Topical Encyclopedia
A "haven" in biblical terms refers to a place of safety, refuge, or shelter, particularly for ships. The concept of a haven is often used metaphorically in Scripture to describe God's protection and provision for His people. The term is closely associated with peace, rest, and divine security.
Biblical References:1.
Psalm 107:30 · "They rejoiced when the waves grew quiet. Then He guided them to the harbor they desired."
This verse highlights God's sovereignty over the natural world and His ability to bring His people to a place of safety and rest. The "harbor" or "haven" here symbolizes the fulfillment of God's promises and the peace that comes from trusting in Him.
2.
Genesis 49:13 · "Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and shall be a haven for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon."
In Jacob's blessing over his sons, Zebulun is described as a tribe that will have access to the sea and serve as a haven for ships. This indicates a place of economic activity and security, where ships can find shelter and trade can flourish.
3.
Acts 27:12 · "Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. Phoenix was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest."
This passage describes a practical aspect of havens in the ancient world, where sailors sought safe places to anchor during adverse weather. The mention of Phoenix as a harbor underscores the importance of havens for maritime travel and safety.
Theological Significance:In a spiritual sense, a haven represents the peace and security found in a relationship with God. Just as a physical haven provides shelter from storms, God offers refuge to those who seek Him. This is evident in the Psalms, where God is frequently described as a fortress, rock, and deliverer (e.g.,
Psalm 18:2).
The imagery of a haven also points to the ultimate rest and safety believers find in Christ. Jesus is portrayed as the Good Shepherd who leads His flock to safe pastures (
John 10:11), and His invitation to the weary to find rest in Him (
Matthew 11:28-30) echoes the concept of a spiritual haven.
Historical and Cultural Context:In ancient times, havens were crucial for trade and travel. The Mediterranean Sea, with its numerous ports and harbors, was a hub of economic activity. Safe harbors allowed for the exchange of goods and culture, contributing to the prosperity of coastal regions. The biblical references to havens reflect this historical reality, as well as the broader spiritual truths they convey.
Application for Believers:For Christians, the idea of a haven serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the peace that comes from abiding in Him. In times of trouble, believers are encouraged to seek refuge in God's presence, trusting in His protection and provision. The assurance of a spiritual haven offers comfort and hope, reinforcing the promise of eternal security in Christ.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A harbour (
Psalm 107:30;
Acts 27:12). The most famous on the coast of Palestine was that of Tyre (
Ezek. 27:3). That of Crete, called "Fair Havens," is mentioned
Acts 27:8.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A bay, recess, or inlet of the sea, or the mouth of a river, which affords anchorage and shelter for shipping; a harbor; a port.
2. (n.) A place of safety; a shelter; an asylum.
3. (v. t.) To shelter, as in a haven.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HAVENha'-v'-n
(1) choph (Genesis 49:13, the Revised Version margin "beach";Judges 5:17, the Revised Version margin "shore," the King James Version "seashore," the King James Version margin "port"); elsewhere "sea-shore" (Deuteronomy 1:7Joshua 9:1Jeremiah 47:7) or "sea coast" (Ezekiel 25:16); from root chaphaph, "to wash" or "to lave"; compare Arabic chaffa, "to rub"; and chaffat, "border"; Chufuf, in Eastern Arabia;
(2) machoz (Psalm 107:30);
(3) limen (Acts 27:12 bis); also Fair Havens, kaloi limenes (Acts 27:8)):
While the Greek limen is "harbor," the Hebrew Choph is primarily "shore." There is no harbor worthy of the name on the shore of Palestine South of Chaifa. Indeed there is no good natural harbor on the whole coast of Syria and Palestine. The promontories of Carmel, Beirut and Tripolis afford shelter from the prevalent southwest wind, but offer no refuge from the fury of a northern gale. On rocky shores there are inlets which will protect sail boats at most times, but the ships of the ancients were beached in rough weather, and small craft are so treated at the present time. See illustration under BITHYNIA, p. 483.
Alfred Ely Day
Greek
3040. limen -- a harbor, ahaven... a harbor, a
haven. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: limen Phonetic
Spelling: (lee-mane') Short Definition: a harbor, port Definition: a harbor
...Strong's Hebrew
4231. machoz -- a city... 4230, 4231. machoz. 4232 . a city. Transliteration: machoz Phonetic Spelling:
(maw-khoze') Short Definition:
haven. Word
...haven. From
...2348. choph -- shore, coast
... Word Origin from chaphaph Definition shore, coast NASB Word Usage coast (1),haven
(1), seacoast* (3), seashore* (2). coast of the sea,haven, shore, seaside....
3997. meboah -- entry
... Word Origin the same as mabo, qv. entry Feminine of mabow'; ahaven -- entry. see
HEBREW mabow'. 3996, 3997. meboah. 3998 . Strong's Numbers.
4664. miphrats -- landing place
... breach. From parats; a break (in the shore), ie Ahaven -- breach. see HEBREW
parats. 4663, 4664. miphrats. 4665 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
The DesiredHaven.
... THE DESIREDHAVEN. THE DESIREDHAVEN. i. "Lord... blast? Ah! the promisedhaven I
never may attain,. Sinking and forgotten amid the lonely main;...
NewHaven Orthodox Creed.
... NEWHAVEN ORTHODOX CREED. Considerable... Dr. TAYLOR, professor of divinity at
Yale College, at NewHaven, in the state of Connecticut. The...
And in Thy Fair, CalmHaven, Blest,
... STILLING THE TEMPEST I And in Thy fair, calmhaven, blest,. 8,8,8,8.... The winds and
threatening waves control. And in Thy fair, calmhaven, blest,....
NewHaven.
... 308 NewHaven. 6s & 4s. Jesus, My Lord. (586) Jesus, thy name I love, All
other names above, Jesus, my Lord! Oh, thou art all to me!...
NewHaven.
... 307 NewHaven. 6s & 4s. Looking to Jesus. (587) My faith looks up to thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary; Savior divine; Now hear me while...
"He Bringeth them unto their DesiredHaven. "
... Book VII. Chapter XXXII.""He Bringeth Them Unto Their DesiredHaven.".
Then Niceta began to say: "On that night, O mother, when...
Bishop Williams's Address.
... CG Adams, Southport; HA Adams, Wethersfield; WG Andrews, Guilford; EW Babcock, New
Haven; JH Barbour, Hartford; EE Beardsley, DD, LL.D., NewHaven; AE Beeman...
Caesarea. Strato's Tower.
... Strato's tower.". Herod built the city to the honour and name of Caesar,
and made a very noblehaven at vast expenses. "He built...
Of the [Temple And] Cities that were Built by Herod and Erected...
... for the case was this, that all the sea-shore between Dora and Joppa, in the middle,
between which this city is situated, had no goodhaven, insomuch that...
Church and State in New England
... and with the great mass of the English nation, whatever their religious opinions,
the colonists of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and NewHaven held in...
Thesaurus
Haven (8 Occurrences)... port. 2. (n.) A place of safety; a shelter; an asylum. 3. (vt) To shelter,
as in a
haven. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
HAVEN. ha
...Haven't (87 Occurrences)
Haven't. Havens,Haven't. Havilah . Multi-Version Concordance
Haven't (87 Occurrences). Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard...
Havens (1 Occurrence)
... Here Paul waited for a considerable time (Acts 27:9); but while it afforded good
anchorage and a shelter from North and Northwest winds, "thehaven was not...
Attained (20 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:12 and thehaven being incommodious to winter in, the more part gave counsel
to sail thence also, if by any means they might be able, having attained...
Foundations (49 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 40:21Haven't you known?Haven't you heard, yet?Haven't you been told from
the beginning?Haven't you understood from the foundations of the earth?...
Shore (45 Occurrences)
... shor: (1) choph, always of the Mediterranean, variously translated "haven," "beach,"
"shore," "sea-shore," "coast," "sea coast" (Genesis 49:13 Deuteronomy 1:7...
Creator (19 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:4 He answered, "Haven't you read that he who made them from the beginning
made them male and female, (See NIV).... Isaiah 40:28Haven't you known?...
Understood (63 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 40:21Haven't you known?Haven't you heard, yet?Haven't you been told from
the beginning?Haven't you understood from the foundations of the earth?...
Zidon (25 Occurrences)
... (See JPS BBE). Genesis 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell at thehaven of the sea; and he
shall be for anhaven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon....
Northwest (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 27:12 and thehaven being incommodious to winter in, the more part gave counsel
to sail thence also, if by any means they might be able, having attained...
Resources
Why did John Calvin have Michael Servetus burned at the stake for heresy? | GotQuestions.orgWho was William Tyndale? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are so many young people falling away from the faith? | GotQuestions.orgHaven: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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