In biblical times, nails were small but significant tools used in construction and various other applications. They are mentioned in several contexts throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing strength, permanence, and sometimes suffering.

Old Testament References

Nails are first mentioned in the context of the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple. In Exodus 27:19, the Bible describes the use of nails in the construction of the Tabernacle: "All the utensils of the tabernacle for every use, and all its tent pegs, and all the pegs of the courtyard, shall be of bronze." Here, nails and pegs are essential for the stability and durability of the sacred structure.

In 1 Chronicles 22:3, during the preparations for building the Temple, David made extensive provisions, including nails: "David provided a large quantity of iron to make nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, and more bronze than could be weighed." This highlights the importance of nails in ensuring the Temple's structural integrity.

Symbolic Use

Nails also appear in a symbolic context. In Isaiah 22:23, the prophet uses the imagery of a nail to convey the idea of security and reliability: "I will drive him like a peg into a firm place, and he will become a throne of glory for his father's house." This metaphor illustrates the concept of being firmly established and dependable.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, nails take on a profound significance in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Gospels describe how Jesus was nailed to the cross, a method of execution that involved driving nails through His hands and feet. This act is central to Christian theology, symbolizing the sacrifice of Jesus for the sins of humanity. In John 20:25, Thomas expresses his doubt about Jesus' resurrection until he sees the nail marks: "So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord.' But he replied, 'Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.'"

The nails of the crucifixion are a poignant reminder of the suffering and sacrifice of Christ, serving as a testament to His love and the fulfillment of prophecy. The imagery of nails in this context underscores the physical reality of Jesus' death and the spiritual implications of His atoning work.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient times, nails were typically made of iron or bronze, materials that were durable and readily available. The process of making nails involved heating and hammering metal into the desired shape, a skill that required craftsmanship and precision. Nails were used not only in construction but also in various tools and implements, reflecting their versatility and importance in daily life.

The use of nails in biblical narratives often carries deeper theological meanings, reflecting themes of permanence, security, and sacrifice. Whether in the construction of sacred spaces or in the crucifixion of Christ, nails serve as a powerful symbol within the biblical text.PARE, (THE NAILS)

par (`asah, "to fix," "manipulate"): The word, which in Hebrew has a very wide range of application, and which is of very frequent occurrence in the Hebrew Bible, is found in the above meaning in but one passage of English Versions of the Bible (Deuteronomy 21:12; see NAIL). In a similar sense it is found in 2 Samuel 19:24, where it is used to express the dressing of the feet anti the trimming of the beard.

4338. proseloo -- to nail to
... nail to. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proseloo Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-ay-lo'-o) Short Definition: I nail to Definition: I fasten with nails, nail ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4338.htm - 6k

2247. helos -- a nail
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition a nail NASB Word Usage nails (2). nail. Of
uncertain affinity; a stud, ie Spike -- nail. (elon) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2247.htm - 6k

6856. tsipporen -- fingernail, stylus point
... 6855, 6856. tsipporen. 6857 . fingernail, stylus point. Transliteration: tsipporen
Phonetic Spelling: (tsip-po'-ren) Short Definition: nails. ...
/hebrew/6856.htm - 6k

4548. masmer -- a nail
... a nail. Transliteration: masmer or mismer or masmerah or mismerah or masmerah
Phonetic Spelling: (mas-mare') Short Definition: nails. ...
/hebrew/4548.htm - 6k

2953. tephar -- a nail, claw
... claws. Word Origin (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to tsaphar Definition
a nail, claw NASB Word Usage claws (1), nails (1). nail. ...
/hebrew/2953.htm - 6k

Whether the Hair and Nails Will Rise Again in the Human Body?
... OF THE INTEGRITY OF THE BODIES IN THE RESURRECTION (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether
the hair and nails will rise again in the human body? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the hair and nails.htm

Concerning the Earth, which Varro Affirms to be a Goddess, Because ...
... pervades all the living parts of the body, and has not sensation, but only the power
of life,"that principle which penetrates into the bones, nails and hair. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 23 concerning the earth which.htm

Four Sad Years
... He also provided himself with a hair shirt, into which he fixed a number
of sharp nails. Having scourged himself till the blood ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/chapter xl four sad years.htm

But this Material May be Differently Arranged in the Resurrection ...
... For otherwise, to suppose that the hair recovers all that our frequent clippings
and shavings have taken away from it, and the nails all that we have so often ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 89 but this material may.htm

The Finding of the Cross.
... was baptized and became Bishop Cyriacus. Then Helena set him hunting for
the nails of the cross. He found them shining like gold ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/7 the finding of the.htm

This is He who Took a Bodily Form in the virgin
... Bitter were thy nails, and sharp; bitter thy tongue, which thou didst whet; bitter
was Judas, to whom thou gavest hire; bitter thy false witnesses, whom thou ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/v this is he who.htm

Samech.
... God, then, being known, which alone freeth from transgression, which is committed
through knowledge of the law, he saith, in prayer, "Fix with nails my flesh ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/samech.htm

Thomas' Test.
... But he said unto them, Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and
put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxiii thomas test.htm

Whether Christ's Cross Should be Worshipped with the Adoration of ...
... Objection 3: Further, as Christ's cross was the instrument of His passion and death,
so were also many other things, for instance, the nails, the crown, the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs cross should be.htm

The Mildness of the Yellow Press
... A speaker who, as he brought forward his points, hammered nails into a board, won
hundreds of votes for his side at the last Presidential Election.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/viii the mildness of the.htm

Nails (16 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia PARE, (THE NAILS). par (`asah, "to ... beard.
Multi-Version Concordance Nails (16 Occurrences). John 20 ...
/n/nails.htm - 12k

Nail (9 Occurrences)
... The words of the wise are compared to "nails fastened by the masters of
assemblies" (Ecclesiastes 12:11, AV). The Revised Version ...
/n/nail.htm - 14k

Space (98 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 27:19 All the instruments for the work of the House, and all its nails,
and the nails of the open space are to be of brass. (BBE). ...
/s/space.htm - 37k

Claw
... 1. (n.) A sharp, hooked nail, as of a beast or bird. 2. (n.) The whole foot of an
animal armed with hooked nails; the pinchers of a lobster, crab, etc. ...
/c/claw.htm - 8k

Bases (80 Occurrences)
... Exodus 38:31 And the bases for the open space all round and for its doorway, and
all the nails for the House and for the open space. (BBE DBY RSV NIV). ...
/b/bases.htm - 29k

Penny (14 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Denoting pound weight for one thousand; -- used in combination, with respect
to nails; as, ten penny nails, nails of which one thousand weight ten ...
/p/penny.htm - 12k

Fasten (28 Occurrences)
... else; to attach or unite firmly; to cause to cleave to something , or to cleave
together, by any means; as, to fasten boards together with nails or cords; to ...
/f/fasten.htm - 14k

Hammer (15 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An instrument for driving nails, beating metals, and the like, consisting
of a head, usually of steel or iron, fixed crosswise to a handle. ...
/h/hammer.htm - 15k

Print (3 Occurrences)
... n.) A mark made by impression; a line, character, figure, or indentation, made by
the pressure of one thing on another; as, the print of teeth or nails in flesh ...
/p/print.htm - 15k

Assemblies (48 Occurrences)
... The proverbs are like nails guarding the sacred storehouse, the book closing with
this warning against touching the collection (compare Revelation 22:18, 19). ...
/a/assemblies.htm - 22k

When Jesus was nailed to the cross, did the nails go through His hands or His wrists? | GotQuestions.org

What is the history of crucifixion? What was crucifixion like? | GotQuestions.org

Was Jesus crucified on a cross, pole, or stake? | GotQuestions.org

Nails: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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