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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: Besom</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/b/besom.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/b/besom.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> > Besom</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/b/besodiah.htm" title="Besodiah">◄</a> Besom <a href="/topical/b/besor.htm" title="Besor">►</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="#smi" title="Smith's Bible Dictionary">Smith's</a> • <a href="#amt" title="American Tract Society Bible Dictionary">ATS</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#eas" title="Easton's Bible Dictionary">Easton's</a> • <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <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>The term "besom" appears in the Bible as a metaphorical expression, primarily used to convey the idea of sweeping away or cleansing. In the context of Scripture, a besom is understood to be a broom, an instrument used for sweeping. The imagery of a besom is employed to illustrate divine judgment and the thorough removal of sin or impurity.<br><br><b>Biblical Reference:</b><br><br>The most notable reference to a besom is found in the book of Isaiah. In <a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Isaiah 14:23</a> , the prophet declares God's judgment upon Babylon: "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. Here, the "broom of destruction" symbolizes the complete and utter devastation that God will bring upon Babylon as a consequence of its pride and wickedness. The besom, in this context, signifies the thoroughness and inevitability of divine judgment.<br><br><b>Symbolism and Interpretation:</b><br><br>In biblical symbolism, the besom represents the act of cleansing or purging. It is an instrument of removal, used to clear away debris, dirt, or anything deemed unclean. The use of a besom in Isaiah underscores the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, emphasizing that nothing will be left untouched or unaddressed. This imagery serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness and His intolerance of sin.<br><br>From a theological perspective, the besom can also be seen as a symbol of God's purifying work in the lives of believers. Just as a broom sweeps away physical dirt, God's sanctifying power removes spiritual impurities, refining and transforming His people into vessels of honor. This process of sanctification is ongoing and necessary for those who seek to live in accordance with God's will.<br><br><b>Historical and Cultural Context:</b><br><br>In ancient times, a besom would have been a common household tool, made from twigs or straw bound together. Its function as a cleaning instrument would have been well understood by the original audience of Isaiah's prophecy. The use of such a familiar object to convey a profound spiritual truth would have resonated deeply with the people, making the message of judgment both relatable and impactful.<br><br><b>Application:</b><br><br>The imagery of the besom serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the certainty of divine judgment. It calls believers to examine their own lives, to seek God's cleansing, and to live in a manner that reflects His holiness. The besom also encourages the faithful to trust in God's justice, knowing that He will ultimately sweep away all that is evil and establish His righteous kingdom.<br><br>In summary, the besom in Scripture is a vivid symbol of God's judgment and purification. It illustrates the thoroughness with which God deals with sin and serves as a call to holiness for all who follow Him.<a name="eas" id="eas"></a><div class="vheading2">Easton's Bible Dictionary</div>The rendering of a Hebrew word meaning sweeper, occurs only in Isaiah 14:23, of the sweeping away, the utter ruin, of Babylon. <a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>n.</I>) A brush of twigs for sweeping; a broom; anything which sweeps away or destroys.<p>2. (<I>v. t.</I>) To sweep, as with a besom.<a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">BESOM</span><p>be'-zum: Occurs only once in Scripture: "I will sweep it with the besom of destruction" (<a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Isaiah 14:23</a>). Refers to what was in store for Babylon. The Hebrew word maT'ate', rendered "besom," is close of kin to the one (ti'te'thiha) rendered "sweep." In early English "besom" was synonymous with "broom," and is still so used in some parts of England.<p><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/4292.htm"><span class="l">4292. matate -- broom, <b>besom</b></span></a><br><b>...</b> 4291, 4292. matate. 4293 . broom, <b>besom</b>. Transliteration: matate Phonetic<br> Spelling: (mat-at-ay') Short Definition: broom. <b>...</b> <b>besom</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/4292.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/tertullian/on_modesty/chapter_ix_certain_general_principles_of.htm"><span class="l">Certain General Principles of Parabolic Interpretation These <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Why "an hundred sheep?" and why, to be sure, "ten drachmas?" And what is that "<b>besom</b>?"<br> Necessary it was that He who was desiring to express the extreme <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter ix certain general principles of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/city_of_god/chapter_9_concerning_the_special_offices.htm"><span class="l">Concerning the Special Offices of the Gods.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> from entering, because neither are trees cut down or pruned without a hatchet, neither<br> is grain ground without a pestle, nor corn heaped up without a <b>besom</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 9 concerning the special offices.htm</font><p><a href="/library/macdonald/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind/chapter_4_and_as_she.htm"><span class="l">And as She Stood Looking Towards London, Diamond Saw that She was <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> From high over his head came the voice of North Wind, answering him, gently"-.<br> "The noise of my <b>besom</b>. <b>...</b> "Yes; I go round and round with my great <b>besom</b>.". <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 4 and as she.htm</font><p><a href="/library/killen/the_ancient_church/preface.htm"><span class="l">Preface.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Doctor Cureton, are utterly spurious, and that they should be swept away from among<br> the genuine remains of early Church literature with the <b>besom</b> of scorn. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/preface.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_h/flimsy_garments.htm"><span class="l">Flimsy Garments</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The flimsy foul thing is swept away by God's <b>besom</b> sooner or later. A<br> web indeed! but they will never make a garment out of it. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/flimsy garments.htm</font><p><a href="/library/hippolytus/the_refutation_of_all_heresies/chapter_xxii_the_sayings_of_pythagoras.htm"><span class="l">The "Sayings" of Pythagoras.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> sword is the uttered expression. "Do not trample on a <b>besom</b>;" [665] (meaning,)<br> despise not a small matter. "Plant not a palm tree <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxii the sayings of pythagoras.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_4_1858/the_destroyer_destroyed.htm"><span class="l">The Destroyer Destroyed</span></a> <br><b>...</b> far as he can, shouteth for joy when he witnesseth how, by one fell deed of his,<br> one piece of treachery, he hath swept the world with the <b>besom</b> of destruction <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the destroyer destroyed.htm</font><p><a href="/library/barrows/companion_to_the_bible/chapter_xi_remaining_books_of.htm"><span class="l">Remaining Books of the Old Testament.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> dwelt in from generation to generation." "I will also make it a possession for the<br> bittern and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the <b>besom</b> of destruction <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xi remaining books of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/various/select_masterpieces_of_biblical_literature/x_isaiahs.htm"><span class="l">Isaiah's</span></a> <br><b>...</b> I will also make it a possession for the porcupine, and pools of water: and I will<br> sweep it with the <b>besom</b> of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/x isaiahs.htm</font><p><a href="/library/kingsley/historical_lectures_and_essays/cyrus_the_servant_of-the_lord.htm"><span class="l">Cyrus, the Servant Of-The Lord {4}</span></a> <br><b>...</b> only for awhile, by men who felt that they had a commission from the God of light<br> and truth and purity, to sweep out all that with the <b>besom</b> of destruction. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/cyrus the servant of-the lord.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/b/besom.htm"><span class="l"><b>Besom</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1. (n.) A brush of twigs for sweeping; a broom; anything which sweeps away or destroys.<br> 2. (vt) To sweep, as with a <b>besom</b>. <b>...</b> Standard Bible Encyclopedia. <b>BESOM</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/besom.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/besor.htm"><span class="l">Besor (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/besor.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/besodiah.htm"><span class="l">Besodiah (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/besodiah.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/bittern.htm"><span class="l">Bittern (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Isaiah 14:23 I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water:<br> and I will sweep it with the <b>besom</b> of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bittern.htm - 14k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://clyx.com/term/besom.htm">Besom: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><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">Besom (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Isaiah 14:23</a></span><br />I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the <span class="boldtext">besom</span> of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.<br /><span class="source">(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/b/besom.htm">Besom</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/torrent.htm">Torrent (49 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/ravine.htm">Ravine (26 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/exhausted.htm">Exhausted (26 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/brook.htm">Brook (75 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/stream.htm">Stream (96 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/faint.htm">Faint (76 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/ziklag.htm">Ziklag (13 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/besought.htm">Besought (57 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/greeted.htm">Greeted (17 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/welfare.htm">Welfare (32 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/weariness.htm">Weariness (44 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/raisins.htm">Raisins (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pursueth.htm">Pursueth (28 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/besom.htm">Besom (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/approacheth.htm">Approacheth (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/saluted.htm">Saluted (11 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pursuit.htm">Pursuit (35 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/asketh.htm">Asketh (40 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/couldn't.htm">Couldn't (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/river.htm">River (189 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/approached.htm">Approached (61 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pursued.htm">Pursued (75 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/abode.htm">Abode (112 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/continued.htm">Continued (148 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/abide.htm">Abide (162 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/b/besodiah.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Besodiah"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Besodiah" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/b/besor.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Besor"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Besor" /></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 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