In the biblical context, materials refer to the substances and resources used in the construction, crafting, and daily life of the people in biblical times. These materials are often mentioned in the context of building, worship, and trade, reflecting the cultural and economic practices of ancient societies.

1. Building Materials:

The Bible frequently references various materials used in construction, particularly in the building of significant structures such as the Tabernacle, the Temple, and city walls.

· Stone: Stone was a primary building material in ancient Israel. The construction of Solomon's Temple involved large, costly stones. "The king commanded them to quarry large, costly stones to lay the foundation of the temple with dressed stones" (1 Kings 5:17).

· Wood: Cedar and cypress were highly valued for their durability and beauty. Solomon imported cedar from Lebanon for the Temple. "So Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying: 'I will do all you desire regarding the cedar and cypress timber'" (1 Kings 5:8).

· Clay and Brick: In Egypt, the Israelites were forced to make bricks without straw (Exodus 5:7-8), indicating the use of clay as a building material.

2. Metals:

Metals were crucial for tools, weapons, and sacred objects.

· Gold and Silver: These precious metals were used extensively in the Tabernacle and Temple. The Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold (Exodus 25:11).

· Bronze: Used for the altar and other furnishings in the Tabernacle. "You are to make the altar of acacia wood... and overlay it with bronze" (Exodus 27:1-2).

· Iron: Mentioned in the context of tools and weapons. Iron was a symbol of strength and durability (Deuteronomy 3:11).

3. Fabrics and Textiles:

Textiles played a significant role in daily life and religious practices.

· Linen: Fine linen was used for priestly garments and the Tabernacle curtains. "Make the tunic of fine linen, weave the turban of fine linen, and fashion the sash with embroidery" (Exodus 28:39).

· Wool: Used for clothing and blankets. The Proverbs 31 woman is described as seeking wool and flax (Proverbs 31:13).

· Purple Dye: A symbol of wealth and royalty, derived from the murex snail. Lydia, a seller of purple goods, is mentioned in Acts 16:14.

4. Precious Stones:

Precious stones were used in the High Priest's breastplate and as symbols of beauty and value.

· Onyx, Jasper, Sapphire: These stones adorned the priestly garments and the foundations of the New Jerusalem (Exodus 28:20; Revelation 21:19).

· Emerald, Topaz, Amethyst: Also mentioned in the context of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:20).

5. Everyday Materials:

Common materials used in daily life included:

· Clay: For pottery and storage jars. Jeremiah was instructed to visit a potter's house to receive a message from God (Jeremiah 18:2).

· Leather: Used for sandals and scrolls. The Dead Sea Scrolls were written on leather.

· Reeds and Papyrus: Used for writing materials and baskets. Moses was placed in a basket made of reeds (Exodus 2:3).

The use of materials in the Bible reflects the ingenuity and resourcefulness of ancient peoples, as well as the divine instructions given for worship and community life. These materials, whether common or precious, were integral to the cultural and religious fabric of biblical times.4746. stoibas -- branch.
... From a primary steibo (to "step" or "stamp"); a spread (as if tramped flat) of loose
materials for a couch, ie (by implication) a bough of a tree so employed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4746.htm - 5k3523. kabir -- (something woven) perhaps a quilt or net
... pillow. From kabar in the original sense of plaiting; a matrass (of intertwined
materials) -- pillow. see HEBREW kabar. 3522, 3523. kabir. 3524 . ...
/hebrew/3523.htm - 6k

5073. nidbak -- a row or layer, course
... row. (Aramaic) from a root meaning to stick; a layer (of building materials) --
row. 5072, 5073. nidbak. 5074 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5073.htm - 6k

Authorities and Materials.
... Authorities and Materials. The chief ancient and medieval authorities
for the life and times of Leo the Great are such works as ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/authorities and materials.htm

Materials for his Biography.
... II."Materials for His Biography. Fuller details, of more or less authentic
character, are forthcoming in many quarters. In Syriac ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/ii materials for his biography.htm

How Constantine Commanded the Materials of the Idol Temple, and ...
... Book III. Chapter XXVII."How Constantine commanded the Materials of the Idol
Temple, and the Soil itself, to be removed at a Distance. ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter xxvii how constantine commanded the.htm

That He Instructed the Governors Concerning the Beautifying of the ...
... Book III. Chapter XXXII."That he instructed the Governors concerning the
Beautifying of the Roof; also concerning Workmen, and Materials. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxxii that he instructed the.htm

Of the Devil, the World, God, Providence, Man, and his Wisdom.
... us. Let no one inquire of what materials God made these works so great
and wonderful: for He made all things out of nothing. Nor ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap ix of the devil the.htm

Objections to the Foregoing Proof. Whether, in the Generation of ...
... When they thus speak, they should have inquired of an architect, whether he can
build without materials; and if he cannot, whether it follows that God could ...
/.../chapter vii objections to the foregoing.htm

The Work of the Holy Spirit Distinguished.
... This requires not only, material, labor, and plans, but also putting together
and arranging of the materials according to the plans. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/iv the work of the.htm

The Design and Unity of Luke's History
... effect. We feel that in this work we have to deal with an author who handles
his materials freely and with perfect mastery. The ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 2 the design and.htm

Uncorrupt Preservation of the Gospel Narratives.
... 2. The most important materials for writing in ancient times were the paper made
of the Egyptian papyrus plant"whence the word paper"and parchment ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter iii uncorrupt preservation of.htm

Of the Building of this Temple
... 2. Now, therefore, the king laid the foundations of the temple very deep in the
ground, and the materials were strong stones, and such as would resist the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 of the building.htm

Materials (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Materials (9 Occurrences). Luke 1:63 And he sent for writing
materials and put down: His name is John; and they were all surprised. ...
/m/materials.htm - 9k

Dress (38 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Materials used. The earliest and simplest an apron
of fig-leaves sewed together (Genesis 3:7); then skins of animals (3:21). ...
/d/dress.htm - 53k

Library
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NINEVEH, LIBRARY OF. I. THE DISCOVERY II.
THE LIBRARY III. WRITING-MATERIALS IV. ... III. Writing-Materials. ...
/l/library.htm - 16k

Genesis
... Under divine guidance he may indeed have been led to make use of materials already
existing in primeval documents, or even of traditions in a trustworthy form ...
/g/genesis.htm - 40k

Imagination (20 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The representative power; the power to reconstruct or recombine the materials
furnished by direct apprehension; the complex faculty usually termed the ...
/i/imagination.htm - 16k

Roofing (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Roof. 2. (n.) The act of covering with a roof. 3. (n.)
The materials of which a roof is composed; materials for a roof. ...
/r/roofing.htm - 7k

Make (12882 Occurrences)
... fashion; to create. 3. (vt) To form of materials; to cause to exist in a
certain form; to construct; to fabricate. 4. (vt) To produce ...
/m/make.htm - 22k

Basin (37 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A hollow vessel, of various forms and materials, used in the arts or
manufactures, as that used by glass grinders for forming concave glasses, by ...
/b/basin.htm - 26k

Compile (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To put together in a new form out of materials already existing; esp., to
put together or compose out of materials from other books or documents. ...
/c/compile.htm - 7k

Dreamer (4 Occurrences)
... function. While the source of the materials and the excitant may not be
the same in each case, yet functionally they are the same. ...
/d/dreamer.htm - 18k

How should Christians react to "The Golden Compass" movie? | GotQuestions.org

Should Christians recycle? How should a Christian view recycling? | GotQuestions.org

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

Materials: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus