Pit
TextsWhat is the meaning of Pit in the Bible?
The Hebrew word 'pit' (bor or shachat) denotes a physical hole used for water storage or trapping animals, and serves as a metaphor for the grave or Sheol in poetic and prophetic literature.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the dual literal and metaphorical usage of 'pit' clarifies the imagery of deliverance from danger and the ancient Hebrew conception of death in biblical narratives.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Pit functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Pit in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Pit clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Pit." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/pit/