Topical Bible: The Roe: Wild

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "roe" in the Bible typically refers to a small, swift-footed deer, often associated with grace and beauty. In the context of the ancient Near East, the roe is a symbol of natural beauty and agility, frequently mentioned in poetic and romantic passages of Scripture. The roe is a creature that inhabits the wild, often found in the mountainous and forested regions of Israel and its surrounding areas.

Biblical References:

1. Song of Solomon 2:9 · "My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice." In this passage, the beloved is compared to a gazelle or a young stag, highlighting the grace and swiftness of the roe. The imagery evokes a sense of admiration and longing, as the beloved is seen as both beautiful and elusive.

2. Proverbs 5:19 · "A loving doe, a graceful fawn—may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever." Here, the roe is used metaphorically to describe the beauty and allure of a wife, emphasizing the importance of marital love and fidelity. The comparison to a graceful fawn underscores the tenderness and affection that should characterize the marital relationship.

3. 2 Samuel 2:18 · "Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. And Asahel was as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle." Asahel's speed and agility are likened to that of a wild roe, illustrating his prowess and capability in battle. This comparison serves to highlight the natural abilities and strengths that God bestows upon individuals for His purposes.

Symbolism and Cultural Context:

In biblical times, the roe was admired for its elegance and speed, often serving as a symbol of beauty and vitality. The creature's ability to navigate rugged terrain with ease made it a fitting metaphor for swiftness and dexterity. The roe's presence in the wild also signifies freedom and the untamed beauty of God's creation.

The use of the roe in Scripture often carries romantic and affectionate connotations, as seen in the Song of Solomon and Proverbs. These references reflect the cultural appreciation for the natural world and its creatures, as well as the human desire to capture and express the beauty found in God's creation.

Theological Implications:

The imagery of the roe in the Bible serves to remind believers of the beauty and intricacy of God's creation. It also highlights the importance of appreciating and valuing the gifts and attributes that God has given to His creatures, including humans. The roe's grace and agility can inspire believers to pursue spiritual agility and grace in their own lives, striving to navigate the challenges of life with the same elegance and swiftness.

In the context of relationships, the roe symbolizes the beauty and joy found in love and companionship, encouraging believers to cherish and nurture their relationships with the same care and admiration as one would for the graceful roe.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 2:18
And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

There have Come to Me Ransomers from among the Saints, but None ...
... that lion's whelp, who brake and gave me the pillars of Philistia; also that mighty
man of valor Abner son of Ner, took for me that fleet wild roe, Asahel son ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xxxix there have come.htm

A Thought from the Rhine
... of his race Was trenched and walled by busy-handed men; And all his forest-chace
and woodland wild, Wherefrom he fed his young with hare and roe, Were trim ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/a thought from the rhine.htm

On Proverbs. From the Commentary of St. Hippolytus on Proverbs.
... Let her therefore, says he, be with thee, like a roe, to keep all virtue fresh. ... The
"cemphus" [1231] is a kind of wild sea-bird, which has so immoderate an ...
/.../on proverbs from the commentary.htm

How Deceitful the Love of this World Is, and How Amiable God Is.
... Sweetest God, if I leave Thee but a little I am like a young roe which has ... is a great
multitude of people; among them are many that look like wild beasts in a ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter vi how deceitful the.htm

That Evening Vergilius Went to Feast with the Young Herodian ...
... had assured him that a marriage was impossible; but the wild heart of ... There were
oysters, mussels, spondyli, fieldfares with asparagus, roe-ribs, sea-nettles ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 4 that evening vergilius.htm

Isaiah's
... And it shall come to pass, that as the chased roe, and as sheep that no man ... But wild
beasts of the desert shall lie there; And their houses shall be full of ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/x isaiahs.htm

Mosaic Cosmogony.
... man belongs from that of the old extinct elephant, hippopotamus, and hy??na; for
familiar animals, such as the red deer, the roe, the fox, the wild cat, and ...
/.../temple/essays and reviews the education of the world/mosaic cosmogony.htm

On the Words, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all Things visible ...
... God's command was but one, which said, Let the earth bring forth wild beasts, and
cattle, and creeping things ... Roe, Casaubon, which omit me and for alla read kai ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture ix on the words.htm

On Repentance and Remission of Sins, and Concerning the Adversary.
... He was turned into a wild beast [558] , he abode in the wilderness, he was ... Roe and
Casaubon, exhibit a recension of the Lecture differing from the editions. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture ii on repentance and.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... would be, it seems, both unpopular and easily evaded in a wild forest country ... beautiful
little Guazupita, or native deer, a little larger than a roe, with great ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm