Topical Bible: Silver: Vessels of

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, silver was a highly valued metal, often used for various purposes, including the creation of vessels. These vessels served both practical and ceremonial functions, reflecting the wealth and status of their owners and the sacredness of their use in religious contexts.

Historical and Cultural Context

Silver vessels were common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including the Israelites. The use of silver in crafting vessels is indicative of the metal's abundance and the skill of ancient artisans. Silver's malleability and luster made it an ideal material for creating items of beauty and utility.

Biblical References

Silver vessels are mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting their significance in both everyday life and religious practices. In the context of the Tabernacle and the Temple, silver was used extensively, underscoring its importance in worship and offerings.

1. Tabernacle and Temple Use: In the construction of the Tabernacle, silver was used for various components, including the bases of the sanctuary's frames. Exodus 38:27 states, "The hundred talents of silver were used to cast the bases of the sanctuary and the bases of the curtain; one hundred bases from the hundred talents, one talent per base."

2. Sacred Offerings: Silver vessels were also part of the offerings made to the Lord. In Numbers 7, the leaders of Israel presented offerings that included silver plates and bowls. Numbers 7:13 records, "His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering."

3. Royal and Noble Use: Silver vessels were not limited to religious settings; they were also used by royalty and nobility. In the account of Joseph, when his brothers came to Egypt, they were entertained with silver vessels. Genesis 44:2 recounts, "Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one's sack, along with the silver for his grain." This incident highlights the use of silver vessels in the context of hospitality and testing.

4. Symbol of Wealth and Judgment: Silver vessels also symbolized wealth and were sometimes associated with judgment. In Daniel 5, during Belshazzar's feast, the king used the gold and silver vessels taken from the Temple in Jerusalem, which led to divine judgment. Daniel 5:2 states, "Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and concubines, might drink from them."

Symbolism and Theological Significance

Silver vessels in the Bible often symbolize purity, value, and divine service. Their use in the Tabernacle and Temple signifies the sanctity and reverence due to God. The presence of silver vessels in royal settings underscores the wealth and power of earthly kingdoms, while their misuse, as seen in Belshazzar's feast, serves as a cautionary tale of pride and sacrilege.

In summary, silver vessels in the Bible are multifaceted symbols, representing both the material wealth of individuals and nations and the spiritual devotion required in worship. Their presence in Scripture invites reflection on the proper use of resources and the reverence due to God in all aspects of life.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 7:85
Each charger of silver weighing an hundred and thirty shekels, each bowl seventy: all the silver vessels weighed two thousand and four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
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1 Kings 10:25
And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armor, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
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2 Samuel 8:10
Then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
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2 Kings 12:13
However, there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basins, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of the LORD:
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1 Chronicles 18:10
He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to inquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.
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2 Chronicles 24:14
And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, even vessels to minister, and to offer with, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.
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Ezra 1:6
And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
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Ezra 5:14
And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
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Ezra 6:5
And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought to Babylon, be restored, and brought again to the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.
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Ezra 8:26
I even weighed to their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred talents, and of gold an hundred talents;
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Daniel 5:2
Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
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Daniel 11:8
And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.
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Library

On the Mission of the Seventy Disciples, and Christ's Charge to ...
... [4419] When the children of Israel went out of Egypt, the Creator brought them forth
laden with their spoils of gold and silver vessels, and with loads besides ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxiv on the mission of.htm

On Costly Vessels.
... And silver couches, and pans and vinegar-saucers, and trenchers and bowls; and besides
these, vessels of silver and gold, some for serving food, and others for ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iii on costly vessels.htm

Belshazzar's Feast
... Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver
vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii belshazzars feast.htm

The Marcionites Charged God with Having Instigated the Hebrews to ...
... Author of the command. The Egyptians put in a claim on the Hebrews for
these gold and silver vessels. [2947] The Hebrews assert ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xx the marcionites charged god.htm

Weighed in the Balances
... How long this feast had been going on we are not told, but in the midst of it, he
"commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/weighed in the balances.htm

Letter xii. Leo, Bishop of the City of Rome, to all the Bishops of ...
... And as the wooden or earthen vessels are a figure of those men who are hitherto
conspicuous for no virtues; so in the golden or silver vessels they no doubt ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter xii leo bishop of.htm

The Unseen Watcher
... the riotous orgy. As the feast progressed, he "commanded to bring the golden
and silver vessels which . . . Nebuchadnezzar had taken ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 43 the unseen watcher.htm

Epistle Lxxvi. Cyprian to Nemesianus and Other Martyrs in the ...
... But what wonder if, as golden and silver vessels, you have been committed to the
mine that is the home of gold and silver, except that now the nature of the ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxxvi cyprian to nemesianus.htm

Princely Service.
... Each charger of silver weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, each bowl seventy:
all the silver vessels weighed two thousand and four hundred shekels, after ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part iii princely service.htm

The Return of the Exiles
... three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given
out of the king's house: and also let the golden and silver vessels of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.htm