CAVE

The geological structure of Judea is highly favorable to the formation of caves; and the whole region abounds with subterranean caverns of various dimensions, often giving rise to small rivulets. These were used as dwellings, places of refuge, and tombs. It was in a cave that Lot resided after the destruction of Sodom, Ge 19:30. Petra, in Idumea, was a city of caves, Nu 24:21 So 2:14 Jer 49:16 Ob 1:3. In the vicinity of Hebron, the poor still live in caves while pasturing their flocks. Natural cavities were sometimes enlarged, and artificial ones made for refuge and defense, Jud 6:2 1Sa 13:6 Isa 2:19 Jer 41:9. The caves of Machpelah, of Adullam, of Engedi, of Carmel and of Arbela, still exist. See SEPULCHRE.

---

Cave. Cave
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).

---

CAVE. → (Used as a dwelling)
* By Lot Ge 19:30
* Elijah 1Ki 19:9
* Israelites Eze 33:27
* Saints Heb 11:38

→ Place of refuge Jos 10:16-27; Jud 6:2; 1Sa 13:6; 1Ki 18:4,13; 19:9,13 → Burial place Ge 23:9-20; 25:9; 49:29-32; 50:13; Joh 11:38 → Of Adullam 1Sa 22:1; 2Sa 23:13; 1Ch 11:15 → En-gedi 1Sa 24:3-8

---

cave. Cave, n. a den, a hallow; v.i. to live in a cave

---

Cave (kāv), n. [[F. cave, L. cavus hollow, whence cavea cavity. Cf. Cage.]] 1. 1. A hollow place in the earth, either natural or artificial; a subterraneous cavity; a cavern; a den.
2. 2. Any hollow place, or part; a cavity. “The cave of the ear.” Bacon.
Cave bear (Zoöl.), a very large fossil bear (Ursus spelæus) similar to the grizzly bear, but large; common in European caves. — Cave dweller, a savage of prehistoric times whose dwelling place was a cave. Tylor. — Cave hyena (Zoöl.), a fossil hyena found abundanty in British caves, now usually regarded as a large variety of the living African spotted hyena. — Cave lion (Zoöl.), a fossil lion found in the caves of Europe, believed to be a large variety of the African lion. — Bone cave. See under Bone.