📖 Biblical Definition
A pit, in Scripture, is a deep hole in the earth — and the literal image becomes a recurring figure for death, Sheol, and ultimate divine judgment. Literally: Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers (Genesis 37:24); Jeremiah was lowered into Malchiah’s muddy cistern (Jeremiah 38:6). Figuratively: "I waited patiently for the LORD... He brought me up also out of an horrible pit" (Psalm 40:1-2); the wicked "made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made" (Psalm 7:15). The "pit" or "abyss" of Revelation 9 and 20 is the prison of demonic powers, sealed and bottomless. Christ holds its keys (Revelation 1:18); no one comes out unauthorized.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
PIT, n.
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1. An artificial cavity made in the earth, narrow compared with its depth; distinguished from a well in being generally larger. 2. A deep place; an abyss; profundity. 3. The grave. 4. The shaft of a mine. 5. A hollow or depression in the flesh, as in the stomach.
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 37:24 — "They... cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it."
Psalm 40:2 — "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay."
Revelation 9:1 — "To him was given the key of the bottomless pit."
Revelation 20:3 — "And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern theology edits out the pit and leaves men to fall into it unwarned.
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Scripture knows a real pit. Joseph's brothers dropped him into one; Jeremiah sank to the waist in one; and the Abyss of Revelation 20 is the final pit from which the dragon will never climb. The pit is not metaphor; it is geography in the economy of God.
The seeker-sensitive pulpit pretends the pit is primitive superstition. But Christ warned of it; Peter wrote of it (2 Pet 2:4); John saw it sealed. To hide the pit is not kindness — it is malpractice. Love tells men the pit is real and the Rescuer stronger. Psalm 40:2 is only good news if the horrible pit is a real address.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew bor (H953); Greek abussos (G12).
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H953 — bor — pit, cistern, dungeon
H7845 — shachath — pit; corruption; destruction
G12 — abussos — bottomless; abyss; demonic prison
Usage
"Psalm 40 is only sweet if you remember the mud was real."
"A gospel that hides the pit leaves men to fall alone."
"Christ has the keys; the pit has a seal; the Judge is on the throne."