The term "costly" in the Bible often refers to items of great value, whether in terms of monetary worth, rarity, or spiritual significance. Throughout Scripture, costly items are frequently associated with worship, sacrifice, and expressions of devotion to God.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, costly materials are often mentioned in the context of the construction and furnishing of the Tabernacle and the Temple. For instance, in Exodus 25:6-7, God instructs the Israelites to bring offerings for the Tabernacle, including "oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, and onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece." These materials were considered costly due to their rarity and the labor required to obtain them.

The use of costly materials in worship is further exemplified in 1 Kings 6:21-22, where Solomon overlays the interior of the Temple with pure gold, a symbol of the preciousness and holiness of the place where God's presence would dwell. The use of gold and other valuable materials underscores the reverence and honor due to God.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of costly items is often linked to acts of worship and devotion. One notable example is found in Matthew 26:7, where a woman anoints Jesus with "an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume." This act of devotion is significant not only because of the monetary value of the perfume but also because it symbolizes the woman's recognition of Jesus' worth and her willingness to offer something precious to Him.

Similarly, in 1 Peter 3:3-4, believers are encouraged to focus on inner beauty rather than outward adornment, which includes "elaborate hairstyles, gold jewelry, or fine clothes." The passage suggests that while costly adornments have their place, true value lies in the "unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit."

Spiritual Significance

The Bible also uses the concept of costliness to convey spiritual truths. In 1 Corinthians 6:20, Paul reminds believers, "You were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." Here, the "price" refers to the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the immense value of the redemption He provides. This underscores the idea that the most costly gift is not material but spiritual, as it pertains to the salvation and eternal life offered through Christ.

In Revelation 21:18-21, the New Jerusalem is described with imagery of costly stones and pure gold, symbolizing the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the eternal value of His kingdom. The use of such imagery serves to remind believers of the incomparable worth of their heavenly inheritance.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, the concept of costliness is used to highlight the value of worship, the significance of sacrifice, and the profound worth of spiritual truths. Whether through the use of precious materials in the Temple or the sacrificial acts of individuals, the Bible consistently points to the ultimate value found in a relationship with God and the eternal treasures of His kingdom.1. (a.) Of great cost; expensive; dear.

2. (a.) Gorgeous; sumptuous.

4185. poluteles -- very costly
... very costly. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: poluteles Phonetic Spelling:
(pol-oo-tel-ace') Short Definition: very costly, very precious Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4185.htm - 6k

4186. polutimos -- very precious
... Transliteration: polutimos Phonetic Spelling: (pol-oot'-ee-mos) Short Definition:
of great value Definition: of great value, very costly, very precious. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4186.htm - 6k

4041. periousios -- of one's own possession
... of one's own possession. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: periousios Phonetic
Spelling: (per-ee-oo'-see-os) Short Definition: costly, specially chosen ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4041.htm - 7k

5093. timios -- valued, precious
... See 5092 (). Word Origin from time Definition valued, precious NASB Word Usage dear
(1), honor (1), precious (8), respected (1), very costly (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5093.htm - 7k

5524. choregeo -- to lead a chorus (ie a group of performers), to ...
... "The provision of a chorus at public festivals was a costly business for
the Athenian public offices, who supplied " (P. Hughs).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5524.htm - 7k

927. barutimos -- of great value
... great price. Word Origin from barus and time Definition of great value
NASB Word Usage very costly (1). very precious. From barus ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/927.htm - 6k

1040. bussos -- byssus (a species of flax), also (the) linen (made ...
... 1040 -- , ie a very expensive (sought-after) form of linen -- "a specific species
of Egyptian flax or linen made from it that is very costly, delicate" (J ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1040.htm - 6k

4897. meshi -- (costly material for garments) perhaps silk
... 4896, 4897. meshi. 4898 . (costly material for garments) perhaps silk.
Transliteration: meshi Phonetic Spelling: (meh'-shee) Short Definition: silk. ...
/hebrew/4897.htm - 6k

3366. yeqar -- preciousness, price, honor
... Word Origin from yaqar Definition preciousness, price, honor NASB Word Usage costly
things (1), honor (9), pomp (2), precious (2), precious things (1), price (1 ...
/hebrew/3366.htm - 6k

3368. yaqar -- precious, rare, splendid, weighty
... Word Origin from yaqar Definition precious, rare, splendid, weighty NASB Word Usage
costly (6), glory (1), luminaries (1), noble (1), precious (23), rare (1 ...
/hebrew/3368.htm - 6k

3365. yaqar -- to be precious, prized or appraised
... root Definition to be precious, prized or appraised NASB Word Usage costly (1),
esteemed (1), make...scarcer (1), precious (6), rarely (1), valued (1). ...
/hebrew/3365.htm - 6k

Costly and Fatal Help
... THE SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLES COSTLY AND FATAL HELP. 'He sacrificed unto
the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/costly and fatal help.htm

On Costly Vessels.
... The Instructor: Book II. Chapter III."On Costly Vessels. And so the use
of cups made of silver and gold, and of others inlaid ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iii on costly vessels.htm

That it Does not Become one in Holy Orders to be Clad in Costly ...
... Canon XVI. That it does not become one in holy orders to be clad in costly apparel.
That it does not become one in holy orders to be clad in costly apparel. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xvi that it does.htm

How Solomon Built Himself a Royal Palace, Very Costly and Splendid ...
... CHAPTER 5. How Solomon Built Himself A Royal Palace, Very Costly And Splendid;
And How He Solved The Riddles Which Were Sent Him By Hiram. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how solomon built.htm

On Dress.
... If so, what you wear you are in effect tearing from the back of the naked; and the
costly and delicate food you eat, you are snatching from the mouth of the ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/on dress.htm

Whether There Can be virtue and vice in Connection with Outward ...
... i, 19): "The body should be bedecked naturally and without affectation, with simplicity,
with negligence rather than nicety, not with costly and dazzling ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be virtue.htm

1 Timothy ii. 10-Aug
... manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness
and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but ...
/.../homily viii 1 timothy ii.htm

Women Adorned with Good Work
... XVII Women adorned with Good Work. Let women adorn themselves; not with braided
hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but through good works. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/xvii women adorned with good.htm

Luther's Second Preface.
... with great pomp, and ordered them with much diligence; and afterwards the kings
of Judah held splendid ceremonials over the dead, with costly incense of all ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/luthers second preface.htm

Civ. Jesus Arrives and is Feasted at Bethany.
... as he sat at meat, there came ^a unto him a woman { ^d 3 Mary} ^a having an alabaster
cruse of exceeding precious ointment, ^b of pure nard very costly; ^d 3 ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/civ jesus arrives and is.htm

Costly (26 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Costly (26 Occurrences). Matthew 13:46 He finds one most
costly pearl; he goes away; and though it costs all he has, he buys it. (WEY) ...
/c/costly.htm - 14k

Apparel (38 Occurrences)
... Kings and nobles usually had a store of costly garments for festive occasions (Isaiah
3:22; Zechariah 3:4) and for presents (Genesis 45:22; Esther 4:4; 6:8, 11 ...
/a/apparel.htm - 24k

Costliness (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality of being costly; expensiveness;
sumptuousness. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. COSTLINESS. ...
/c/costliness.htm - 7k

Hewn (32 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 5:17 And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones,
hewn stones, to lay the foundation of the house. (DBY JPS YLT). ...
/h/hewn.htm - 16k

Hewed (22 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 5:17 And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones,
and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/h/hewed.htm - 14k

Foundation (82 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 3:12 But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly
stones, wood, hay, or stubble; (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/foundation.htm - 36k

Ointment (29 Occurrences)
... oil are mentioned, and the verse might be paraphrased thus: My head with common
oil thou didst not anoint; but she hath anointed my feet with costly scented oil ...
/o/ointment.htm - 18k

Luxury (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A free indulgence in costly food, dress, furniture,
or anything expensive which gratifies the appetites or tastes. ...
/l/luxury.htm - 9k

Rich (140 Occurrences)
... 4. (superl.) Composed of valuable or costly materials or ingredients; procured at
great outlay; highly valued; precious; sumptuous; costly; as, a rich dress ...
/r/rich.htm - 37k

Expensive (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Occasioning expense; calling for liberal outlay;
costly; dear; liberal; as, expensive dress; an expensive house or family. ...
/e/expensive.htm - 8k

Who was Mary of Bethany in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Dietrich Bonhoeffer? | GotQuestions.org

What things in this world have a true eternal value? | GotQuestions.org

Costly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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