cave Summary and Overview

There are numerous natural caves among the limestone rocks of Syria, many of which have been artificially enlarged for various purposes. The first notice of a cave occurs in the history of Lot (Gen. 19:30). The next we read of is the cave of Machpelah (q.v.), which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth (Gen. 25:9, 10). It was the burying-place of Sarah and of Abraham himself, also of Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob (Gen. 49:31; 50:13). The cave of Makkedah, into which the five Amorite kings retired after their defeat by Joshua (10:16, 27). The cave of Adullam (q.v.), an immense natural cavern, where David hid himself from Saul (1 Sam. 22:1, 2). The cave of Engedi (q.v.), now called 'Ain Jidy, i.e., the "Fountain of the Kid", where David cut off the skirt of Saul's robe (24:4). Here he also found a shelter for himself and his followers to the number of 600 (23:29; 24:1). "On all sides the country is full of caverns which might serve as lurking-places for David and his men, as they do for outlaws at the present day." The cave in which Obadiah hid the prophets (1 Kings 18:4) was probably in the north, but it cannot be identified. The cave of Elijah (1 Kings 19:9), and the "cleft" of Moses on Horeb (Ex. 33:22), cannot be determined. In the time of Gideon the Israelites took refuge from the Midianites in dens and caves, such as abounded in the mountain regions of Manasseh (Judg. 6:2). Caves were frequently used as dwelling-places (Num. 24:21; Cant. 2:14; Jer. 49:16; Obad. 1:3). "The excavations at Deir Dubban, on the south side of the wady leading to Santa Hanneh, are probably the dwellings of the Horites," the ancient inhabitants of Idumea Proper. The pits or cavities in rocks were also sometimes used as prisons (Isa. 24:22; 51:14; Zech. 9:11). Those which had niches in their sides were occupied as burying-places (Ezek. 32:23; John 11:38).

The most remarkable caves noticed in Scripture are, that in which Lot dwelt after the destruction of Sodom, #Ge 19:30| the cave of Machpelah, #Ge 23:17| cave of Makkedah, #Jos 10:10| cave of Adullam, #1Sa 22:1| cave od Engedi, #1Sa 24:3| Obadiah's cave, #1Ki 18:4| Elijah's cave in Horeb, #1Ki 19:9| the rock sepulchres of Lazarus and of our Lord. #Mt 27:60; Joh 11:38| Caves were used for temporary dwelling-places and for tombs.

CAVE . Caves are very common in Palestine, and the names of sections of country were derived from this fact, as the Hauran, Eze 47:16, is caveland, and the Horites are dwellers in caves. They were made use of as temporary dwelling-places. Gen 19:36; as places of concealment, Josh 10:16; Jud 6:2; 1 Sam 13:6: ; 1 Sam 22:1, 2; 1 Sam 24:3; 2 Sam 23:13:1 Kgs 18:4; 1 Kgs 19:9; Heb 11:38; and as burial places. Gen 23:17, Acts 1:19 and Gen 49:29; John 11:38. Some noted ones are named in the Bible, such as Adullam, the Machpelah, Makkedah, etc. The manger in which our Lord was born may have been a cave. See Tombs and Burial.