The Cave
Caves shelter the dead, the hunted, and the divine.
AI-generated artistic depiction (no historical imagery exists)
A cave is a natural hollow or underground chamber that appears in scripture as a place of refuge, burial, and divine encounter. The cave of Machpelah, purchased by Abraham from Ephron the Hittite, serves as the family burial site for Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob (Genesis 23:9, Genesis 23:11, Genesis 23:17, Genesis 23:19, Genesis 23:20, Genesis 25:9, Genesis 49:29, Genesis 49:30, Genesis 49:32, Genesis 50:13). Caves also function as hiding places during times of war and persecution, as seen when the five Amorite kings hide in a cave at Makkedah (Joshua 10:16, Joshua 10:17) and when David takes refuge in the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1).
Lore & Background
The cave of Machpelah is the most prominent cave in the passages, serving as a purchased and legally secured burial place for the patriarchs. Abraham buys the cave and field from Ephron the Hittite for Sarah's burial (Genesis 23:9, Genesis 23:11, Genesis 23:17, Genesis 23:19, Genesis 23:20). Later, Isaac and Ishmael bury Abraham there (Genesis 25:9), and Jacob instructs his sons to bury him in the same cave with his fathers (Genesis 49:29, Genesis 49:30, Genesis 49:32). Joseph's sons carry out this request, burying Jacob in the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 50:13).
Reader's Guide
Caves in these passages are consistently associated with concealment and protection. During the Midianite oppression, the Israelites make caves their strongholds (Judges 6:2). In a later crisis, the men of Israel hide in caves out of distress (1 Samuel 13:6). David escapes to the cave of Adullam, where his family joins him (1 Samuel 22:1). In a dramatic encounter, Saul enters a cave to relieve himself while David and his men are hiding in its recesses; David spares Saul's life there, later citing the cave as the place where the Lord delivered Saul into his hand (1 Samuel 24:3, 1 Samuel 24:7, 1 Samuel 24:8, 1 Samuel 24:10). Caves also serve as prisons: Joshua traps five kings in a cave at Makkedah by rolling great stones over its mouth, later executing them and sealing the cave again (Joshua 10:18, Joshua 10:22, Joshua 10:23, Joshua 10:27). Even the divine is associated with a cave: the Lord passes by Elijah on a mountain, though the wind, earthquake, and fire do not contain Him (1 Kings 19:11). Jesus comes to a cave tomb sealed with a stone (John 11:38). Lot dwells in a cave with his daughters after fleeing Zoar (Genesis 19:30).
Did You Know?
- Five Amorite kings hid in a cave at Makkedah and were later executed and buried there under a pile of stones (Joshua 10:16, Joshua 10:17, Joshua 10:18, Joshua 10:22, Joshua 10:23, Joshua 10:27).
- David spared Saul's life in a cave, later telling Saul that the Lord had delivered him into David's hand in that cave (1 Samuel 24:3, 1 Samuel 24:7, 1 Samuel 24:8, 1 Samuel 24:10).
- Jesus came to a cave tomb with a stone covering its entrance (John 11:38).