Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of a "roost" is closely associated with birds and their natural behavior of resting or settling in a place for the night. While the term "roost" itself is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the imagery of birds and their nesting or resting habits is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, often used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths and divine principles.
Biblical Imagery and Symbolism1.
Protection and Refuge: Birds finding a place to roost often symbolize safety and protection. In
Psalm 91:4 , the psalmist writes, "He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart." This verse uses the imagery of a bird's wings to depict God's protective nature, suggesting that just as birds find security in their roosts, believers find safety under God's care.
2.
Divine Provision: The Bible frequently uses birds to illustrate God's provision. In
Matthew 6:26 , Jesus teaches, "Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Here, the natural behavior of birds, including their roosting, serves as a reminder of God's provision for all His creation, encouraging believers to trust in His care.
3.
Rest and Peace: The act of roosting can also symbolize rest and peace. In the context of the Sabbath and spiritual rest, the Bible emphasizes the importance of finding rest in God.
Hebrews 4:9-10 states, "There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His." This rest is akin to the peace and security a bird experiences when it finds a suitable roost.
4.
Judgment and Desolation: Conversely, the absence of a place to roost can symbolize judgment or desolation. In
Isaiah 34:11 , the prophet describes the desolation of Edom, saying, "The desert owl and screech owl will possess it; the great owl and the raven will dwell in it. The LORD will stretch out over Edom the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of destruction." The presence of birds in a desolate land, finding places to roost amidst ruins, underscores the completeness of God's judgment.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn the ancient Near East, birds were a common part of daily life, and their behaviors were well-observed by the people. The roosting of birds, particularly in the evening, was a familiar sight and provided a natural metaphor for various aspects of life and faith. The biblical authors, inspired by the Holy Spirit, utilized these natural phenomena to communicate deeper spiritual truths to their audience.
Theological ImplicationsThe imagery of roosting birds in the Bible serves to remind believers of God's sovereignty, care, and provision. It encourages trust in God's protection and provision, while also warning of the consequences of turning away from Him. The metaphor of roosting invites believers to find their ultimate rest and security in God, much like a bird finds safety in its roost.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Roast.
2. (v. t.) See Roust.
3. (n.) The pole or other support on which fowls rest at night; a perch.
4. (n.) A collection of fowls roosting together.
5. (v. i.) To sit, rest, or sleep, as fowls on a pole, limb of a tree, etc.; to perch.
6. (v. i.) Fig.; To lodge; to rest; to sleep.
Library
Of the Infirmity of the Flesh, and Similar Pleas.
... trumps up the "necessity" for marrying,"promising itself, forsooth, heavenly things
in return"to lord it, (namely,) in another's family; toroost [380] on...
David Appointing Solomon
... Thus, as ever, his evil deeds came home toroost, and the poisonous seed which he
had sown grew up and waved, a bitter harvest, which he had to reap....
The Card Parties
... At the close of such gatherings, a chicken-roast was generally in order, and the
fowl used was usually taken from some hen-roost not far distant....
When Appius Told his Mother and his Sister what Augustus had Said...
... "Know you the Isle of Doom?" said he. "Ay, 'tis a lonely heap of rocks.". "Aroost
of sea-birds," said the prince of Judea. "Know you who am I?"....
The Twofold Wrestle --God's with Jacob and Jacob's with God
... the morrow? Was He not trying to teach him how crime always comes home
toroost, with a brood of pains running behind it? Was not...
"Am Ia Sea, or a Whale?"
... make merry all the day, for "they count it one of the wisest things to drive dull
care away"; but dull care, like the chickens, comes home toroost at night....
The Naturalness of Prayer
... things in the world. It is the effectuation of all Nature, which comes home
toroost there, and settles to its rest. It is the last...
The Great Assize
... it will be for the malicious man to have for ever to gnaw his own envious heart,
to find his malice come home to him, as birds come home toroost, to hoot for...
The Wandering Bird
... You have wandered from your nest. And do you mean to wander on? Is yours
to be forever the flight of a bird that hath noroost?...
The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus
... so much as John. He is a ringleader in all vice. If there is a henroost
to be robbed, Jack's your man. If there is any iniquity...
Thesaurus
Roost (4 Occurrences)... to perch. 6. (vi) Fig.; To lodge; to rest; to sleep. Multi-Version Concordance
Roost (4 Occurrences). Matthew 13:32 which is less
...Perch (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A pole; a long staff; a rod; esp., a pole or other support for fowls to
roost on or to rest on; aroost; figuratively, any elevated resting place or...
Rooster (13 Occurrences)
Grows (46 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:19 It is like a mustard seed which a man drops into the soil in his garden,
and it grows and becomes a tree in whose branches the birdsroost." (WEY)....
Roomy (2 Occurrences)
Drops (27 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:19 It is like a mustard seed which a man drops into the soil in his garden,
and it grows and becomes a tree in whose branches the birdsroost." (WEY)....
Mounts (11 Occurrences)
... Mark 4:32 and when it has been sown, mounts up and becomes greater than all herbs,
and produces great branches, so that the birds of heaven canroost under its...
Produces (27 Occurrences)
... Mark 4:32 and when it has been sown, mounts up and becomes greater than all herbs,
and produces great branches, so that the birds of heaven canroost under its...
Becomes (138 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:19 It is like a mustard seed which a man drops into the soil in his garden,
and it grows and becomes a tree in whose branches the birdsroost." (WEY)....
Soil (59 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:19 It is like a mustard seed which a man drops into the soil in his garden,
and it grows and becomes a tree in whose branches the birdsroost." (WEY)....
Resources
Should there be hierarchy in the family? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Assyria in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgRoost: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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