A "glen" is a term not directly found in the Bible, but it refers to a narrow valley, typically one that is long and deep, often with a watercourse running through it. The concept of a glen can be related to various geographical features mentioned in the Scriptures, which often hold significant spiritual and symbolic meanings.

Biblical Context and Symbolism

In biblical times, valleys were significant both geographically and symbolically. They were often places of battles, refuge, and divine encounters. While the specific term "glen" is not used in the Bible, the imagery of valleys is prevalent throughout the Scriptures.

Valleys in the Bible

1. Valley of Achor: Known as a place of trouble, the Valley of Achor is mentioned in Joshua 7:24-26, where Achan was punished for his disobedience. Despite its initial negative connotation, the valley later becomes a symbol of hope and restoration in Hosea 2:15: "There I will give her back her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope."

2. Valley of Elah: This is the site of the famous battle between David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). The Valley of Elah represents a place of testing and victory, where faith in God leads to triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds.

3. Valley of the Shadow of Death: Although not a physical location, this phrase from Psalm 23:4 symbolizes times of deep distress and danger. The psalmist expresses confidence in God's presence and protection: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

4. Valley of Jehoshaphat: Mentioned in Joel 3:2, this valley is associated with God's judgment. It is a place where nations will be gathered for judgment, symbolizing divine justice and the ultimate sovereignty of God.

Spiritual Lessons from Valleys

Valleys in the Bible often represent times of trial, testing, and growth. They are places where individuals encounter God in profound ways, learn dependence on Him, and experience His deliverance. The imagery of a valley, or glen, can remind believers of the following spiritual truths:

· Dependence on God: Just as valleys are surrounded by mountains, believers are reminded of their need to rely on God's strength and guidance during challenging times.

· Hope and Restoration: Valleys can be transformed from places of despair to symbols of hope, as seen in the transformation of the Valley of Achor.

· Divine Presence: Even in the darkest valleys, God's presence is a source of comfort and courage, as expressed in Psalm 23.

· Judgment and Justice: Valleys can also symbolize God's righteous judgment, reminding believers of the importance of living in accordance with His will.

While the term "glen" itself is not found in the biblical text, the concept of valleys as places of both challenge and divine encounter is deeply woven into the biblical narrative, offering rich spiritual insights for believers.(n.) A secluded and narrow valley; a dale; a depression between hills.

Education.
... Basil's own description [23] of his retreat on the opposite side of the Iris matches
the reference of Gregory of Nazianzus [24] to the narrow glen among lofty ...
//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/ii education.htm

The Valley of Achor
... on him had purged the camp, victory again followed their assault, and Achan lying
stiff and stark below his cairn, they pressed on up the glen to their task of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the valley of achor.htm

San Josef
... mile off, the steep slopes of the green northern mountains blazing in the sun, and
sending down, every two or three miles, out of some charming glen, a clear ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter ix san josef.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... And lastly, what is that giant tree which almost fills the centre of the glen, towering
with upright but branching limbs, and huge crown, thinly leaved, double ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

To the Rev. J. Jowett
... intended. A few months since I saw Mr. Glen, the missionary from Astracan,
as he passed through St. Petersburg on his return to England. ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev j jowett 14.htm

Luke of Prague and the High Church Reaction. 1473-1530.
... For six years the manses were closed, the Churches empty, the Pastors homeless,
the people scattered; and the Bishop hurried from glen to glen, held services ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vi luke of prague.htm

Off to vienna
... And some of the light and laughter of his face glowed 'for a moment in their dark
lives, as a gloomy glen in the forest is brightened up by a darting ray of ...
/.../chapter iv off to vienna.htm

The King --Continued.
... It had been welcomed with gladness by the villagers of Bethshemesh, who lifted their
eyes from their harvest work, and saw it borne up the glen from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xi the kingcontinued.htm

The Grave of John, and Another Grave
... These two rivers sprang from the same source, in a quiet glen far up among the hills;
lay in deep lagoons during their earlier course; leapt down in the same ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xv the grave of john.htm

The Outlaw
... Ye'll bury me 'twixt the brae and the burn, in a glen far away, Where I may hear
the heathcock craw, and the great harts bray; And gin my ghaist can walk ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the outlaw.htm

Glen (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A secluded and narrow valley; a dale; a depression
between hills. Multi-Version Concordance Glen (1 Occurrence). ...
/g/glen.htm - 6k

Glide (2 Occurrences)

/g/glide.htm - 8k

Valley (187 Occurrences)
... (3.) Ge, "a bursting," a "flowing together," a narrow glen or ravine, such as the
valley of the children of Hinnom (2 Kings 23:10); of Eshcol (Deuteronomy 1:24 ...
/v/valley.htm - 75k

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)
... It was destroyed along with the other cities of the plain. (2.) A valley or rugged
glen somewhere near Gibeah in Benjamin (1 Samuel 13:18). ...
/z/zeboim.htm - 11k

Gehenna (12 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (originally Ge bene Hinnom; ie, "the valley of the sons
of Hinnom"), a deep, narrow glen to the south of Jerusalem, where the ...
/g/gehenna.htm - 15k

Gleaning (10 Occurrences)
...glen'-ing (laqat, `alal): The custom of allowing the poor to follow the reapers
in the field and glean the fallen spears of grain is strikingly illustrated in ...
/g/gleaning.htm - 12k

Glee (2 Occurrences)

/g/glee.htm - 7k

Den (19 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Any snug or close retreat where one goes to be alone. 4. (n.) A narrow glen;
a ravine; a dell. 5. (vi) To live in, or as in, a den. Int. ...
/d/den.htm - 16k

Bottom (33 Occurrences)
... The prophet may have been wont to frequent the myrtle grove in the glen or bottoms,
in the neighborhood of Jerusalem, for meditation and prayer (BTP, II, 283). ...
/b/bottom.htm - 20k

Gilead (130 Occurrences)
... Hawthorn, mastic and arbutus abound, while many a glen and slope is shady with
shaggy oak woods, and, in the higher reaches, with pines. ...
/g/gilead.htm - 56k

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