Judges 6:2

“And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel , etc.] They were too strong for them, and overcame them, and brought them into subjection to them, and no wonder, when the Lord delivered them into their hand: and because of the Midianites ; because of their usage of them, their manner of coming upon them yearly, and pillaging and plundering their substance, as after related: the children of Israel made them dens which are in the mountains ; the word for “dens” has the signification of light in it, and are so called either by an antiphrasis, because they were dark, or, as Kimchi thinks, because they had a window at the top of them, which let in the light f121 but Ben Gersom conjectures they…”

“made . . . dens . . . in the mountains and caves--not, of course, excavating them, for they were already, but making them fit for habitation.”

“The word rendered “dens” is only found in this passage. It is best explained of ravines hollowed out by torrents, which the Israelites made into hiding-places. return to 'Top of Page'”

“the hand: Lev 26:17; Deu 28:47, Deu 28:48 prevailed: Heb. was strong dens: Dr. Shaw says, that a great way on each side Joppa, on the sea coast, there is a range of mountains and precipices; and in these high situations are generally found the dens, holes, or caves, which are so frequently mentioned in Scripture; and which were formerly the lonesome retreats of the distressed Israelites. Sa1 13:6, Sa1 14:11; Heb 11:38; Rev 6:15 Judges 6:3”