In biblical literature, the term "beams" often refers to structural elements used in the construction of buildings, particularly in the context of ancient architecture. Beams are mentioned in various passages throughout the Bible, symbolizing strength, support, and the framework of a dwelling or temple.

Old Testament References

1. Construction and Architecture: Beams are frequently mentioned in the context of building projects. In 1 Kings 6:9, during the construction of Solomon's Temple, it is noted, "So he built the house and finished it, and he covered the house with beams and boards of cedar." This highlights the use of high-quality materials, such as cedar, which was prized for its durability and aromatic properties.

2. Symbol of Strength and Stability: In Habakkuk 2:11, the prophet declares, "For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the beam from the woodwork will answer it." Here, beams are part of the imagery used to convey the idea of a structure's integrity and the eventual revelation of truth, even from the inanimate parts of a building.

3. Metaphorical Use: Beams are also used metaphorically in the Old Testament. In the Song of Solomon 1:17, the beloved describes their dwelling, "The beams of our house are cedars; our rafters are firs." This poetic language conveys a sense of security and beauty in the relationship, using the imagery of strong and noble materials.

New Testament References

1. Moral and Spiritual Lessons: In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of beams to teach about judgment and self-awareness. In Matthew 7:3-5 , He says, "Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." Here, the "beam" represents a significant fault or sin, emphasizing the importance of self-examination before judging others.

2. Illustration of Hypocrisy: The metaphor of the beam in one's eye serves as a powerful illustration of hypocrisy and the human tendency to overlook one's own faults while criticizing others. This teaching encourages believers to pursue humility and self-reflection.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern architecture, beams were essential components of construction, used to support roofs and upper floors. They were typically made from wood, with cedar being a preferred material due to its strength and resistance to decay. The use of beams in biblical times reflects the broader architectural practices of the region, where wood was a valuable resource for building durable and lasting structures.

Theological Implications

The biblical references to beams carry theological significance, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. The metaphor of the beam in one's eye serves as a call to personal integrity and the pursuit of righteousness. It underscores the importance of addressing one's own spiritual shortcomings before attempting to correct others, aligning with the broader biblical theme of humility and repentance.

In summary, beams in the Bible are not only literal elements of construction but also serve as powerful symbols and metaphors, conveying messages of strength, stability, and moral introspection.7136b. qarah -- to lay the beams of
... 7136a, 7136b. qarah. 7137 . to lay the beams of. Transliteration: qarah
Short Definition: beams. Word Origin denominative verb from ...
/hebrew/7136b.htm - 5k

3313. yapha -- to shine out or forth, to send out beams, cause to ...
... yapha. 3314 . to shine out or forth, to send out beams, cause to shine.
Transliteration: yapha Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-fah') Short Definition: shine. ...
/hebrew/3313.htm - 6k

1356b. geb -- a beam, rafter
... a beam, rafter. Transliteration: geb Short Definition: beams. Word Origin from gub
Definition a beam, rafter NASB Word Usage beams (1). 1356a, 1356b. ...
/hebrew/1356b.htm - 5k

7136. qarah -- to encounter, meet, befall
... appoint, lay make beams, befall, bring, come to pass unto, floor, hap was,
happen unto, A primitive root; to light upon (chiefly ...
/hebrew/7136.htm - 5k

636. a -- wood
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to ets Definition wood NASB Word Usage
beams (1), timber (1), timbers (1), wood (2). timber, wood. ...
/hebrew/636.htm - 6k

2224. zarach -- to rise, come forth
... A primitive root; properly, to irradiate (or shoot forth beams), ie To rise (as
the sun); specifically, to appear (as a symptom of leprosy) -- arise, rise (up ...
/hebrew/2224.htm - 6k

6982. qorah -- a rafter, beam
... Definition: beam. Word Origin from qarah Definition a rafter, beam NASB Word
Usage beam (2), beams (2), roof (1). beam, roof. Or qorah ...
/hebrew/6982.htm - 6k

2926. talal -- to cover over, roof
... cover. A primitive root; properly, to strew over, ie (by implication) to cover in
or plate (with beams) -- cover. 2925, 2926. talal. 2927 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/2926.htm - 5k

3772. karath -- to cut off, cut down
... root Definition to cut off, cut down NASB Word Usage beams (3), cease (1), chewed
(1), completely cut off (1), covenanted (1), cut (10), cut her off (1), cut ...
/hebrew/3772.htm - 6k

Like the Beams that from the Sun
... PENTECOST Like the beams that from the sun. tr., John Brownlie 7,7,7,3. I. Like
the beams that from the sun,. Pierce the blackness of the night,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns from the morningland/like the beams that from.htm

The Abundance of Its Beams
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 82 The abundance of its beams. The abundance of its beams,
the reality of its beams, the freedom of its beams, the ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/82 the abundance of its.htm

The Beams of Our Houses are of Cedar and Our Carved Ceilings are ...
... COMMENTARY. CHAPTER I. 16. The beams of our houses are of cedar and our
carved ceilings are of cypress. The Bridegroom, hidden in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/16 the beams of our.htm

Like the Beams that from the Sun
... PENTECOST II Like the beams that from the sun. 7,7,7,3. Like the beams that from
the sun. Pierce the blackness of the night,. Come to us, O Promised One,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/ii like the beams that.htm

O Lord of Light, Thy Beams Display,
... MORNING O Lord of light, Thy beams display,. tr., John Brownlie 8.8.8.8. I. O
Lord of light, Thy beams display,. And waken joy in every heart; ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/o lord of light thy.htm

O Lord of Light, Thy Beams Display,
... HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH O Lord of light, Thy beams display,. 8,8,8,8. O Lord
of light, Thy beams display,. And waken joy in every heart; ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the early church/o lord of light thy.htm

In the Estate of Innocency the Love of Man Seemed Nothing but the ...
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 87 In the estate of innocency the love of man seemed
nothing but the beams of love reverted upon another. In the ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/87 in the estate of.htm

O Light, Whose Beams Illumine All
... I. DAILY PRAYER: Morning Daily Prayer: Through the Week 40. O Light, whose beams
illumine all. ... Edward H. Plumptre, 1864. O Light, whose beams illumine all. ...
/.../daily prayer through the week 9.htm

That God Should Love in the Soul is Most Easy to Believe
... those flames upon all Eternity, and upon all the creatures and objects in it)"unless
we say, as a mirror returneth the very self-same beams it receiveth from ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/84 that god should love.htm

The Trinity
... In the body of the sun, there are the substance of the sun, the beams, and the heat;
the beams are begotten of the sun, the heat proceeds both from the sun and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/12 the trinity.htm

Beams (28 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Beams (28 Occurrences). ... 1 Kings 6:9 So he built the house,
and finished it; and he covered the house with beams and planks of cedar. ...
/b/beams.htm - 14k

Cedar-beams (3 Occurrences)
Cedar-beams. Cedar, Cedar-beams. Cedar-Pillars . Multi-Version
Concordance Cedar-beams (3 Occurrences). 1 Kings 6:36 ...
/c/cedar-beams.htm - 7k

Cross-beams (1 Occurrence)
Cross-beams. Crossbars, Cross-beams. Crossbreed . Multi-Version
Concordance Cross-beams (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 7:4 ...
/c/cross-beams.htm - 6k

Rows (29 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). 1 Kings 6:9 And he buildeth the house, and
completeth it, and covereth the house 'with' beams and rows of cedars. (YLT). ...
/r/rows.htm - 15k

Beam (17 Occurrences)
... 15. (vi) To emit beams of light. Int. ... Psalms 104:3 He lays the beams of his
chambers in the waters. He makes the clouds his chariot. ...
/b/beam.htm - 17k

Trimmed (7 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). 1 Kings 6:36 He built the inner court with
three courses of cut stone, and a course of cedar beams. (See NIV). ...
/t/trimmed.htm - 8k

Row (26 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). 1 Kings 6:36 And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone,
and a row of cedar beams. (Root in KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT NAS). ...
/r/row.htm - 14k

Columns (17 Occurrences)
... Lebanon; its length was one hundred cubits, and its breadth fifty cubits, and its
height thirty cubits, on four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams on the ...
/c/columns.htm - 11k

Buildeth (73 Occurrences)
... about. (YLT). 1 Kings 6:9 And he buildeth the house, and completeth it, and
covereth the house 'with' beams and rows of cedars. (YLT). ...
/b/buildeth.htm - 28k

Covereth (61 Occurrences)
... garment. (YLT). 1 Kings 6:9 And he buildeth the house, and completeth it, and
covereth the house 'with' beams and rows of cedars. (YLT). ...
/c/covereth.htm - 24k

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