Understanding βόθυνος (bothunos) Strong’s G999: The Dangerous Pit that Reveals Divine Protection in Biblical Symbolism

Pronunciation Guide: BOH-thoo-nos (βό-θυ-νος)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G999: βόθυνος (bothunos) refers to a pit, hole, or ditch in the ground that posed a significant danger to both people and livestock in ancient times. This term specifically denotes an excavated depression or cavity that could serve as a trap, a place for disposing waste, or a natural hazard in the landscape. In biblical usage, it often symbolizes danger, entrapment, or potential destruction from which divine protection is needed.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Noun (masculine)
• Origin: From a derivative of βαθύς (bathus), meaning “deep”
• Primary usage: Found in narrative sections and teaching parables
• Occurs in contexts of warnings, illustrations, and metaphors for danger
• Used in everyday agricultural and rural settings

βόθυνος Morphology:

• βόθυνος (nominative singular) – a pit
• βόθυνον (accusative singular) – a pit (as direct object)
• βόθυνοι (nominative plural) – pits
• βόθυνους (accusative plural) – pits (as direct objects)
• βόθυνῳ (dative singular) – in/with/by a pit

Origin & History

The term βόθυνος has its roots in ancient Greek vocabulary, derived from βαθύς (bathus), meaning “deep” or “profound.” This etymological connection emphasizes the hazardous depth of such pits, which made them particularly dangerous. In classical Greek literature, the word appears in Aristophanes’ works, where it often referred to trenches dug for military purposes or waste disposal pits outside city walls.

In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, βόθυνος is used to translate several Hebrew terms for pits, including בּוֹר (bor) and שַׁחַת (shachath). This usage is particularly notable in passages like Psalm 7:15 (LXX 7:16), where the wicked dig a βόθυνος only to fall into it themselves—a metaphor for self-inflicted destruction. The term carried connotations of both literal danger and metaphorical traps throughout ancient Mediterranean literature, making it a powerful symbol in both Jewish and early Christian writings.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A man-made pit or ditch dug for a specific purpose (waste disposal, water collection, or trapping)
• A natural depression or hole in the ground that posed a hazard to travelers and animals
• A symbolic representation of danger, entrapment, or destruction in biblical metaphors
• A deep cavity that required caution and awareness to avoid falling into

βόθυνος Translation Options:

• Pit – The most common translation, emphasizing the excavated nature and potential danger
• Ditch – Highlights the linear, man-made aspect when used for drainage or boundaries
• Hole – Focuses on the opening in the ground without specifying purpose or origin
• Trench – Appropriate when discussing deeper, more deliberately constructed excavations, especially in agricultural contexts
• Cistern – When the context suggests water collection as the primary purpose, though less common

Biblical Usage

The term βόθυνος appears only three times in the New Testament, but each instance carries significant meaning. Its most notable appearance is in Matthew 12:11, where Yeshua (Jesus) asks, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit [βόθυνον] on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out?” This teaching moment illustrates the Messiah’s emphasis on compassion over rigid legalism, using the common rural hazard as a relatable example for His audience.

The same word appears in Yeshua’s warning about blind guides in Matthew 15:14 and Luke 6:39, where He cautions that “if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit [βόθυνον].” This metaphorical use transforms the physical danger of a pit into a powerful spiritual warning about false teaching and spiritual misdirection.

Key biblical appearances include:

• “And He answered them, ‘Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit [βόθυνον] on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?'” Matthew 12:11
• “Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit [βόθυνον].” Matthew 15:14
• “And He also spoke a parable to them: ‘A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit [βόθυνον]?'” Luke 6:39

Cultural Insights

In the agricultural society of ancient Israel, pits (βόθυνος) were a common feature of the landscape and daily life. Landowners would dig pits for various purposes, including water collection, grain storage, and even as traps for predatory animals. These pits represented a genuine hazard, especially at night or during inclement weather when visibility was poor. The cultural understanding of a βόθυνος included the recognition that these were not merely inconveniences but potentially life-threatening dangers for both humans and livestock.

The Jewish legal tradition reflected in the Mishnah contains extensive discussions about liability for damages caused by unprotected pits. In Bava Kamma 5:5, rabbinic law established that “the pit owner is liable from the beginning of its digging.” This demonstrates how seriously such hazards were taken in Jewish society and explains why Yeshua’s audience would have immediately understood the urgency of rescuing an animal from a pit, even on Shabbat. The use of βόθυνος in the Messiah’s teaching thus drew on deeply ingrained cultural understandings about danger, responsibility, and the value of life—themes that resonated powerfully with His first-century Jewish listeners.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of βόθυνος extends beyond its literal meaning to become a powerful metaphor for spiritual dangers. When Yeshua employs this term in His parables and teachings, He transforms the common physical hazard into a representation of spiritual pitfalls that threaten believers. The pit becomes symbolic of the dangers of false teaching, spiritual blindness, and separation from God’s truth.

In the broader biblical narrative, pits often represent places of testing, suffering, or divine deliverance. Consider Joseph being thrown into a pit (Genesis 37:24), Daniel in the lions’ den (Daniel 6), or Jeremiah lowered into a cistern (Jeremiah 38:6). While these Old Testament examples use different Hebrew terms, they establish a theological framework that Yeshua draws upon when using βόθυνος. The divine rescue from these literal and metaphorical pits reveals יהוה (Yahweh)’s character as Protector and Deliverer. When the Messiah speaks of rescuing a sheep from a βόθυνος on the Sabbath, He isn’t merely making a point about Sabbath observance—He’s revealing the Father’s heart of compassion and His own identity as the Good Shepherd who rescues His sheep from dangerous pits of all kinds.

Personal Application

The image of βόθυνος challenges us to examine the “pits” in our own spiritual journeys. We may encounter pits of doubt, discouragement, or deception that threaten to trap us and impede our walk with God. Like the sheep in Yeshua’s example, we sometimes find ourselves in dangerous situations from which we cannot extricate ourselves—requiring the Shepherd’s rescuing hand. The good news is that our God specializes in pit rescues!

Consider the pits you might be facing today. Are you struggling with doubt, fear, or confusion? Perhaps you’re following guides who themselves cannot see clearly. The Messiah’s teaching about βόθυνος reminds us to be discerning about whom we follow and to stay close to the One who sees all pits ahead of time. When we do fall, we can take comfort in knowing that our Shepherd never hesitates to reach down into the deepest pits to lift us out—not just on the Sabbath, but every day. His compassion exceeds all religious regulations, and His rescuing power transcends all depths of human predicament.

Related Words

• λάκκος (lakkos, pronounced LAK-kos) – A cistern, reservoir, or pit, often used for storing water or as a prison; this term emphasizes containment rather than hazard. See G3042
• φρέαρ (phrear, pronounced FREH-ar) – A well or shaft, typically constructed for accessing underground water sources; unlike βόθυνος, this usually represents a beneficial structure rather than a danger. See G5421
• χάσμα (chasma, pronounced KHAS-ma) – A chasm or gulf, representing an uncrossable divide or separation; this term suggests a natural, impassable gap rather than a constructed pit. See G5490
• ὄρυγμα (orygma, pronounced OR-eeg-ma) – An excavation or dug-out place; focuses more on the action of digging than the resulting hazard. Not assigned a separate Strong’s number.
• σκάμμα (skamma, pronounced SKAHM-ma) – A dug place, particularly in athletic contexts like a jumping pit; lacks the dangerous connotations of βόθυνος. Not assigned a separate Strong’s number.

Did you Know?

• Did you know that in ancient Israel, landowners were legally required to mark or cover pits (βόθυνος) on their property? Exodus 21:33-34 establishes liability for unprotected pits, requiring compensation for any animal that fell into them. This legal background adds weight to Yeshua’s rhetorical question about rescuing sheep from pits on the Sabbath—His audience would have recognized not just the compassionate impulse but the legal and ethical responsibility to protect vulnerable creatures from such dangers.
• Did you know that archaeological excavations throughout Israel have uncovered numerous ancient pits that match the description of βόθυνος? These excavated pits served various purposes, from grain storage to water collection to disposal sites. Some bell-shaped pits discovered in ancient settlements were over 6 feet deep and 4-5 feet wide—large enough to trap both humans and animals. This archaeological evidence helps us visualize the very real dangers that informed Yeshua’s teaching metaphors.
• Did you know that the concept of a βόθυνος took on apocalyptic significance in some early Jewish literature? In texts like 1 Enoch, pits become representations of divine judgment and places where fallen angels and evil spirits are imprisoned. This expanded symbolism shows how the ordinary agricultural hazard evolved into a powerful spiritual metaphor that would have resonated with many of Yeshua’s listeners beyond the simple agricultural context.

Remember This

βόθυνος reminds us that in our darkest and most trapped moments, the Good Shepherd reaches down into our pits with compassionate hands, demonstrating that divine rescue transcends religious restrictions and reveals the heart of God’s saving love.