What does the Bible say about caves?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents caves as places of shelter, hiding, burial, and refuge, while teaching that true safety and hope rest in the Lord rather than in any earthly refuge. God’s people fled to caves under oppression in Judges 6:2 and 1 Samuel 13:6, and David found temporary shelter in a cave while trusting God amid danger in 1 Samuel 24:3. Caves also reveal human fear before God’s judgment, as Isaiah 2:19 describes people hiding from His majesty. Yet the Lord preserves His servants even in hidden places, as Obadiah sheltered prophets in caves during Ahab’s persecution in 1 Kings 18:4. Hebrews 11:38 honors faithful sufferers who wandered in dens and caves, reminding believers that God values faith above worldly security.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
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- Natural Hebrews 11:38
- Artificial Judges 6:2
- Found in the
- Open fields Genesis 23:20
- Rocks Isaiah 2:19
- Were used as
- Dwelling-places Genesis 19:30
- Places of concealment 1 Samuel 13:6; 1 Samuel 14:11; 1 Kings 18:4; Hebrews 11:38
- Resting places 1 Samuel 24:3; 1 Kings 19:9
- Burial places Genesis 23:19; John 11:38
- Haunts of robbers Jeremiah 7:11; Matthew 21:13
- Hiding placed of wild beasts Nahum 2:12
- Often capacious 1 Samuel 22:1; 1 Samuel 22:2; 1 Samuel 24:3
- Afford no protection from the judgments of God Isaiah 2:19; Ezekiel 33:27; Revelation 6:15
- Mentioned in scripture
- Adullam 1 Samuel 22:1
- Engedi 1 Samuel 23:29; 1 Samuel 24:1; 1 Samuel 24:3
- Machpelah Genesis 23:9
- Makkedah John 10:16; John 10:17
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