Hold
The Meaning of Hold in Scripture
The word "hold" in biblical usage primarily refers to a stronghold, fortress, or fortified place. Modern translations often render it as "stronghold" for clarity. The term appears throughout the Old Testament historical books, particularly in connection with David's time as a fugitive from King Saul and his later military campaigns. In the New Testament, it takes on a metaphorical meaning in the book of Revelation.
David and the Strongholds
The concept of a "hold" is most prominent in the narratives about David. When fleeing from Saul, David took refuge in various strongholds throughout the wilderness of Judah and beyond. At the cave of Adullam, David gathered his followers, and he subsequently moved to "the hold" — likely a fortified position in the wilderness (1 Samuel 22:4-5). The prophet Gad later told David to leave the hold and return to the land of Judah.
David also used strongholds during his conflict with the Philistines. Second Samuel 5:17 records that when the Philistines came seeking David after he was anointed king, he "went down to the hold." The stronghold of Zion itself, which David captured from the Jebusites, became the foundation of his capital city (2 Samuel 5:7).
The Stronghold as a Place of Refuge
David's mighty warriors were associated with these strongholds. In 2 Samuel 23:14 and 1 Chronicles 11:16, David was in the hold while a Philistine garrison occupied Bethlehem. Three of his warriors broke through enemy lines to bring him water from the well of Bethlehem, demonstrating the loyalty these fortified camps inspired. The strongholds served not only as military positions but as gathering points for those loyal to David's cause (1 Chronicles 12:8, 16).
Hold in the Book of Revelation
In Revelation 18:2, the word "hold" takes on a different meaning. Describing the fall of Babylon, the text declares it has become "a hold of every unclean spirit" (KJV). Here the Greek word phulake means "prison" or "cage," depicting fallen Babylon as a place of confinement for demonic forces. Modern translations use "haunt" or "prison" to capture this meaning. The imagery conveys total spiritual desolation — a once-great city reduced to a dwelling place for evil.
Spiritual Strongholds
The biblical language of strongholds extends into spiritual imagery. The Psalms frequently celebrate God as a stronghold for His people (Psalm 18:2; Psalm 144:2). Paul uses the concept metaphorically when he writes about pulling down strongholds of wrong thinking (2 Corinthians 10:4). Whether physical or spiritual, the hold represents a place of strength, defense, and security.
Biblical Context
The word 'hold' (meaning stronghold) appears frequently in Judges 9:49, 1 Samuel 22:4-5, 24:22, 2 Samuel 5:17, 23:14, 1 Chronicles 11:16, and 12:16. In Revelation 18:2, it is used metaphorically for a prison of evil spirits. The concept threads through the David narratives and into the prophetic literature as both a physical and spiritual image.
Theological Significance
The concept of the stronghold teaches that God is the ultimate place of safety for His people. While David relied on physical holds during his times of danger, the Psalms he wrote transformed this experience into theology, declaring God Himself to be the believer's stronghold (Psalm 18:2). This dual meaning — physical refuge and spiritual trust in God — runs throughout Scripture.
Historical Background
Archaeological surveys in the Judean wilderness have identified numerous cave systems and fortified sites that may correspond to the strongholds mentioned in the David narratives. The terrain of the Dead Sea region and the Judean hills is honeycombed with caves and natural defensive positions. The fortress of Masada, though from a later period, illustrates the kind of stronghold that the biblical writers had in mind — natural rock formations enhanced with walls and defensive structures.