The concept of "expensive" in the Bible often relates to the value and cost of goods, services, or offerings, reflecting both material wealth and spiritual significance. The Bible provides numerous instances where the costliness of an item or action is highlighted, often to underscore themes of sacrifice, devotion, or the fleeting nature of earthly wealth.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the value of items is frequently mentioned in the context of offerings and temple furnishings. For example, the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple involved the use of costly materials. Exodus 25:3-7 lists offerings of gold, silver, bronze, and precious stones, emphasizing the importance of giving valuable items to God. The use of expensive materials signifies the reverence and honor due to God.

The book of Proverbs also touches on the theme of wealth and its proper use. Proverbs 3:9-10 advises, "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." Here, the use of wealth is tied to honoring God, suggesting that the true value of wealth lies in its potential to glorify Him.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of expensive items is often used to illustrate spiritual truths. One notable example is the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany. In John 12:3 , it is recorded, "Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." This act of devotion, using costly perfume, signifies Mary's recognition of Jesus' worth and foreshadows His impending death and burial.

The parable of the Pearl of Great Price in Matthew 13:45-46 also uses the imagery of expense to convey the value of the Kingdom of Heaven: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it." This parable illustrates the incomparable value of the Kingdom, worth any earthly sacrifice.

Theological Implications

The Bible's references to expensive items often serve to contrast earthly wealth with spiritual riches. In 1 Timothy 6:17-19 , Paul advises, "Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share." This passage highlights the transient nature of material wealth and encourages believers to focus on eternal treasures.

The use of expensive items in worship and devotion underscores the principle that God deserves our best. The willingness to offer costly sacrifices reflects a heart fully devoted to God, recognizing His supreme worth above all earthly possessions.1. (a.) Occasioning expense; calling for liberal outlay; costly; dear; liberal; as, expensive dress; an expensive house or family.

2. (a.) Free in expending; very liberal; especially, in a bad scene; extravagant; lavish.

1912. epibareo -- to put a burden on
... From epi and bareo; to be heavy upon, ie (pecuniarily) to be expensive to; figuratively,
to be severe towards -- be chargeable to, overcharge. see GREEK epi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1912.htm - 7k

4185. poluteles -- very costly
... costly, very precious, of great price. From polus and telos; extremely expensive --
costly, very precious, of great price. see GREEK polus. see GREEK telos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4185.htm - 6k

2915. krithe -- barley
... barley. 2915 -- , the grain eaten by the common person, ie "poor man's bread"
as opposed to using the more expensive grain (). Barley ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2915.htm - 6k

2655. katanarkao -- to grow numb
... to burden. From kata and narkao (to be numb); to grow utterly torpid, ie (by
implication) slothful (figuratively, expensive) -- be burdensome (chargeable). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2655.htm - 7k

1040. bussos -- byssus (a species of flax), also (the) linen (made ...
... Cognate: 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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1040.htm - 6k

6614. pethigil -- perhaps an expensive robe
... 6613, 6614. pethigil. 6615 . perhaps an expensive robe. Transliteration: pethigil
Phonetic Spelling: (peth-eeg-eel') Short Definition: clothes. ...
/hebrew/6614.htm - 6k

The Rash Builder
... Building is an expensive amusement, as many a man who has gone rashly in
for bricks and mortar has found out to his cost. And the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the rash builder.htm

The Story of one Furlough (1908-1910)
... not very easy to do. Apples were expensive, and the appetites of my six
children for them seemed insatiable. However, I began by ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/vii the story of one.htm

On Dress
... O justice! O mercy! Are not these pictures the blood of this poor maid?" See thy
expensive apparel in the same light; thy gown, hat, head-dress! ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 88 on dress.htm

The Use of Money
... 3. Do not waste any part of so precious a talent merely in gratifying the desire
of the eye by superfluous or expensive apparel, or by needless ornaments. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 50 the use of.htm

God's Love for a Sinning World
... Sin is the most expensive thing in the universe. Nothing else can cost so
much. ... Again, sin is the most expensive thing in the universe. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/i gods love for a.htm

Man Proposes, God Disposes
... Him. Hence my disappointment and trial were very great. Medicines were expensive
in Shanghai, and my means were limited. I therefore ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xiii man proposes god.htm

Rom. x. 1
... who spend to no purpose whatsoever on theatres, horse-races, and other such irrelevant
expenditures: from those that build the fine and expensive houses, and ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvii rom x 1.htm

Preface by the Translator.
... Luther's Commentary on the Galatians, excellent as it is, is too voluminous and
expensive to be very extensively circulated, while the phraseology of the early ...
/.../preface by the translator.htm

part ii.
... One has an expensive family, parents to maintain, children to support and educate;
he has been withal unfortunate, and has laid up scarcely a thousand dollars. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part ii.htm

Preface.
... When the practical question arose of either reducing the amount of source material
to admit a bibliography, or of making the book too expensive for general use ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/preface.htm

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

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

Pearls (8 Occurrences)
... way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety;
not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing; (WEB KJV ...
/p/pearls.htm - 9k

Ivory (13 Occurrences)
... Hebrew Bible. Ivory was probably obtained, as now, mainly from the African
elephant. It was rare and expensive. It is mentioned ...
/i/ivory.htm - 17k

Experience (28 Occurrences)

/e/experience.htm - 17k

Vial (12 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:7 a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment,
and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. (See NAS). ...
/v/vial.htm - 11k

Ointment (29 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:7 a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment,
and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. ...
/o/ointment.htm - 18k

Jar (45 Occurrences)
... Jar (45 Occurrences). Matthew 26:7 a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of
very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. ...
/j/jar.htm - 21k

Riot (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Wanton or unrestrained behavior; uproar; tumult.
2. (n.) Excessive and expensive feasting; wild and loose festivity; revelry. ...
/r/riot.htm - 12k

Expenses (4 Occurrences)

/e/expenses.htm - 7k

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