Cave

Caves are a prominent feature of the limestone geology of Palestine and figure significantly throughout biblical history as places of refuge, burial, and habitation. The first cave mentioned in Scripture shelters Lot and his daughters after the destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19:30). The cave of Machpelah, purchased by Abraham from Ephron the Hittite, became the patriarchal burial ground for Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob (Genesis 23; 25:9; 49:31; 50:13). During Elijah's flight from Jezebel, he took refuge in a cave at Horeb where God met him with the still small voice (1 Kings 19:9). David used caves as hiding places from Saul — most notably the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1) and the cave at En-gedi where he spared Saul's life (1 Samuel 24:3). Jesus was buried in a hewn rock tomb, functionally a cave, from which he rose on the third day.