Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "bush" is most notably associated with the account of Moses and the burning bush, a pivotal event in the Old Testament. This encounter is recorded in the Book of Exodus and holds significant theological and symbolic meaning within the Judeo-Christian tradition.
The Burning BushThe burning bush is described in
Exodus 3:1-6. Moses, while tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, leads the sheep to the far side of the wilderness and comes to Horeb, the mountain of God. It is here that he encounters the miraculous sight of a bush that is on fire but is not consumed by the flames. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this moment as follows:
"And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed. So Moses thought, 'I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?' When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' 'Here I am,' he answered. 'Do not come any closer,' God said. 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.' Then He said, 'I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God." (
Exodus 3:2-6)
Symbolism and SignificanceThe burning bush is rich in symbolism and theological significance. It represents God's presence and His holiness, as indicated by the command to Moses to remove his sandals. The bush that burns but is not consumed symbolizes the eternal and self-sustaining nature of God. It also signifies God's ability to bring life and light without being diminished, a concept that resonates with the divine nature as described throughout Scripture.
The appearance of the Angel of the LORD in the bush is often interpreted as a theophany, a visible manifestation of God to humankind. This encounter marks the beginning of Moses' mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, highlighting God's intervention in human history and His covenantal faithfulness to His people.
Other ReferencesWhile the burning bush is the most prominent biblical reference, the term "bush" appears in other contexts as well. In
Deuteronomy 33:16, Moses blesses Joseph with the "favor of Him who dwelt in the burning bush," further emphasizing the significance of this divine encounter. The imagery of the bush is also used metaphorically in other parts of Scripture to convey ideas of protection, refuge, and divine presence.
Theological ReflectionsThe burning bush narrative invites reflection on the nature of God's call and the appropriate human response. Moses' initial curiosity, followed by reverence and fear, models the attitude of awe and obedience that believers are called to exhibit in response to God's holiness and mission. The bush serves as a reminder of God's immanence and transcendence, His closeness to His creation, and His ultimate authority and power.
In summary, the bush, particularly in the context of the burning bush, serves as a profound symbol of God's presence, holiness, and redemptive action in the world. It is a key element in the narrative of Moses and the Exodus, underscoring the themes of divine revelation and mission.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
BushThe Hebrew wordseneh occurs only in those passages which refer to Jehovah's appearance to Moses "in the flame of fire in the bush." (Exodus 3:2,3,4;33:16) It is quite impossible to say what kind of thorn bush is intended; but it was probably the acacia a small variety of the shittim tree found in the Sinai region.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
In which Jehovah appeared to Moses in the wilderness (
Exodus 3:2;
Acts 7:30). It is difficult to say what particular kind of plant or bush is here meant. Probably it was the mimosa or acacia. The words "in the bush" in
Mark 12:26;
Luke 20:37, mean "in the passage or paragraph on the bush;" i.e., in
Exodus 3.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A thicket, or place abounding in trees or shrubs; a wild forest.
2. (n.) A shrub; esp., a shrub with branches rising from or near the root; a thick shrub or a cluster of shrubs.
3. (n.) A shrub cut off, or a shrublike branch of a tree; as, bushes to support pea vines.
4. (n.) A shrub or branch, properly, a branch of ivy (as sacred to Bacchus), hung out at vintners' doors, or as a tavern sign; hence, a tavern sign, and symbolically, the tavern itself.
5. (n.) The tail, or brush, of a fox.
6. (v. i.) To branch thickly in the manner of a bush.
7. (v. t.) To set bushes for; to support with bushes; as, to bush peas.
8. (v. t.) To use a bush harrow on (land), for covering seeds sown; to harrow with a bush; as, to bush a piece of land; to bush seeds into the ground.
9. (n.) A lining for a hole to make it smaller; a thimble or ring of metal or wood inserted in a plate or other part of machinery to receive the wear of a pivot or arbor.
10. (n.) A piece of copper, screwed into a gun, through which the vent hole is bored.
11. (v. t.) To furnish with a bush, or lining; as, to bush a pivot hole.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BUSH(1) (ceneh,Exodus 3:2-4Deuteronomy 33:16; batos,Mark 12:26Luke 6:44, "bramble bush"; 20:37;Acts 7:30, 35. All the Old Testament references and the New Testament references, exceptLuke 6:44, are to the same "bush," namely, Moses' "burning bush"). From its etymology ceneh clearly denotes a "thorny" plant, as does the corresponding batos in the Septuagint and New Testament. In the Latin versions rubus, i.e. "bramble," is used as equivalent. Several varieties of bramble flourish in Palestine, of which the most common is Rubus discolor, but this is not an indigenous plant in Sinai. It is stated by Post that a bush of this plant has been planted by the monks of the Convent of Catherine at Sinai to the rear of the "Chapel of the Burning Bush." In spite of tradition there is but little doubt that Moses' "burning bush" must actually have been a shrub of one of the various thorny acacias, or allied plants, indigenous in the Sinaitic peninsula.
(2) (siach "plant,"Genesis 2:5; "shrub,"Genesis 21:15; "bush,"Job 30:4, 7). In the first reference any kind of plant may be meant, but in the other passages the reference is to the low bushes or scrub, such as are found in the desert.
(3) (nahalolim, the King James Version bushes, the Revised Version (British and American) PASTURE, margin "bushes,"Isaiah 7:19). The meaning appears to be rather a place for watering flocks, the corresponding Arabic root nahal, having the meaning "to quench one's thirst," and the corresponding noun of place, manhal, meaning a watering-place in the desert.
E. W. G. Masterman
BUSH, BURNING
burn'-ing.
1. Meaning and Use:
The scene at the burning bush (ceneh, "a bush," Septuagint batos, "blackberry bush") reveals God to the world in one of theophanies with fire, of which there are four mentioned in the Bible (Exodus 3:2;Exodus 13:21;Exodus 19:18; also2 Thessalonians 1:8 the King James Version, yet to be fulfilled). Many other Divine manifestations were associated with fire. The Burning Bush is mentioned elsewhere inDeuteronomy 33:16Mark 12:26Luke 20:37Acts 7:30, 31.
2. Identification:
Exact identification of the particular kind of bush in which God appeared to Moses is impossible. Attempts have been made to identify it with the blackberry bush, as by the Septuagint and also by the monks of the Convent of Catharine on Mount Sinai who grow the blackberry there in token of their tradition. The cassia has also been suggested. Both identifications are failures, the former because the blackberry does not grow in that region unless imported and tended, the latter for philological reasons. Nothing in the language used gives any clue to the species of the bush. The generally accepted view that it was some kind of thorn bush is an assumption with scarcely other ground than that there are so many thorny bushes in that region. This fact does, however, give to the assumption much probability.
3. Interpretation:
The old Jewish commentators have many things to say in explanation of this theophany (compare Jewish Encyclopedia). That one thing which will meet with much response from the Christian heart is that the unconsumed bush with the fire in the midst of it indicated that the Israelites would not be consumed by the afflictions in Egypt. The application of this view to God's people under affliction in all ages is often made by Christian homilists. But this cannot have been the primary meaning of theophany. Of the many theophanies and other Divine manifestations with fire, the specific signification must be learned from a careful study of the circumstances in each case. The fire does not seem to have any one fundamental meaning running through them all. In addition to the references already given, comparePsalm 18:8-12;Psalm 50:3Ezekiel 1:4Micah 1:1-4Habakkuk 3:3-6Hebrews 12:29.
The exact meaning of the Burning Bush as a method or medium of revelation may appear as follows:
(1) The flame in this bush was not the flame of persecution by God's enemies without, but the flame of God's presence or the presence of His angel within.
(2) The idea of burning and yet not being consumed is brought into the narrative by Moses' wonderment in the moment of his ignorance, before he knew that God was in the bush.
(3) The real significance of the flame in this case seems to be light and glory and preservation where God manifests Himself graciously. This is the universal idea of revealed religion.
The prevailing idea of God in the religions round about was that God dwelt in darkness. The approach to the gods in Egyptian temples was through ever-deepening gloom. It was thought that God was very dangerous and apt to be a destroyer, so that a priest must always intervene. God as a gracious Saviour was the new idea revelation was bringing to the world. This was now first clearly announced, but was not to be fully revealed throughout the time of the long line of priests until the Great High Priest should come and make a "way of approach" that we may come "with boldness unto the throne of grace."
M. G. Kyle
Greek
942. batos -- a bramblebush... a bramble
bush. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine; Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
batos Phonetic Spelling: (bat'-os) Short Definition: a thorn
bush or bramble
...173. akantha -- a prickly plant, thorn
... a prickly plant, thorn. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: akantha
Phonetic Spelling: (ak'-an-thah) Short Definition: a thorn-bush Definition: a...
Strong's Hebrew
5572. seneh -- perhaps blackberrybush... 5571, 5572. seneh. 5573 . perhaps blackberry
bush. Transliteration: seneh
Phonetic Spelling: (sen-eh') Short Definition:
bush. Word
...5285. naatsuts -- a thornbush
... 5284, 5285. naatsuts. 5286 . a thornbush. Transliteration: naatsuts
Phonetic Spelling: (nah-ats-oots') Short Definition:bush....
6176. aroer -- (probably a tree orbush) perhaps juniper
... 6175, 6176. aroer. 6177 . (probably a tree orbush) perhaps juniper.
Transliteration: aroer Phonetic Spelling: (ar-o-ayr') Short Definition:bush....
7880. siach -- abush, shrub, plant
... 7879, 7880. siach. 7881 . abush, shrub, plant. Transliteration: siach Phonetic
Spelling: (see'-akh) Short Definition: bushes....bush, plant, shrub....
5097. nahalol -- a pasture
... Word Origin from nahal Definition a pasture NASB Word Usage watering places (1).
bush. From nahal; pasture --bush. see HEBREW nahal. 5096, 5097....
2336. choach -- briar, bramble, hook, ring, fetter
... 2335, 2336. choach. 2337 . briar, bramble, hook, ring, fetter. Transliteration:
choach Phonetic Spelling: (kho'-akh) Short Definition:bush....
Library
The Bramble-Bush King
... THE BRAMBLE-BUSH KING. There is a story in... had better give it up. Some of
the unhappiest people in the world are bramble-bush kings....
The Appearance in theBush.
... Book II. Chapter 13."The Appearance in theBush. 23. But when Moses was
sent to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, it is...
TheBush that Burned, and did not Burn Out
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS THEBUSH THAT BURNED, AND DID NOT BURN OUT. 'And, behold, the
bush burned with fire, and thebush was not consumed.' Exodus 3:1...
Concerning the BurningBush and the Rod of Moses.
... Years. From The Death Of Isaac To The Exodus Out Of Egypt. CHAPTER 12.
Concerning The BurningBush And The Rod Of Moses. 1. Now...
The Voice from theBush
... THE OLD TESTAMENT THE VOICE FROM THEBUSH.... There the angel of Jehovah appeared
to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a thornbush....
Opinions of the Jews with Regard to Him who Appeared in theBush.
... Chapter LX."Opinions of the Jews with regard to Him who appeared in the
bush. Then Trypho said, "We do not perceive this from...
1879-1880. Experiences among Indians --Picnic in theBush...
... CHAPTER VIII. 1879-1880. Experiences among Indians"Picnic in theBush"Distribution
of Testaments""Till He come"""A Home and a hearty Welcome."....
He it is who Spake with Moses in theBush...
... THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE APOSTOLIC PREACHING Chapter 46 He it is who spake with
Moses in thebush? He it is who spake with Moses in thebush, and said:...
That Christ is the Bridegroom, Having the Church as his Bride...
... to put off his shoe, because he, too, was not the bridegroom: "And there appeared
unto him the angel of the Lord in a flame of fire out of abush; and he saw...
The Story of a Mother
... There stood a BlackthornBush, with not a leaf nor a blossom upon it; for it
was in the cold winter time, and icicles hung from the twigs....
Thesaurus
Bush (14 Occurrences)... 30). It is difficult to say what particular kind of plant or
bush is here
meant.
... 6. (vi) To branch thickly in the manner of a
bush. 7
...Broom-bush (2 Occurrences)
Broom-bush. Broom, Broom-bush. Broom-coals . Multi-Version
Concordance Broom-bush (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 19:4 And...
Thorn-bush (5 Occurrences)
Thorn-bush. Thornbush, Thorn-bush. Thornbushes . Multi-Version
Concordance Thorn-bush (5 Occurrences). Exodus 3:2 And...
Flames (54 Occurrences)
... 30 and forty years having been fulfilled, there appeared to him in the wilderness
of mount Sinai a messenger of the Lord, in a flame of fire of abush, (See NIV...
Burning (415 Occurrences)
... not?" See also PUNISHMENTS.BUSH, BURNING. burn'-ing. 1. Meaning and Use:
The scene at the burningbush (ceneh, "abush," Septuagint...
Burn (206 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV). Exodus 3:2 The angel of Yahweh appeared
to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of abush....
Blazing (27 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Exodus 3:2 The angel of Yahweh appeared to him in a flame of
fire out of the midst of abush. He looked, and behold, the...
Consumed (213 Occurrences)
... Exodus 3:2 The angel of Yahweh appeared to him in a flame of fire out of
the midst of abush. He looked, and behold, thebush burned...
Appeareth (31 Occurrences)
... Exodus 3:2 and there appeareth unto him a messenger of Jehovah in a flame of fire,
out of the midst of thebush, and he seeth, and lo, thebush is burning with...
Bushel (6 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The iron lining in the nave of a wheel. [Eng.] In the United States it is
called a box. See 4thBush. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BUSHEL....
Resources
Why did God speak to Moses out of the burning bush? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is a God of miracles? | GotQuestions.orgWhy was the fire in the altar to burn continuously (Leviticus 6:13)? | GotQuestions.orgBush: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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