Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

PIT

(Heb. bôr, bĕēr, šaḥaṯ, paḥaṯ)

In biblical sources, physical pits may be of natural formation (Ps. 40:2[MT 3]) and bitumen pits (Gen. 14:10)], of unexplained origin (37:22), or manmade (Ps. 57:6[7]). The latter were dug into the ground and sometimes modified with lining materials such as stone slabs or clay. They were used to collect and store water and other substances, as graves (2 Sam. 18:17), to trap animals and people both accidentally (Exod. 21:33) and deliberately (Gen. 37:22; Ezek. 19:4), and to hold prisoners (Isa. 24:22). Pits are described as a structural feature of a wine press (Mark 12:1). Many examples of these have been recognized archaeologically, as have pits created for the subterranean part of houses of the Chalcolithic period.

Since pits were recognized in the ancient world as a source of danger (Exod. 21:33), they are consequently used symbolically to describe the destruction awaiting those who turn to evil: those who concoct evil plots will fall into the very “pit” they have dug (Ps. 7:15[16]; Prov. 26:27); a man who associates with a loose woman will fall into the “pit” of her mouth (22:14); and others who have sinned will fall into the pit created by divine judgment (Isa. 24:17-18). The Pit is also a synonym for Sheol, the place of the dead (Ps. 16:10; Prov. 1:12), and for the source of the destruction of the earth and the location of demons and the devil (Rev. 9:1-11; 11:7).

Katharine A. Mackay

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

PIT

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)