Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "ditch" is often used metaphorically and literally to describe a pit or trench, typically associated with danger, entrapment, or judgment. The concept of a ditch appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, illustrating both physical and spiritual themes.
Old Testament References1.
Proverbs 23:27 · "For a prostitute is a deep pit, and an adulteress is a narrow well."
Here, the ditch is metaphorically used to describe the perilous nature of engaging in immoral relationships. The imagery of a deep pit or ditch signifies the potential for destruction and entrapment that comes with such actions.
2.
Isaiah 24:17-18 · "Terror and pit and snare await you, O dweller of the earth. Whoever flees the sound of terror will fall into a pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in a snare."
In this passage, the ditch or pit is part of a triad of judgment symbols—terror, pit, and snare—emphasizing the inescapable nature of divine judgment upon the earth's inhabitants.
3.
Jeremiah 18:20 · "Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before You to speak good on their behalf, to turn Your wrath from them."
The ditch here is a metaphor for the treacherous plans of Jeremiah's adversaries. It symbolizes betrayal and the malicious intent to harm the prophet despite his intercessory efforts.
New Testament References1.
Matthew 15:14 · "Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."
Jesus uses the imagery of a ditch to illustrate the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees and the inevitable downfall that results from following misguided leaders. The ditch represents the consequences of spiritual ignorance and misdirection.
2.
Luke 6:39 · "He also told them a parable: 'Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?'"
Similar to the account in Matthew, this parable underscores the dangers of spiritual blindness and the importance of discernment in leadership. The ditch serves as a warning against following those who lack true spiritual insight.
Symbolic and Theological ImplicationsIn biblical symbolism, a ditch often represents a place of danger, judgment, or moral failure. It serves as a warning against the consequences of sin, the perils of false guidance, and the treachery of human schemes. The imagery of a ditch or pit is used to convey the depth of peril and the need for divine intervention and wisdom to avoid spiritual and moral pitfalls.
Theologically, the concept of a ditch underscores the importance of vigilance, righteousness, and reliance on God's guidance. It highlights the need for spiritual awareness and the dangers of straying from the path of truth and righteousness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A trench made in the earth by digging, particularly a trench for draining wet land, for guarding or fencing enclosures, or for preventing an approach to a town or fortress. In the latter sense, it is called also a moat or a fosse.
2. (n.) Any long, narrow receptacle for water on the surface of the earth.
3. (v. t.) To dig a ditch or ditches in; to drain by a ditch or ditches; as, to ditch moist land.
4. (v. t.) To surround with a ditch.
5. (v. t.) To throw into a ditch; as, the engine was ditched and turned on its side.
6. (v. i.) To dig a ditch or ditches.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DITCHdich: The word is used indiscriminately in the King James Version to represent at least three different ideas: a conduit or trench (2 Kings 3:16); a reservoir or cistern; or simply a pit or hole in the ground. In the Revised Version (British and American) this distinction is observed more carefully. CompareJob 9:31Psalm 7:15 ("pit"), andIsaiah 22:11 ("reservoir"), the former meaning a pit or any similar place of destruction or corruption; the latter a reservoir or cistern of water. The New Testament usage (Matthew 15:14 the King James Version) corresponds somewhat with the former. See also2 Kings 3:16 ("trenches").
Greek
999. bothunos -- a pit... a pit. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: bothunos Phonetic Spelling:
(both'-oo-nos) Short Definition: a pit,
ditch Definition: a pit,
ditch.
...Strong's Hebrew
1356. geb -- a pit, trench,ditch... 1355, 1356. geb. 1356a . a pit, trench,
ditch. Transliteration: geb Phonetic
Spelling: (gabe) Short Definition: beam. beam,
ditch, pit
...1356a. geb -- a pit, trench,ditch
... 1356, 1356a. geb. 1356b . a pit, trench,ditch. Transliteration: geb
Short Definition: cisterns. Word Origin from gub Definition...
7745. shuchah -- a pit
... Word Origin from shuach Definition a pit NASB Word Usage pit (4), pits (1).ditch,
pit. From shuwach; a chasm --ditch, pit. see HEBREW shuwach. 7744, 7745....
4724. miqvah -- reservoir
...ditch. Feminine of miqveh; a collection, ie (of water) a reservoir --ditch. see
HEBREW miqveh. 4723b, 4724. miqvah. 4725 . Strong's Numbers.
7845. shachath -- a pit
... corruption, destruction,ditch, grave, pit. From shuwach; a pit (especially as a
trap); figuratively, destruction -- corruption, destruction,ditch, grave, pit....
Library
Doubtful Fragments on the Pentateuch.
... And seizing the book of the law, he threw it into a deepditch, and cast fire and
hot ashes upon it for seven days.... And theditch was filled to the very top....
How Pompey when the Citizens of Jerusalem Shut their Gates against...
... to the city, which was strong on every side, excepting the north, which was not
so well fortified, for there was a broad and deepditch that encompassed the...
"Make this Valley Full of Ditches. " 2 Kings, iii. , 16
... be left to organizations. Let every Christian in London make aditch to
bring the living water to his own home. We hope to hear...
The Fanatics who Judaize.
... blind. And thus the blind leadeth the blind into theditch.... marvellous. Then,
however, they blindly lead you with them into theditch....
Like Teacher, Like Scholar
... principle that the scholar cannot expect to be wiser than his master; that a blind
teacher will have blind pupils, and that they will both fall into theditch....
Concerning what is in Our Own Power, that Is, Concerning Free-Will...
... originating in choice but bringing to pass something other than what is natural:
for example, if a man finds a treasure while digging aditch [1876] : for the...
Persecuting the Methodists
... It is a large, round hill, encompassed with a broadditch, which, it seems,
has been of a considerable depth. At the top of it is...
A Remarkable Dream
... He then stripped her, carried her a little way, and threw her into aditch....
He traced them to theditch, whence the groans came....
Litteus of Gemelli Said: "If the Blind Lead the Blind...
... Litteus [1881] of Gemelli [1882] said: "If the blind lead the blind, both shall
fall into theditch.' [1883] Since, therefore, it is clear that heretics can...
The New Heart
... You may picture to yourselves, if you like, a poor creature dying in aditch.
I trust that such a thing never happens in this land...
Thesaurus
Ditch (9 Occurrences)... 3. (vt) To dig a
ditch or ditches in; to drain by a
ditch or ditches; as,
to
ditch moist land. 4. (vt) To surround with a
ditch.
...Trench (8 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To fortify by cutting aditch, and raising a rampart or breastwork
with the earth thrown out of theditch; to entrench....
Reservoir (1 Occurrence)
... blessing"; (2) agham, "pool," "marsh," "reeds"; compare Arabic 'ajam, "thicket,"
"jungle"; (3) miqwah, "reservoir," the King James Version "ditch" (Isaiah 22:11...
Leap (20 Occurrences)
... Also Fig. 5. (vt) To pass over by a leap or jump; as, to leap a wall, or aditch....
7. (vt) To cause to leap; as, to leap a horse across aditch....
Fort (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A strong or fortified place; usually, a small fortified
place, occupied only by troops, surrounded with aditch, rampart, and...
Dike
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Aditch; a channel for water made by digging.... 6.
(vt) To drain by a dike orditch. 7. (vi) To work as a ditcher; to dig. Int....
Dig (24 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To hollow out, as a well; to form, as aditch, by removing earth; to excavate;
as, to dig aditch or a well. 4. (vt) To thrust; to poke....
Lead (192 Occurrences)
... And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into theditch. (Root in KJV
WEY DBY WBS RSV NIV).... shall they not both fall into theditch?...
Kir (11 Occurrences)
... Thus the place whence the Syrians were brought (Amos 9:7) is not Kir, but "the deep"
or "theditch" Septuagint ek bothrou, "pit"), probably a translation of...
Jezreel (37 Occurrences)
... Jezreel, Day of. The time predicted for the execution of vengeance for the deeds
of blood committed there (Hosea 1:5). Jezreel,Ditch of. (1 Kings 21:23; Comp....
Resources
What was the purpose of Stonehenge? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Elijah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is a consuming fire? | GotQuestions.orgDitch: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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