Ditch

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Ditch ( βόθυνος,  Matthew 15:14,  Luke 6:39; rendered ‘pit’  Matthew 12:11).—The parabolic language of our Lord in the first two parallel passages is suggested by the frequency of danger from unguarded wells, quarries, and holes. Into these the blind easily fell; and the risk increased if the leader of the blind were himself blind. The metaphor has been interpreted as referring to Gehenna: more probably it refers simply to danger of hurt, or even ruin, from wilful or careless perversion of the truth leading to moral wandering and fall. For the idea, cf.  Proverbs 19:27 ‘Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err,’ and St. Paul’s taunt of the Jew as ‘a guide of the blind’ ( Romans 2:19).

R. Macpherson.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Βόθυνος (Strong'S #999 — Noun Masculine — bothunos — both'-oo-nos )

any kind of "deep hole or pit" (probably connected with bathos, "deep"), is translated "ditch" in the AV of  Matthew 15:14;  Luke 6:39 , RV, "pit" in each place, as in both versions of  Matthew 12:11 . See Pit.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) A trench made in the earth by digging, particularly a trench for draining wet land, for guarding or fencing inclosures, or for preventing an approach to a town or fortress. In the latter sense, it is called also a moat or a fosse.

(2): ( v. t.) To surround with a ditch.

(3): ( v. t.) To throw into a ditch; as, the engine was ditched and turned on its side.

(4): ( v. i.) To dig a ditch or ditches.

(5): ( v. t.) To dig a ditch or ditches in; to drain by a ditch or ditches; as, to ditch moist land.

(6): ( n.) Any long, narrow receptacle for water on the surface of the earth.

King James Dictionary

DITCH, n. G.

1. A trench in the earth made by digging, particularly a trench for draining wet land, or for making a fence to guard inclosures, or for preventing an enemy from approaching a town or fortress. In the latter sense, it is called also a foss or moat, and is dug round the rampart or wall between the scarp and counterscarp. 2. Any long, hollow receptacle of water.

DITCH, To dig or make a ditch or ditches.

DITCH,

1. To dig a ditch or ditches in to drain by a ditch as, to ditch moist land. 2. To surround with a ditch.

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Job 9:31 (a) This is an expression which describes the utterly abject condition of one whom GOD casts down in derision and despair.

 Psalm 7:15 (a) Here is a figure of speech to describe the trap made by the enemies of GOD's children into which they themselves fall.

 Proverbs 23:27 (a) This is a terrible description and indictment of an evil woman. She is compared to a place of degradation and shame.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

dich  : The word is used indiscriminately in the King James Version to represent at least three different ideas: a conduit or trench ( 2 Kings 3:16 ); a reservoir or cistern; or simply a pit or hole in the ground. In the Revised Version (British and American) this distinction is observed more carefully. Compare  Job 9:31;  Psalm 7:15 ("pit"), and   Isaiah 22:11 ("reservoir"), the former meaning a pit or any similar place of destruction or corruption; the latter a reservoir or cistern of water. The New Testament usage (  Matthew 15:14 the King James Version) corresponds somewhat with the former. See also   2 Kings 3:16 ("trenches").

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( גֵּב , geb, a pit [as rendered in Jeremiah 10:31] or trench for cistern- water,  2 Kings 3:16; מִקְוָה , mikvah', a collection or pool of water,  Isaiah 22:11; שִׁוּחָה shuchah',  Proverbs 23:27, or שִׁחִת shachaath,  Job 9:31, a pit, as elsewhere rendered, or hole in the ground, either for holding surplus water or for catching animals; like the Greek Βόθυνος ,  Matthew 15:14;  Luke 6:39). (See Cistern); (See Pool).