I ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... abandon their possessions to take refuge in caves or in ... Ebed, was, according to this
view, thus used to replace ... And would to God this people were under my hand ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

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