In biblical literature, the concept of "overhanging" can be understood both literally and metaphorically, often symbolizing protection, impending judgment, or divine presence. The term itself may not frequently appear in English translations of the Bible, but the imagery and themes associated with overhanging structures or elements are prevalent throughout the Scriptures.

Protection and Shelter

One of the primary associations with overhanging elements in the Bible is the idea of protection and shelter. In the natural world, an overhanging rock or tree can provide refuge from the elements. This imagery is used in the Psalms to describe God's protective nature. For instance, Psalm 91:1 states, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty." Here, the "shadow" can be seen as an overhanging presence that offers safety and security to those who seek refuge in God.

Divine Presence

The overhanging cloud is another significant biblical image, representing the divine presence of God among His people. In the wilderness, the Israelites were guided by a pillar of cloud by day, which was a manifestation of God's presence and guidance. Exodus 13:21 recounts, "And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night." The overhanging cloud served as a constant reminder of God's nearness and His role as their protector and guide.

Impending Judgment

Conversely, overhanging can also symbolize impending judgment or danger. In prophetic literature, the imagery of an overhanging threat is often used to convey the seriousness of God's impending judgment on nations or individuals who have turned away from His commandments. For example, the book of Amos speaks of the "day of the LORD" as a time of darkness and not light, a day that looms over the people as a consequence of their disobedience (Amos 5:18-20).

Architectural Imagery

In the context of biblical architecture, overhanging structures such as roofs or upper rooms are mentioned in various passages. These structures often served practical purposes, such as providing shade or additional living space. In the New Testament, the upper room where Jesus and His disciples shared the Last Supper (Mark 14:15) is an example of an overhanging space used for significant events.

Symbolism in Parables

Jesus often used everyday imagery in His parables to convey spiritual truths. While not explicitly mentioned as "overhanging," the concept can be inferred in parables that discuss the protection and care of God, such as the parable of the mustard seed, where the tree grows large enough for birds to perch in its branches (Matthew 13:31-32). The branches provide an overhanging shelter, symbolizing the kingdom of God as a place of refuge and growth.

In summary, the theme of overhanging in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from divine protection and presence to warnings of judgment. It serves as a powerful metaphor for God's relationship with His people, illustrating both His nurturing care and His righteous authority.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Overhang.2859. kolpos -- the bosom
... Definition: (a) sing. and plur: bosom; (sinus) the overhanging fold of the
garment used as a pocket, (b) a bay, gulf. 2859 -- properly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2859.htm - 6k

2911. kremnos -- a steep bank
... a steep bank, cliff. From kremannumi; overhanging, ie A precipice -- steep place.
see GREEK kremannumi. (kremnou) -- 3 Occurrences. 2910, 2911. kremnos. 2912 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2911.htm - 6k

3499. yether -- remainder, excess, preeminence
... From yathar; properly, an overhanging, ie (by implication) an excess, superiority,
remainder; also a small rope (as hanging free) -- + abundant, cord, exceeding ...
/hebrew/3499.htm - 5k

4947. mashqoph -- probably lintel (of a door)
... lintel. From shaqaph in its original sense of overhanging; a lintel -- lintel. see
HEBREW shaqaph. 4946, 4947. mashqoph. 4948 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4947.htm - 6k

Supposing Him to be the Gardener
... Screening myself from the heat of the sun under the overhanging boughs of an olive,
I cast my eyes upon palms and bananas, roses and camellias, oranges and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/supposing him to be the.htm

Westminster Abbey.
... off to our quaint old city of Chester to gaze on its old girdle of walls and towers;
Roman, Mediaeval, Caroline; its curious 'Rows' of overhanging houses; its ...
/.../kingsley/lectures delivered in america in 1874/lecture i westminster abbey.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... greatness of a few among them. At the close they appear like an overhanging
"cloud" of witnesses for God. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

The Young Titus
... Then a light click of a hoof attracted their attention to the bridle-path immediately
under the overhanging battlements. There a solitary horseman rode. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter ix the young titus.htm

The Fig-Tree.
... The adjoining village of Bethphage derived its name from the Green Fig.[29] Indeed,
"fig-trees may still be seen overhanging the ordinary road from Jerusalem ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xix the fig-tree.htm

Closing Hours.
... the point of Kerak, the capital of Moab, and future fortress of the Crusaders"and
then, at times all wrapt in deep haze, the mountains overhanging the valley ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xx closing hours.htm

"The Pharaoh Drew Nigh"
... The great belt of disturbed earth wheeled to the south, and as far as Kenkenes could
see there was the same luminous veil of dust overhanging it, that he had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xliii the pharaoh drew.htm

The Valley of Achor
... The narrow gorge stretches before us, with its dark overhanging cliffs that almost
shut out the sky; the path is rough and set with sharp pebbles; it is narrow ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the valley of achor.htm

The Translation of Elijah and the Ascension of Christ
... There, on that overhanging peak, the lawgiver whose work he was continuing, and
with whom he was to be so strangely associated on the Mount of Transfiguration ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the translation of elijah and.htm

The Name of the Place Where John Baptized is not Bethany, as in ...
... that Gadara is a town of Jud??a, in the neighbourhood of which are the well-known
hot springs, and that there is no lake there with overhanging banks, nor any ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/24 the name of the.htm

Overhanging (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Overhang. Multi-Version
Concordance Overhanging (6 Occurrences). Exodus 26:12 The ...
/o/overhanging.htm - 8k

Narrow (21 Occurrences)
... 14:4 Now between the narrow roads over the mountains by which Jonathan was making
his way to the Philistines' forces, there was a sharp overhanging rock on one ...
/n/narrow.htm - 14k

Overlapping (1 Occurrence)
... Exodus 26:12 And as for the overhanging part that remaineth of the curtains of the
tent, the half curtain that remaineth over shall hang over the back of the ...
/o/overlapping.htm - 6k

Overhangs (1 Occurrence)

/o/overhangs.htm - 6k

Overhang (1 Occurrence)

/o/overhang.htm - 7k

Willows (5 Occurrences)
... the reference in Psalm 137. This tree is frequently found "on the coast,
overhanging wells and pools. There is a conspicuous tree ...
/w/willows.htm - 11k

Impending (2 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Impend. 2. (a.) Hanging over; overhanging; suspended so as to menace;
imminent; threatening. Multi-Version Concordance Impending (2 Occurrences). ...
/i/impending.htm - 7k

Fig-tree (33 Occurrences)
... Such references as Mac 4:4; Zechariah 3:10, etc., probably are to this custom rather
than to the not uncommon one of having a fig-tree overhanging a dwelling. ...
/f/fig-tree.htm - 26k

Figtree
... Such references as Mac 4:4; Zechariah 3:10, etc., probably are to this custom rather
than to the not uncommon one of having a fig-tree overhanging a dwelling. ...
/f/figtree.htm - 15k

Remnant (157 Occurrences)
... For "remnant" the Revised Version (British and American) has "overhanging part"
(Exodus 26:12), "rest" (Leviticus 14:18, etc.); on the other hand gives "remnant ...
/r/remnant.htm - 43k

Overhanging: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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