Silver: Symbolical
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In the Bible, silver often carries rich symbolic meaning, representing various spiritual and moral concepts. Its significance is woven throughout Scripture, where it is frequently associated with themes of purity, redemption, and value.

Purity and Refinement

Silver is emblematic of purity and refinement, often used to illustrate the process of spiritual purification. In Psalm 12:6 , the psalmist declares, "The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold." This verse highlights the purity and perfection of God's words, likening them to silver that has been thoroughly refined. The refining process, which removes impurities, serves as a metaphor for the sanctification of believers, emphasizing the transformative power of divine truth.

Redemption and Atonement

Silver also symbolizes redemption and atonement, particularly in the context of the sacrificial system. In the Old Testament, silver was used as a means of atonement and ransom. Exodus 30:16 instructs, "Take the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the Tent of Meeting. It will serve as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD, making atonement for your lives." Here, silver is directly linked to the concept of redemption, serving as a tangible representation of the price paid for atonement.

Value and Worth

The intrinsic value of silver makes it a symbol of worth and wealth. Proverbs 10:20 states, "The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value." This comparison underscores the preciousness of righteous speech, equating it with the high value of silver. The metaphor extends to the spiritual realm, where the worth of a righteous life is esteemed above material wealth.

Judgment and Testing

Silver is also used to symbolize judgment and testing. In Ezekiel 22:22 , the prophet speaks of God's judgment, saying, "As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted within the city. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have poured out My wrath upon you." The imagery of melting silver conveys the idea of divine judgment as a refining fire, testing and purifying the people.

Betrayal and Corruption

In the New Testament, silver takes on a darker symbolic meaning in the context of betrayal and corruption. The most notable instance is the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, who received thirty pieces of silver for his treachery. Matthew 26:15 records Judas asking, "What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?" So they set out for him thirty pieces of silver." This transaction highlights the corrupting power of greed and the moral degradation associated with valuing material wealth over spiritual integrity.

Throughout Scripture, silver serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing purity, redemption, value, judgment, and, at times, moral failure. Its varied uses underscore the depth and complexity of biblical symbolism, inviting believers to reflect on the spiritual truths conveyed through this precious metal.
Nave's Topical Index
Daniel 2:32,35
This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

At the Feast of Tabernacles - First Discourse in the Temple
... 3956] [3957] Nay, the whole of this night- and morning-scene was symbolical: the
Temple ... at the first dawn of morn the blast of the priests' silver trumpets, of ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi at the feast.htm

The Incense of Prayer
... there has been a great deal of nonsense talked about the symbolical signification
of ... and forwards every now and then, and by means of the silver chains lifting ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the incense of prayer.htm

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
... We have thus fifteen pieces of silver, and also fifteen ephahs; and the supposition
is very ... S.445), and the symbolical use of the barley-bread in Judges 7:13. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the section chap i -iii.htm

Ransom for Souls --I.
... No tax could satisfy God for sin. The very smallness of the amount shows that it
is symbolical only. 'Not with corruptible things as silver' is man redeemed. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/ransom for soulsi.htm

The Lambeth Articles, AD 1595.
... in England, while in Ireland they obtained for some time a semi-symbolical authority. ...
of these Articles is this: that as medals of gold and silver, though they ...
/.../ 84 the lambeth articles.htm

Entire Sanctification in Prophecy.
... and committed sins, symbolical of the New Testament washing of regeneration, symbolical
also of ... that "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and He ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter v entire sanctification in.htm

Brave Encouragements
... this house with glory, saith the Lord of Hosts.8. The silver is Mine ... In general terms
the Prophet announces a speedy convulsion, partly symbolical and partly ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/brave encouragements.htm

Naaman's Imperfect Faith
... How should talents of silver and gold, and changes of raiment, have worth in eyes ...
reliance on God had set him free, and because of its symbolical meaning, as ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/naamans imperfect faith.htm

God's Fellow-Workers
... by the previous enumeration of building materials, gold and silver being capable
of ... in the New Testament of a future judgment are highly symbolical, and not to ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/gods fellow-workers.htm

CHAPTER III.
... importance, for an insight into the whole passage, to remark, that the symbolical
action in ... Ver.2. "And I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and a ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chapter iii.htm

Resources
What kind of divination did Joseph do in Genesis 44:5, 15? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Achan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God judge the sin of Achan so severely? | GotQuestions.org

Silver: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Silver

Silver for Ornamentation of, and in the Manufacture of, the Utensils for the Tabernacle

Silver of Good Rulers

Silver of Saints Purified by Affliction

Silver of the Medo-Persian Kingdom

Silver of the Temple

Silver of the Tongue of the Just

Silver of the Words of the Lord

Silver used As Money from the Earliest Times

Silver used for Money

Silver: (Dross of) of the Wicked

Silver: (Labour of Seeking For) of Diligence Required For

Silver: (Reprobate) the Wicked

Silver: Abundance of

Silver: Baskets (Rv), or Filigree (Margin, RV)

Silver: Chains

Silver: Comparative Value of

Silver: Cords

Silver: Cups Made of

Silver: Dross From

Silver: from Tarshish

Silver: Fusible

Silver: Generally Found in an Impure State

Silver: Given by David and his Subjects for Making the Temple

Silver: Given by the Israelite for Making the Tabernacle

Silver: Idols

Silver: Jewels

Silver: Made Into: Beds or Couches

Silver: Made Into: Bowls

Silver: Made Into: Candlesticks

Silver: Made Into: Chains

Silver: Made Into: Cups

Silver: Made Into: Dishes

Silver: Made Into: Idols

Silver: Made Into: Ornaments and Hooks for the Pillars of the Tabernacle

Silver: Made Into: Ornaments for the Person

Silver: Made Into: Sockets for the Boards of the Tabernacle

Silver: Made Into: Tables

Silver: Made Into: Thin Plates

Silver: Made Into: Vessels

Silver: Made Into: Wires (Alluded To)

Silver: Malleable

Silver: Often Given As Presents

Silver: Palace

Silver: Purified by Fire

Silver: Purified, Called: Choice Silver

Silver: Purified, Called: Refined Silver

Silver: Refining of

Silver: Reprobate

Silver: Shrines

Silver: Symbolical

Silver: Taken in War often Consecrated to God

Silver: Taken in War Purified by Fire

Silver: Tarshish Carried on Extensive Commerce In

Silver: The Patriarchs Rich In

Silver: The Working In, a Trade

Silver: Tribute often Paid In

Silver: Trumpets

Silver: Veins of, Found in the Earth

Silver: Very Abundant in the Reign of Solomon

Silver: Vessels of

Silver: White and Shining

Silver: Wisdom to be Esteemed More Than

Silver: Workers In

Related Terms

Silver-pieces (6 Occurrences)

Silver-worker (2 Occurrences)

Silver-beater (1 Occurrence)

Silver-bronze (2 Occurrences)

Silver-smith (1 Occurrence)

Tribute-silver (1 Occurrence)

Silver-covered (1 Occurrence)

Charger (17 Occurrences)

Bases (80 Occurrences)

Platter (20 Occurrences)

Pegs (22 Occurrences)

Sockets (44 Occurrences)

Connecting-rods (8 Occurrences)

Plate (34 Occurrences)

Coins (13 Occurrences)

Costly (26 Occurrences)

Pans (19 Occurrences)

Silversmith (4 Occurrences)

Shekel (37 Occurrences)

Basins (33 Occurrences)

Store-house (23 Occurrences)

Pictured (26 Occurrences)

Basons (9 Occurrences)

Craftsmen (22 Occurrences)

Scale (38 Occurrences)

Cups (28 Occurrences)

Bowl (44 Occurrences)

Cereal (124 Occurrences)

Valued (27 Occurrences)

Valuable (17 Occurrences)

Valuation (22 Occurrences)

Bits (54 Occurrences)

Copper (55 Occurrences)

Plates (19 Occurrences)

Capitals (21 Occurrences)

Chapiters (15 Occurrences)

Courtyard (59 Occurrences)

Coin (9 Occurrences)

Artificers (15 Occurrences)

Spoons (11 Occurrences)

Plated (29 Occurrences)

Basin (37 Occurrences)

Sprinkling (48 Occurrences)

Silverling

Bowls (47 Occurrences)

Posts (68 Occurrences)

Quantities (13 Occurrences)

Stores (53 Occurrences)

Plentiful (17 Occurrences)

Censers (11 Occurrences)

Changes (27 Occurrences)

Ape

Alabaster (6 Occurrences)

Articles (78 Occurrences)

Pound (13 Occurrences)

Body-guard (23 Occurrences)

Bands (130 Occurrences)

Bronze (146 Occurrences)

Seventy (97 Occurrences)

Shekels (92 Occurrences)

Stored (55 Occurrences)

Curtains (34 Occurrences)

Store-houses (32 Occurrences)

Yellow (6 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Platters (2 Occurrences)

Pounds (16 Occurrences)

Picture (6 Occurrences)

Bags (16 Occurrences)

Coveted (3 Occurrences)

Chargers (3 Occurrences)

Choicest (32 Occurrences)

Crucible (3 Occurrences)

Cedars (37 Occurrences)

Curious (18 Occurrences)

Concealed (36 Occurrences)

Candlesticks (11 Occurrences)

Alloy

Silver: Shrines
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