BUSH

(1) (ceneh, Exodus 3:2-4 Deuteronomy 33:16; batos, Mark 12:26 Luke 6:44, "bramble bush"; 20:37; Acts 7:30, 35. All the Old Testament references and the New Testament references, except Luke 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; also 2 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 in Deuteronomy 33:16 Mark 12:26 Luke 20:37 Acts 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, compare Psalm 18:8-12; Psalm 50:3 Ezekiel 1:4 Micah 1:1-4 Habakkuk 3:3-6 Hebrews 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

942. batos -- a bramble bush
... a bramble bush. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine; Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
batos Phonetic Spelling: (bat'-os) Short Definition: a thorn bush or bramble ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/942.htm - 6k

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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/173.htm - 6k

5572. seneh -- perhaps blackberry bush
... 5571, 5572. seneh. 5573 . perhaps blackberry bush. Transliteration: seneh
Phonetic Spelling: (sen-eh') Short Definition: bush. Word ...
/hebrew/5572.htm - 5k

5285. naatsuts -- a thorn bush
... 5284, 5285. naatsuts. 5286 . a thorn bush. Transliteration: naatsuts
Phonetic Spelling: (nah-ats-oots') Short Definition: bush. ...
/hebrew/5285.htm - 6k

6176. aroer -- (probably a tree or bush) perhaps juniper
... 6175, 6176. aroer. 6177 . (probably a tree or bush) perhaps juniper.
Transliteration: aroer Phonetic Spelling: (ar-o-ayr') Short Definition: bush. ...
/hebrew/6176.htm - 6k

7880. siach -- a bush, shrub, plant
... 7879, 7880. siach. 7881 . a bush, shrub, plant. Transliteration: siach Phonetic
Spelling: (see'-akh) Short Definition: bushes. ... bush, plant, shrub. ...
/hebrew/7880.htm - 6k

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. ...
/hebrew/5097.htm - 6k

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. ...
/hebrew/2336.htm - 6k

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. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/the bramble-bush king.htm

The Appearance in the Bush.
... Book II. Chapter 13."The Appearance in the Bush. 23. But when Moses was
sent to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, it is ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 13 the appearance in the.htm

The Bush that Burned, and did not Burn Out
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS THE BUSH THAT BURNED, AND DID NOT BURN OUT. 'And, behold, the
bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.' Exodus 3:1 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bush that burned and.htm

Concerning the Burning Bush and the Rod of Moses.
... Years. From The Death Of Isaac To The Exodus Out Of Egypt. CHAPTER 12.
Concerning The Burning Bush And The Rod Of Moses. 1. Now ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 concerning the burning.htm

The Voice from the Bush
... THE OLD TESTAMENT THE VOICE FROM THE BUSH. ... There the angel of Jehovah appeared
to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a thorn bush. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the voice from the bush.htm

Opinions of the Jews with Regard to Him who Appeared in the Bush.
... Chapter LX."Opinions of the Jews with regard to Him who appeared in the
bush. Then Trypho said, "We do not perceive this from ...
/.../chapter lx opinions of the jews.htm

1879-1880. Experiences among Indians --Picnic in the Bush ...
... CHAPTER VIII. 1879-1880. Experiences among Indians"Picnic in the Bush"Distribution
of Testaments""Till He come"""A Home and a hearty Welcome.". ...
/.../lowe/gods answers/chapter viii 1879-1880 experiences among.htm

He it is who Spake with Moses in the Bush...
... THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE APOSTOLIC PREACHING Chapter 46 He it is who spake with
Moses in the bush� He it is who spake with Moses in the bush, and said: ...
/.../irenaeus/the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 46 he it is.htm

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 a bush; and he saw ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/19 that christ is the.htm

The Story of a Mother
... There stood a Blackthorn Bush, with not a leaf nor a blossom upon it; for it
was in the cold winter time, and icicles hung from the twigs. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the story of a mother.htm

Bush

The Hebrew word seneh 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.

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. 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.

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 ...
/b/bush.htm - 19k

Broom-bush (2 Occurrences)
Broom-bush. Broom, Broom-bush. Broom-coals . Multi-Version
Concordance Broom-bush (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 19:4 And ...
/b/broom-bush.htm - 7k

Thorn-bush (5 Occurrences)
Thorn-bush. Thornbush, Thorn-bush. Thornbushes . Multi-Version
Concordance Thorn-bush (5 Occurrences). Exodus 3:2 And ...
/t/thorn-bush.htm - 8k

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 a bush, (See NIV ...
/f/flames.htm - 22k

Burning (415 Occurrences)
... not?" See also PUNISHMENTS. BUSH, BURNING. burn'-ing. 1. Meaning and Use:
The scene at the burning bush (ceneh, "a bush," Septuagint ...
/b/burning.htm - 42k

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 a bush. ...
/b/burn.htm - 43k

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 a bush. He looked, and behold, the ...
/b/blazing.htm - 14k

Consumed (213 Occurrences)
... Exodus 3:2 The angel of Yahweh appeared to him in a flame of fire out of
the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush burned ...
/c/consumed.htm - 37k

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 the bush, and he seeth, and lo, the bush is burning with ...
/a/appeareth.htm - 15k

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 4th Bush. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BUSHEL. ...
/b/bushel.htm - 9k

Bush (14 Occurrences)

Mark 12:26 But about the dead, that they are raised; haven't you read in the book of Moses, about the Bush, how God spoke to him, saying,'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 6:44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don't gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 20:37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord'The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 7:30 "When forty years were fulfilled, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 7:35 "This Moses, whom they refused, saying,'Who made you a ruler and a judge?'-God has sent him as both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 3:2 The angel of Yahweh appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 3:3 Moses said, "I will turn aside now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 3:4 When Yahweh saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush, and said, "Moses! Moses!" He said, "Here I am."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 33:16 for the precious things of the earth and its fullness, the good will of him who lived in the bush. Let the blessing come on the head of Joseph, On the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 14:9 And Jehoash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thorn-bush that is in Lebanon sent to the cedar that is in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son as wife; and there passed by the wild beast that is in Lebanon, and trode down the thorn-bush.
(DBY NAS)

2 Chronicles 25:18 And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thorn-bush that is in Lebanon sent to the cedar that is in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son as wife; and there passed by the wild beast that is in Lebanon, and trode down the thorn-bush.
(DBY NAS)

Isaiah 55:13 In place of the thorn will come up the fir-tree, and in place of the blackberry the myrtle: and it will be to the Lord for a name, for an eternal sign which will not be cut off.
(See NAS NIV)

Jeremiah 17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt land and not inhabited.
(See NAS NIV)

Jeremiah 48:6 Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
(See NIV)

Bush

Broom-bush (2 Occurrences)

Thorn-bush (5 Occurrences)

Flames (54 Occurrences)

Burning (415 Occurrences)

Burn (206 Occurrences)

Blazing (27 Occurrences)

Consumed (213 Occurrences)

Appeareth (31 Occurrences)

Bushel (6 Occurrences)

Burned (587 Occurrences)

Quotations

Service (317 Occurrences)

Section (22 Occurrences)

Appeared (137 Occurrences)

Raised (267 Occurrences)

Passage (20 Occurrences)

Midst (657 Occurrences)

Plagues (28 Occurrences)

Broom (5 Occurrences)

Aside (416 Occurrences)

Rise (417 Occurrences)

Flame (61 Occurrences)

Moses (9295 Occurrences)

Calleth (261 Occurrences)

Zered (3 Occurrences)

Juniper (7 Occurrences)

Jethro (10 Occurrences)

Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Grapes (74 Occurrences)

Grape (20 Occurrences)

Implies (4 Occurrences)

Figs (27 Occurrences)

Forty (142 Occurrences)

Fact (98 Occurrences)

Thornbushes (6 Occurrences)

Touching (121 Occurrences)

Thorns (56 Occurrences)

Thornbush (4 Occurrences)

Rejected (96 Occurrences)

Recognized (37 Occurrences)

Regarding (33 Occurrences)

Rising (162 Occurrences)

Refused (89 Occurrences)

Refuse (103 Occurrences)

Expired (29 Occurrences)

Delay (47 Occurrences)

Distinguished (14 Occurrences)

Deliverer (29 Occurrences)

Disowned (10 Occurrences)

Myrtle (7 Occurrences)

Marvelous (30 Occurrences)

Plant (92 Occurrences)

Parched (37 Occurrences)

Picked (43 Occurrences)

Broom-coals (1 Occurrence)

Bushy (1 Occurrence)

Briers (17 Occurrences)

Brier (10 Occurrences)

Briar (2 Occurrences)

Bramble (7 Occurrences)

Burying-places (1 Occurrence)

Cost (28 Occurrences)

Calls (62 Occurrences)

Captain (167 Occurrences)

Clearly (67 Occurrences)

Apparently (3 Occurrences)

Shittah-tree (1 Occurrence)

Shittahtree

Shewed (105 Occurrences)

Showed (164 Occurrences)

Sansannah (1 Occurrence)

Sign (181 Occurrences)

Sina (2 Occurrences)

Sending (188 Occurrences)

Haven't (87 Occurrences)

Spake (704 Occurrences)

Pick (37 Occurrences)

Magistrate (9 Occurrences)

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus