In the context of biblical literature and the ancient Near Eastern environment, the term "bog" does not appear explicitly in the Scriptures. However, the concept of marshy or swampy land is present and can be inferred from various passages that describe similar landscapes. These areas, characterized by wet, spongy ground, are often associated with desolation, uninhabitability, and sometimes judgment.

Biblical References and Symbolism

1. Swamps and Marshes in Prophecy: In Ezekiel 47:11, the prophet describes a vision of a river flowing from the temple, bringing life wherever it goes. However, he notes, "But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt." . This passage uses the imagery of swamps and marshes to symbolize areas that remain untouched by the life-giving water, possibly representing places of judgment or areas resistant to divine transformation.

2. Desolation and Uninhabitability: Swampy areas in the ancient world were often seen as desolate and uninhabitable. Isaiah 14:23 speaks of Babylon's downfall, stating, "I will make her a possession for the hedgehog and pools of water, and I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction," . The imagery of "pools of water" can be associated with marshy, bog-like conditions, symbolizing desolation and ruin.

3. Metaphorical Use: While the Bible does not directly mention bogs, the metaphorical use of similar landscapes can be seen in the Psalms. Psalm 40:2 states, "He lifted me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm." . The "miry clay" evokes the image of a bog, representing a place of instability and danger from which God delivers the psalmist.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, bogs and marshes were not only geographical features but also held cultural and symbolic significance. They were often seen as places of chaos and disorder, contrasting with the ordered and fertile land that was suitable for habitation and agriculture. This cultural perception is reflected in the biblical use of swampy imagery to convey themes of judgment, desolation, and divine intervention.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the imagery of bogs and marshes in the Bible underscores the transformative power of God. While these areas are naturally resistant to change and growth, the biblical narrative often highlights God's ability to bring life and order to even the most desolate places. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the hope of redemption and renewal for all creation.

In summary, while the term "bog" is not directly mentioned in the Bible, the concept is present through related imagery and symbolism. These references serve to illustrate themes of judgment, desolation, and divine transformation, reflecting the broader theological messages of the Scriptures.1. (n.) A quagmire filled with decayed moss and other vegetable matter; wet spongy ground where a heavy body is apt to sink; a marsh; a morass.

2. (n.) A little elevated spot or clump of earth, roots, and grass, in a marsh or swamp.

3. (v. t.) To sink, as into a bog; to submerge in a bog; to cause to sink and stick, as in mud and mire.

The Real Thing of Light.
... The ground is a bit swampy in places, boggy. Low-lying land runs to bog and swamp. ...
And people are led astray by them deeper into swamp and bog. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the real thing of light.htm

The Life of Captain John Paton.
... Montrose with fresh supplies of men, the covenanters were obliged to give way, and
were, by the enemy, turned over unto a standing marsh or bog, where there ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of captain john.htm

Kept from Iniquity
... iniquity." Whatever you do, if you do right, God will see you through; but, whoever
you may be, if you turn aside to crooked ways, you will soon fall into a bog ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/kept from iniquity.htm

In Christ and in Ephesus
... vile. This city was a moral bog, a sink of pollution, filled with all
corruption, and reeking with vileness. It was a second Sodom. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-four in christ and.htm

In the Lanes
... With rose and crimson crown; The water violet stately,. And the frosted bog-bean
white. The whole wide world was a marvel,. A garden of strange delight! ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen and others second series/in the lanes.htm

Reasonable Rapture
... Cartload after cartload may be tilted into the bottomless bog, and there is no more
solid ground on the surface than there was at the beginning. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/reasonable rapture.htm

The Bethlehem Fog.
... shape of a gray subtle pervasive mist, that blurs the outlook, and often gathers
and holds black smoke, and mean poisonous odors and gases from bog and swamp. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the bethlehem fog.htm

God's Workmanship and Our Works
... And it is because people have such an unworthy, narrow, selfish idea of what 'salvation'
is that they fall into the bog of misconception as to how it is to be ...
/.../gods workmanship and our works.htm

Apprenticeship Customs
... such is the unparalleled wisdom of the present corporation, as well as of their
forefathers), they were to walk through a great bog (purposely preserved for ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/apprenticeship customs.htm

Wesley at Derry and Armagh
... for a nobleman. He intends to carry away a bog which lies behind it and
have a large piece of water in its place. He intends also ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley at derry and armagh.htm

Bog (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To sink, as into a bog; to submerge in a bog; to cause to sink and stick,
as in mud and mire. Multi-Version Concordance Bog (1 Occurrence). ...
/b/bog.htm - 7k

Wash (105 Occurrences)
... washed by the action of a sea or river, or sometimes covered and sometimes left
dry; the shallowest part of a river, or arm of the sea; also, a bog; a marsh; a ...
/w/wash.htm - 45k

Flow (85 Occurrences)
... See Ebb and flow, under Ebb. 16. (n.) A low-lying piece of watery land; -- called
also flow moss and flow bog. Multi-Version Concordance Flow (85 Occurrences). ...
/f/flow.htm - 32k

Marish
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Low, wet ground; a marsh; a fen; a bog; a moor.
2. (a.) Moory; fenny; boggy. 3. (a.) Growing in marshes. Int. ...
/m/marish.htm - 6k

Petition (33 Occurrences)
... Revised Version (British and American) "supplication"), and the Latin oratio (2
Esdras 8:24).ru with the Pteria of Herodotus i.76 (identified with Bog-haz-keui ...
/p/petition.htm - 19k

Pethor (2 Occurrences)
... a Hittite name, Tomkins (Records of the Past, V (London, 1891), 38) has compared
the name Pitru with the Pteria of Herodotus i.76 (identified with Bog-haz-keui ...
/p/pethor.htm - 10k

Body-servant (1 Occurrence)
Body-servant. Body's, Body-servant. Bog . Multi-Version Concordance Body-servant
(1 Occurrence). ... (BBE). Body's, Body-servant. Bog . Reference Bible.
/b/body-servant.htm - 6k

Bittern (4 Occurrences)
... In later days "bog-bull," "stake-driver" and "thunder-pumper" have attached
themselves to it as terms fitly descriptive of its voice. ...
/b/bittern.htm - 14k

Bohan (2 Occurrences)

/b/bohan.htm - 7k

Bog: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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