CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Swamps</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/s/swamps.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/isaiah/14-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/s/swamps.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Swamps</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/s/swampland.htm" title="Swampland">◄</a> Swamps <a href="/topical/s/swamps_and_marshes.htm" title="Swamps and Marshes">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Swamps, as a geographical and ecological feature, are not frequently mentioned in the Bible. However, they are part of the broader category of wetlands, which include marshes and bogs. These areas are characterized by waterlogged soils and a variety of plant and animal life adapted to such conditions. In biblical times, swamps would have been seen as both a source of sustenance and a symbol of desolation, depending on the context.<br><br><b>Biblical References:</b><br><br>1. <b><a href="/ezekiel/47-11.htm">Ezekiel 47:11</a></b> · In the vision of the river flowing from the temple, Ezekiel describes the transformation of the land: "But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt." This passage highlights the distinction between areas that are revitalized by the life-giving water of the river and those that remain stagnant and salty. The swamps and marshes here symbolize places that are not touched by the healing and renewing power of God’s presence.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Isaiah 14:23</a></b> · In a prophecy against Babylon, Isaiah declares, "I will make her a place for owls and swamplands; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction," declares the LORD of Hosts. Swamps in this context are associated with desolation and abandonment, a fitting image for the judgment and ruin that will befall Babylon. The transformation of a once-great city into a swamp underscores the totality of divine judgment.<br><br><b>Symbolism and Interpretation:</b><br><br>In biblical literature, swamps often carry a dual symbolism. On one hand, they can represent fertility and life, as wetlands are rich ecosystems that support diverse forms of life. On the other hand, they can symbolize stagnation, desolation, and judgment, as seen in the prophetic imagery of Isaiah and Ezekiel. This duality reflects the broader biblical theme of life and death, blessing and curse, which runs throughout Scripture.<br><br><b>Cultural and Historical Context:</b><br><br>In the ancient Near East, swamps and marshes were common in certain regions, particularly around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. These areas were both feared and revered, as they could be treacherous to navigate but also provided resources such as reeds for building and fish for sustenance. The biblical authors, familiar with these landscapes, used them as powerful metaphors in their writings.<br><br><b>Theological Implications:</b><br><br>From a theological perspective, swamps can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition. Just as swamps can be transformed by the flow of fresh water, so too can human lives be renewed by the transformative power of God’s grace. Conversely, without this divine intervention, lives can remain stagnant and unproductive, much like the salty swamps in Ezekiel’s vision. This imagery serves as a reminder of the necessity of spiritual renewal and the consequences of remaining apart from God’s life-giving presence.<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/98.htm"><span class="l">98. agam -- a marsh, muddy pool</span></a><br><b>...</b> Word Origin from an unused word Definition a marsh, muddy pool NASB Word Usage<br> marshes (1), ponds (1), pool (4), pools (2), <b>swamps</b> (1). <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/98.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/1207.htm"><span class="l">1207. bitstsah -- a swamp</span></a><br><b>...</b> marsh. Word Origin from the same as bots Definition a swamp NASB Word Usage<br> marsh (2), <b>swamps</b> and marshes (1). swamp, mire. Intensive <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/1207.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/yonge/the_chosen_people/lesson_xv_alexander.htm"><span class="l">Alexander.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> He wished to turn the waters of the Euphrates back into their stream, and drain<br> the <b>swamps</b> into which they had spread; but Babylon was under the curse of God <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xv alexander.htm</font><p><a href="/library/smith/the_life_of_william_carey/chapter_iv_six_years_in.htm"><span class="l">Six Years in North Bengal --Missionary and Indigo Planter</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Sanskrit learning, where "to build me a hut and live like the natives," language<br> recalled to us by the words of the dying Livingstone in the <b>swamps</b> of Central <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter iv six years in.htm</font><p><a href="/library/kingsley/at_last/chapter_vii_the_high_woods.htm"><span class="l">The High Woods</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The trade-breeze, as it rose, brought off the <b>swamps</b> a sickly smell, suggestive<br> of the need of coffee, quinine, Angostura bitters, or some other febrifuge. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter vii the high woods.htm</font><p><a href="/library/smith/the_life_of_william_carey/chapter_xvi_careys_last_days.htm"><span class="l">Carey's Last Days</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Not in the penury of Hackleton and Moulton, not in the hardships of Calcutta and<br> the Soondarbans, not in the fevers of the <b>swamps</b> of Dinapoor, not in the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xvi careys last days.htm</font><p><a href="/library/wilmot-buxton/the_life_of_duty_a_years_plain_sermons_v_2/sermon_lxii_daily_bread.htm"><span class="l">Daily Bread.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> "From the bleak inhospitable wastes of Lapland to the burning plains of Central<br> India, from the muddy <b>swamps</b> of China to the billowy prairies of America, from <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lxii daily bread.htm</font><p><a href="/library/farrar/gathering_clouds_a_tale_of_the_days_of_st_chrysostom/chapter_xlv_episcopal_conspirators.htm"><span class="l">Episcopal Conspirators</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Men with the names of barbarous Egyptian gods, bishops of collections of mud huts<br> and crocodile <b>swamps</b> on the banks of the Nile, bishops ignorant of everything <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter xlv episcopal conspirators.htm</font><p><a href="/library/gordon/quiet_talks_about_jesus/outside_the_eden_gate.htm"><span class="l">Outside the Eden Gate.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The man seems to have gotten into the lowland road, and after a bit, struck<br> some marshes and <b>swamps</b>, with a good bit of thick gray fog. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/outside the eden gate.htm</font><p><a href="/library/sozomen/the_ecclesiastical_history_of_sozomenus/chapter_xx_persecution_of_the_egyptian.htm"><span class="l">Persecution of the Egyptian Monks, and of the Disciples of St. <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> not led to repentance by this miracle; on the contrary, they arrested these holy<br> men by night, and conveyed them to an island of Egypt, concealed in the <b>swamps</b> <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter xx persecution of the egyptian.htm</font><p><a href="/library/cassian/the_conferences_of_john_cassian/chapter_ix_how_valuable_to.htm"><span class="l">How Valuable to the Perfect is the Forgetfulness of Sin.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> the contemplation of purity, and especially in the case of one who is living in<br> solitude, as it entangles him in the stains of this world and <b>swamps</b> him in <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter ix how valuable to.htm</font><p><a href="/library/jowett/my_daily_meditation_for_the_circling_year/december_the_fourteenth_the_sacred.htm"><span class="l">December the Fourteenth the Sacred Use of Liberty</span></a> <br><b>...</b> In what way does he move because of the impact of my example? Towards liberty or<br> towards license? To the <b>swamps</b> of transgression or to the fields of holiness? <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../december the fourteenth the sacred.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/s/swamps.htm"><span class="l"><b>Swamps</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Swamps</b> (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 14:23 And I will<br> make you a heritage for the hedgehog, and pools of water <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/swamps.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/bittern.htm"><span class="l">Bittern (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> BITTERN. bit'-ern (qippodh; Latin Botaurus stellaris; Greek echinos): A nocturnal<br> member of the heron family, frequenting <b>swamps</b> and marshy places. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bittern.htm - 14k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/swan.htm"><span class="l">Swan (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/swan.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/wade.htm"><span class="l">Wade (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 5. (vt) To pass or cross by wading; as, he waded /he rivers and <b>swamps</b>. 6. (n.)<br> The act of wading. Multi-Version Concordance Wade (2 Occurrences). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/wade.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/waters.htm"><span class="l">Waters (386 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> to be hemmed in by the rugged mountains which border the narrow plain of Huleh on<br> both sides, plains that are made still narrower by the <b>swamps</b> surrounding the <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/waters.htm - 42k</font><p><a href="/topical/m/muck.htm"><span class="l">Muck (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2. (n.) Dung in a moist state; manure. 3. (n.) Vegetable mold mixed with earth,<br> as found in low, damp places and <b>swamps</b>. 4. (n.) Anything filthy or vile. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/m/muck.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/m/merom.htm"><span class="l">Merom (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> to be hemmed in by the rugged mountains which border the narrow plain of Huleh on<br> both sides, plains that are made still narrower by the <b>swamps</b> surrounding the <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/m/merom.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/bulrush.htm"><span class="l">Bulrush (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> It is no longer found in Egypt, but grows luxuriantly in Palestine, in the marshes<br> of the Huleh, and in the <b>swamps</b> at the north end of the Lake of Gennesaret. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bulrush.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/babylonia.htm"><span class="l">Babylonia (17 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> During some months of the year, when the inundations take place, large portions<br> of the land are partially covered with <b>swamps</b> and marshes. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/babylonia.htm - 75k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/swampland.htm"><span class="l">Swampland (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/swampland.htm - 6k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Swamps (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Isaiah 14:23</a></span><br />And I will make you a heritage for the hedgehog, and pools of water: and I will go through it with the brush of destruction, says the Lord of armies.<br /><span class="source">(See NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/ezekiel/47-11.htm">Ezekiel 47:11</a></span><br />But the miry places of it, and its marshes, shall not be healed; they shall be given up to salt.<br /><span class="source">(See NAS RSV NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/s/swamps.htm">Swamps</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/chameleon.htm">Chameleon (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/mole.htm">Mole (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gier-eagle.htm">Gier-eagle (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gier.htm">Gier (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/ibis.htm">Ibis (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/trumpeter.htm">Trumpeter (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pelican.htm">Pelican (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pen.htm">Pen (16 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/carrion.htm">Carrion (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/swamps.htm">Swamps (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/land.htm">Land (19790 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sware.htm">Sware (90 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eagle.htm">Eagle (27 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/philippians.htm">Philippians (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/discomfiture.htm">Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/s/swampland.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Swampland"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Swampland" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/s/swamps_and_marshes.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Swamps and Marshes"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Swamps and Marshes" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>