A "feeding-place" in biblical terms often refers to locations where flocks and herds are pastured and nourished. These places are significant in the pastoral and agrarian context of the Bible, symbolizing provision, sustenance, and divine care. The imagery of feeding-places is frequently used in Scripture to convey spiritual truths about God's provision for His people.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, feeding-places are commonly associated with shepherds and their flocks. The patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were often depicted as shepherds who sought out fertile feeding-places for their livestock. Genesis 13:10 describes the well-watered plains of the Jordan as "like the garden of the LORD," indicating a rich feeding-place.

The pastoral lifestyle of the Israelites is further illustrated in passages like Psalm 23, where David, a shepherd himself, writes, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters" (Psalm 23:1-2). Here, the "green pastures" symbolize a place of rest and nourishment provided by God.

Prophetic Imagery

Prophets often used the concept of feeding-places to convey messages of hope and restoration. In Ezekiel 34, God promises to be the shepherd of Israel, leading them to good feeding-places: "I will feed them in good pasture, and their grazing place will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down in a good grazing land; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel" (Ezekiel 34:14). This passage emphasizes God's commitment to care for His people and provide for their needs.

New Testament Application

In the New Testament, the imagery of feeding-places is expanded to include spiritual nourishment. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, provides for His flock, as seen in John 10:9, where He states, "I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture" . This pasture represents the spiritual sustenance and safety found in Christ.

The feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21) and the four thousand (Matthew 15:32-39) are miraculous events where Jesus provides physical nourishment, symbolizing His ability to meet both physical and spiritual needs. These events highlight Jesus as the ultimate provider, echoing the Old Testament theme of God as the shepherd who leads His people to abundant feeding-places.

Symbolic Meaning

Feeding-places in the Bible often symbolize God's provision and care. They are places of abundance, rest, and safety, reflecting the relationship between God and His people. The imagery of feeding-places serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His promise to sustain those who trust in Him.5528. chortos -- a feeding place, food, grass
... a feeding place, food, grass. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: chortos
Phonetic Spelling: (khor'-tos) Short Definition: grass, hay Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5528.htm - 6k4829. mireh -- a pasturage, pasture
... Word Origin from raah Definition a pasturage, pasture NASB Word Usage feeding
place (1), pasture (11), pastures (1). feeding place, pasture. ...
/hebrew/4829.htm - 6k

St. Gregory the Great.
... "In Rome are fulfilled the prophet's words against Niniveh: 'Where is the dwelling
of the lions, and the feeding-place of the young lions?'[181] Were not its ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.htm

Nineveh.
... THE CHOSEN PEOPLE. LESSON IX. NINEVEH. "Where is the dwelling-place of the lions,
and the feeding-place of the young lions?""Nahum, ii.11. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ix nineveh.htm

Nahum's Doom of Nineveh
... 4. Where is the den of the lions, And the feeding place of the young lions, Where
the lion and the lioness walked, The lion's whelp, and none made them afraid? ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/xi nahums doom of nineveh.htm

Deliverance from Assyria
... in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me," became a desolation, "empty, and
void, and waste," "the dwelling of the lions, and the feeding place of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 30 deliverance from assyria.htm

Feedingplace (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Feedingplace (1 Occurrence). Nahum 2:11 Where
is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the ...
/f/feedingplace.htm - 6k

Feeding-place (1 Occurrence)
Feeding-place. Feedingplace, Feeding-place. Feedings . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Feedingplace, Feeding-place. Feedings . Reference Bible.
/f/feeding-place.htm - 6k

Whelp (4 Occurrences)
... 38); of the Assyrians, "Where is the den of the lions, and the feeding-place of
the ... Nahum 2:11 Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the ...
/w/whelp.htm - 10k

Feeding (37 Occurrences)
... Nahum 2:11 Where is the den of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions,
where the lion and the lioness walked, the lion's cubs, and no one made ...
/f/feeding.htm - 17k

Lion's (14 Occurrences)
... Nahum 2:11 Where is the den of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions,
where the lion and the lioness walked, the lion's cubs, and no one made ...
/l/lion's.htm - 10k

Lioness (13 Occurrences)
... Nahum 2:11 Where is the den of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions,
where the lion and the lioness walked, the lion's cubs, and no one made ...
/l/lioness.htm - 10k

Lionesses (3 Occurrences)
... And a feeding-place it 'is' for young lions Where walked hath a lion, an old
lion, A lion's whelp, and there is none troubling. (YLT). ...
/l/lionesses.htm - 7k

Feedings (1 Occurrence)

/f/feedings.htm - 6k

Disturb (12 Occurrences)
... Nahum 2:11 Where is the den of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions,
where the lion and the lioness walked, the lion's cubs, and no one made ...
/d/disturb.htm - 10k

What can we learn from Jesus' feeding of the 5,000? | GotQuestions.org

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