Refuge

Refuge - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

REF'UGE, n. [L. refugium, refugio; re and fugio, to flee.]

1. Shelter or protection from danger or distress.

- Rocks, dens and caves, but I in none of these find place or refuge.

We have made lies our refuge. Isa 28.

- We might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us. Heb 6.

2. That which shelters or protects from danger, distress or calamity; a strong hold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; any place inaccessible to an enemy.

The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats. Psa 104.

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed. Psa 9.

3. An expedient to secure protection or defense.

This last old man - their latest refuge was to send to him.

4. Expedient, in general.

Light must be supplied, among graceful refuges, by terracing any story in danger of darkness.

Cities of refuge, among the Israelites, certain cities appointed to secure the safety of such persons as might commit homicide without design. Of these there were three on each side of Jordan. Josh 20.

REF'UGE, v.t. To shelter; to protect.

Shelter - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

SHEL'TER, n. [L. celo.]

1. That which covers or defends from injury or annoyance. A house is a shelter from rain and other inclemencies of the weather; the foliage of a tree is a shelter from the rays of the sun.

The healing plant shall aid,

From storms a shelter, and from heat a shade. Pope.

2. The state of being covered and protected; protection; security.

Who into shelter takes their tender bloom. Young.

3. He that defends or guards from danger.

SHEL'TER, v.t.

1. To cover from violence, injury, annoyance or attack; as a valley sheltered from the north wind by a mountain.

Those ruins shelter'd once his sacred head. Dryden.

We besought the deep shelter to us. Milton.

2. To defend; to protect from danger; to secure or render safe; to harbor.

What endless shall you gain,

to save and shelter Troy's unhappy train? Dryden.

3. To betake to cover or a safe place.

They sheltered themselves under a rock. Abbot.

4. To cover from notice; to disguise for protection.

In vain I strove to check my growing flame,

Or shelter passion under friendship's name. Prior.

SHEL'TER, v.i. To take shelter.

There the Indian herdsman shunning heat,

Shelters in cool. Milton.

ref'-uj: A place of resort and safety. The principal words in the Old Testament are machceh (Ps 14:6; 46:1; 62:7,8; Isa 4:6, etc.), and manoc (2Sa 22:3; Ps 59:16, etc.), both applied chiefly to God as a "refuge" for His people. For the King James Version "refuge" in De 33:27, the Revised Version (British and American) has "dwelling-place," and in Ps 9:9, "high tower." Conversely, the Revised Version (British and American) has "refuge" for the King James Version "shelter" in Ps 61:3, and "hope" in Jer 17:17.

Definition

The term “refuge” refers to a place or condition of safety and protection. A “refugee” is someone who is seeking a safe place. A “shelter” refers to a place that can protect from weather or danger.

• In the Bible, God is often referred to as a refuge where his people can be safe, protected, and cared for.
• The term “city of refuge” in the Old Testament referred to one of several cities where a person who accidentally killed someone could go for protection from people who would attack them in revenge.
• A “shelter” is often a physical structure such as a building or roof that can provide protection to people or animals.
• Sometimes “shelter” means “protection,” as when Lot said that his guests were “under the shelter” of his roof. He was saying that they should be safe because he was taking responsibility to protect them as members of his household.

Translation Suggestions

• The term “refuge” could be translated as “safe place” or “place of protection.”
• “Refugees” are people leaving their home to escape from a dangerous situation, and could be translated as “aliens,” “homeless people,” or “exiles.”
• Depending on the context, the term “shelter” could be translated as “something that protects” or “protection” or “protected place.”
• If it refers to a physical structure, “shelter” could also be translated as “protective building” or “house of safety.”
• The phrase “into safe shelter” could be translated as “into a safe place” or “into a place that will protect.”
• To “find shelter” or to “take shelter” or to “take refuge” could be translated as to “find a place of safety” or to “put oneself in a protected place.”

Bible References

• 2 Samuel 22:3-4
• Deuteronomy 32:37-38
• Isaiah 23:14
• Jeremiah 16:19
• Numbers 35:24-25
• Psalm 46:1
• Psalms 28:8

Word Data

• Strong’s: H2620, H4268, H4498, H4585, H4733, H4869