The term "leaden" is not directly mentioned in the Bible; however, the concept of lead as a metal and its symbolic meanings can be explored through various scriptural references and historical contexts. In biblical times, lead was a known metal, often used in construction, writing, and various other applications. Its properties and uses provide a backdrop for understanding its symbolic significance in Scripture.

Symbolism and Usage

1. Weight and Burden: Lead is a heavy metal, and its weight can symbolize burdens or oppression. In the Bible, the concept of weight is often associated with sin or judgment. For instance, Hebrews 12:1 encourages believers to "lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles," suggesting that spiritual burdens can hinder one's faith journey.

2. Purification and Refinement: Lead was used in the process of refining silver, as mentioned in the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah 6:29 states, "The bellows blow fiercely to consume the lead with fire. The refining is in vain, for the wicked are not purged." Here, lead is part of the refining process, symbolizing the attempt to purify and remove impurities, though in this context, it highlights the failure to achieve purity due to persistent wickedness.

3. Writing and Inscription: In ancient times, lead was used in writing materials, such as styluses for inscribing on tablets. This use underscores the permanence and seriousness of written words, akin to the enduring nature of God's commandments and decrees.

4. Judgment and Destruction: The imagery of lead can also be associated with judgment. In Zechariah 5:7-8 , a lead cover is mentioned in a vision of a woman representing wickedness: "And behold, the cover of lead was raised, and there was a woman sitting inside the basket. 'This is Wickedness,' he said." The lead cover signifies containment and the weight of judgment upon wickedness.

Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, lead was a common metal, often extracted from mines and used in various applications, including construction, weights, and writing instruments. Its malleability and resistance to corrosion made it a practical choice for many purposes. The biblical references to lead reflect its everyday use and the broader cultural understanding of its properties.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the symbolic use of lead in the Bible can be seen as a metaphor for the weight of sin and the need for divine purification. The refining process, which involves lead, serves as a reminder of God's desire to purify His people, removing the dross of sin and refining them into vessels of honor. The imagery of lead in judgment narratives underscores the seriousness of sin and the inevitable consequences of turning away from God's righteousness.

In summary, while the term "leaden" itself does not appear in the Bible, the metal lead and its associated imagery provide rich symbolic meaning within the biblical narrative, illustrating themes of burden, purification, and judgment.1. (a.) Made of lead; of the nature of lead; as, a leaden ball.

2. (a.) Like lead in color, etc. ; as, a leaden sky.

3. (a.) Heavy; dull; sluggish.

Whether the Sacraments are the Cause of Grace?
... And they give as an example a man who on presenting a leaden coin, receives, by
the king's command, a hundred pounds: not as though the leaden coin, by any ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sacraments are the.htm

Travel. A Personal Experience.
... Maces and axes, long and cross bows and leaden missile weapons and shields, highly
adorned with metal figures, all tend to make more vivid the word-pictures of ...
/.../ix travel a personal experience.htm

John xvii. 6
... If thou shouldest see a man admiring a leaden coin, and stooping to pick it up,
thou wouldest pronounce his penury to be extreme; and dost thou, who collectest ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxxi john xvii 6.htm

Peace in the Soul
... world. You can never make a golden age out of leaden men, or a peaceful
world out of lovers of strife. Where shall peace be found? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/van dyke/what peace means/i peace in the soul.htm

Proceeding to the History of Israel, Tertullian Shows that ...
... this assembly by famine?" [1028] From the self-same belly preference were they destined
(at last) to deplore [1029] (the fate of) the self-same leaden of their ...
/.../chapter v proceeding to the history.htm

General Summary of the virtues and Effects of Patience.
... For Patience sits on the throne of that calmest and gentlest Spirit, who is not
found in the roll of the whirlwind, nor in the leaden hue of the cloud, but is ...
/.../tertullian/of patience/chapter xv general summary of the.htm

Lights and Shadows.
... It was now the dull dead calm after the torture of the storm, the leaden sea strewn
with wrecks, enabling them to realise more fully the extent of their loss. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/vii lights and shadows.htm

The Reasonable Prayer.
... Nay, in our own times, have not the brigands of Naples been in the habit of carrying
a leaden image of St Januarius in their hats, and praying to it to protect ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xii the reasonable prayer.htm

The Charge of Worshipping a Cross the Heathens Themselves Made ...
... and covers the cross within with the shape which he meant to impress upon the clay;
then from this design, with the help of compasses and leaden moulds, he has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xii name charge of.htm

The Voice of Job.
... Seated in the heart of a leaden despair, Job cries aloud to the Might unseen,
scarce known, which yet he regards as the God of his life. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the voice of job.htm

Leaden (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Made of lead; of the nature of lead; as, a leaden
ball. 2. (a.) Like lead in color, etc. ; as, a leaden sky. ...
/l/leaden.htm - 7k

Tablet (7 Occurrences)
... Job (19:24) is thought by some to refer to the writing on leaden tablets, such as
were in very common use in antiquity and in the Middle Ages for the writing ...
/t/tablet.htm - 15k

En (19 Occurrences)
... to the AS. infinitive ending -an. 5. (n.) An adjectival suffix, meaning made
of; as in golden, leaden, wooden. 6. (n.) The termination ...
/e/en.htm - 14k

Discharge (30 Occurrences)
... as, to discharge a bow, catapult, etc.; especially, said of firearms, -- to fire
off; to shoot off; also, to relieve from a state of tension, as a Leaden jar. ...
/d/discharge.htm - 18k

Dump (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A thick, ill-shapen piece; a clumsy leaden
counter used by boys in playing chuck farthing. 2. (n ...
/d/dump.htm - 7k

Apron (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (n.) A leaden plate that covers the vent of a cannon. 6. (n.) A piece
of carved timber, just above the foremost end of the keel. ...
/a/apron.htm - 10k

Fish (66 Occurrences)
... The use of the casting net requires much skill. It forms a circle of from 10 to
20 feet in diameter with numerous small leaden weights at the circumference. ...
/f/fish.htm - 38k

Leader (183 Occurrences)

/l/leader.htm - 35k

Lead (192 Occurrences)

/l/lead.htm - 42k

Leaden: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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