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<!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: Bikat-aven</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/b/bikat-aven.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><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/amos/1-5.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/b/bikat-aven.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> > Bikat-aven</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/naves/b/bigvai--head_of_jewish_family.htm" title="Bigvai: Head of Jewish Family">◄</a> Bikat-aven <a href="/topical/b/bikathaven.htm" title="Bikathaven">►</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="#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>Bikat-aven, also referred to as the "Valley of Aven," is a location mentioned in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. The name "Aven" itself is often associated with idolatry or vanity, derived from the Hebrew word for "wickedness" or "nothingness." This term is used in various contexts throughout the Scriptures to denote places or practices that are contrary to the worship of Yahweh.<br><br><b>Biblical Reference:</b><br><br>The primary reference to Bikat-aven is found in the book of Hosea. <a href="/hosea/10-8.htm">Hosea 10:8</a> states, "The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed; thorns and thistles will grow over their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, 'Cover us!' and to the hills, 'Fall on us!'" . In this passage, the prophet Hosea is delivering a message of judgment against the northern kingdom of Israel, specifically targeting the centers of idolatrous worship.<br><br><b>Geographical and Historical Context:</b><br><br>Bikat-aven is often identified with the region of Beth-aven, which is located near Bethel. Bethel was a significant religious site in the northern kingdom, and it became a center for idol worship after the division of the united monarchy. King Jeroboam I established golden calves in Bethel and Dan to prevent the Israelites from traveling to Jerusalem for worship (<a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28-29</a>). This act of apostasy led to the condemnation of these sites by the prophets.<br><br>The term "Aven" in Bikat-aven underscores the spiritual corruption and idolatry that plagued Israel during this period. The valley, therefore, symbolizes the emptiness and futility of worshiping false gods, contrasting with the true worship of Yahweh as prescribed in the Mosaic Law.<br><br><b>Theological Significance:</b><br><br>From a theological perspective, Bikat-aven serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. The prophetic denunciation of Bikat-aven highlights the seriousness with which God views idolatry and the inevitable judgment that follows such rebellion. The imagery of thorns and thistles overtaking the altars signifies the desolation and ruin that result from forsaking the covenant relationship with God.<br><br>The call for the mountains and hills to cover the people reflects a desire to escape the impending wrath of God, a theme that resonates with the broader biblical narrative of divine judgment and mercy. This imagery is echoed in the New Testament, where similar language is used to describe the final judgment (<a href="/luke/23-30.htm">Luke 23:30</a>; <a href="/revelation/6-16.htm">Revelation 6:16</a>).<br><br><b>Contemporary Reflection:</b><br><br>In contemporary Christian thought, Bikat-aven can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual dangers of idolatry in any form, whether it be the worship of material possessions, power, or other modern "idols." The call to remain faithful to God and to reject the empty promises of false gods remains relevant for believers today, urging a return to the wholehearted worship of the one true God.<a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Bikat-aven (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/amos/1-5.htm">Amos 1:5</a></span><br />And I have broken the bar of Damascus, And cut off the inhabitant from <span class="boldtext">Bikat-Aven</span>, And a holder of a sceptre from Beth-Eden, And removed have been the people of Aram to Kir, said Jehovah.<br /><span class="source">(YLT)</span><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/b/bikat-aven.htm"><span class="l"><b>Bikat</b>-<b>aven</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>Bikat</b>-<b>aven</b>. Bigva'i, <b>Bikat</b>-<b>aven</b>. Bikathaven . Multi-Version<br> Concordance <b>Bikat</b>-<b>aven</b> (1 Occurrence). Amos 1:5 And I have <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bikat-aven.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/bikathaven.htm"><span class="l">Bikathaven</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bikathaven.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/bigva'i.htm"><span class="l">Bigva'i (6 Occurrences)</span></a><br>Bigva'i. Bigvai, Bigva'i. <b>Bikat</b>-<b>aven</b> . Multi-Version Concordance <b>...</b> (See RSV).<br> Nehemiah 10:16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin; (See RSV). Bigvai, Bigva'i. <b>Bikat</b>-<b>aven</b><b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bigva'i.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/h/holder.htm"><span class="l">Holder (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Amos 1:5 And I have broken the bar of Damascus, And cut off the inhabitant from<br><b>Bikat</b>-<b>Aven</b>, And a holder of a sceptre from Beth-Eden, And removed have been the <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/h/holder.htm - 7k</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="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/b/bikat-aven.htm">Bikat-aven</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/plain.htm">Plain (113 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bikat-aven.htm">Bikat-aven (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bikath-aven.htm">Bikath-aven (1 Occurrence)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/naves/b/bigvai--head_of_jewish_family.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Bigvai: Head of Jewish Family"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Bigvai: Head of Jewish Family" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/b/bikathaven.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Bikathaven"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Bikathaven" /></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>