a term used for several shrubs of the same kind growing close together; thus we say, a furze-bush, bramble-bush, &c.

Bush is sometimes used, in a more general sense, for any assemblage of thick branches interwoven and mixed together.

Burning-Bush, that bush wherein the Lord appeared to Moses at the foot of mount Horeb, as he was feeding his father-in-law's flocks.

As to the person that appeared in the bush, the text says, "That the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire, out of the middle of the bush:" but whether it was a created angel, speaking in the person of God, or God himself, or (as the most received opinion is) Christ the Son of God, has been matter of some controversy among the learned. Those who suppose it no more than an angel seem to imply that it would be a diminution of the majesty of God, to appear upon every occasion, especially when he has such a number of celestial ministers, who may do the business as well. But considering that God is present everywhere, the notification of his presence by some outward sign in one determinate place, (which is all we mean by his appearance), is in our conception less laborious (if anything laborious could be conceived of God) than a delegation of angels upon every turn from heaven, and seems in the main to illustrate rather than debase the glory of his nature and existence. But however this be, it is plain that the angel here spoken of was no created being, from the whole context, and especially from his saying, "I am the Lord God, the Jehovah," &c., since this is not the language of angels, who are always known to express themselves in such humble terms as these, "I am sent from God; I am thy fellow-servant," &c. It is a vain pretext to say, that an angel, as God's ambassador, may speak in God's name and person; for what ambassador of any prince ever yet said, "I am the king?" Since therefore no angel, without the guilt of blasphemy, could assume these titles; and since neither God the Father, nor the Holy Ghost, are ever called by the name of angel, i.e., messenger, or person sent, whereas God the Son is called by the prophet Malachi, (chap. iii. 1.), "The angel of the covenant;" it hence seems to follow, that this angel of the Lord was God the Son, who might very properly be called an angel, because in the fulness of time he was sent into the world in our flesh, as a messenger from God, and might therefore make these his temporary apparitions, presages, and forerunners, as it were, of his more solemn mission.