Definition and Usage in Scripture:

The term "overlay" in the Bible typically refers to the process of covering or coating an object with a layer of another material, often for the purpose of beautification, protection, or sanctification. This practice is most frequently associated with the construction and furnishing of the Tabernacle and the Temple, where precious metals like gold were used to overlay wood and other materials.

Biblical References:

1. The Tabernacle:
· In the construction of the Tabernacle, God commanded Moses to use overlaying as a significant part of the design. For instance, the Ark of the Covenant was made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold both inside and out (Exodus 25:10-11). This overlaying signified the holiness and divine presence associated with the Ark.
· The altar of burnt offering was also overlaid, but with bronze, indicating its use in the sacrificial system (Exodus 27:1-2).

2. The Temple of Solomon:
· Solomon's Temple, a permanent structure replacing the Tabernacle, extensively used overlaying in its construction. The inner sanctuary, or the Most Holy Place, was overlaid with pure gold, including the altar and the cherubim (1 Kings 6:20-22). This lavish use of gold symbolized the glory and majesty of God.
· The doors of the Temple and various furnishings were also overlaid with gold, demonstrating the wealth and dedication of Israel to the worship of Yahweh (1 Kings 6:32).

3. Symbolism and Significance:
· Overlaying with gold and other precious materials in the Bible often symbolizes purity, value, and divine presence. Gold, being a metal that does not tarnish, represents the incorruptible nature of God and His eternal kingdom.
· The use of overlaying in sacred spaces underscores the separation between the holy and the common, emphasizing the need for reverence and sanctity in worship.

Theological Implications:

Overlaying in the biblical context serves as a reminder of the transcendence and immanence of God. The materials used and the objects overlaid were not merely for aesthetic purposes but were deeply symbolic of God's covenant with His people. The overlaying of sacred objects with gold points to the ultimate worth and beauty found in a relationship with God, as well as the call for believers to reflect His glory in their lives.

Practical Application:

While the physical practice of overlaying with gold is not a requirement for modern worship, the principles behind it remain relevant. Believers are called to offer their best to God, whether in worship, service, or personal conduct. The concept of overlaying can inspire Christians to pursue holiness and to adorn their lives with virtues that reflect the character of Christ, as described in the New Testament (Colossians 3:12-14).

Conclusion:

The biblical concept of overlaying, particularly with gold, serves as a powerful metaphor for the divine-human relationship, illustrating the beauty and sanctity that God desires in His dwelling place, both in the physical structures of the past and in the hearts of believers today.1. (v. t.) To lay, or spread, something over or across; hence, to cover; to overwhelm; to press excessively upon.

2. (v. t.) To smother with a close covering, or by lying upon.

3. (v. t.) To put an overlay on.

4. (n.) A covering.

5. (n.) A piece of paper pasted upon the tympan sheet to improve the impression by making it stronger at a particular place.

6. (imp.) of Overlie

4028. perikalupto -- to cover around
... blindfold, cover, overlay. From peri and kalupto; to cover all around, ie Entirely
(the face, a surface) -- blindfold, cover, overlay. see GREEK peri. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4028.htm - 6k2902. tuach -- to overspread, overlay, coat, besmear
... tuach. 2903 . to overspread, overlay, coat, besmear. Transliteration: tuach Phonetic
Spelling: (too'-akh) Short Definition: over. ... daub, overlay, plaster, smut. ...
/hebrew/2902.htm - 6k

6823. tsaphah -- to lay out, lay over
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to lay out, lay over NASB Word Usage adorned
(1), overlaid (33), overlay (12), spread (1). cover, overlay. ...
/hebrew/6823.htm - 6k

2645. chaphah -- to cover
... ceil, cover, overlay. A primitive root (compare chapha', chophaph); to cover; by
implication, to veil, to encase, protect -- ceil, cover, overlay. ...
/hebrew/2645.htm - 6k

7554. raqa -- to beat, stamp, beat out, spread out
... A primitive root; to pound the earth (as a sign of passion); by analogy to expand
(by hammering); by implication, to overlay (with thin sheets of metal) -- beat ...
/hebrew/7554.htm - 6k

7286. radad -- to beat out, beat down, subdue
... spend, spread, subdue. A primitive root; to tread in pieces, ie (figuratively) to
conquer, or (specifically) to overlay -- spend, spread, subdue. 7285b, 7286 ...
/hebrew/7286.htm - 6k

8610. taphas -- to lay hold of, wield
... A primitive root; to manipulate, ie Seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically,
to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably -- catch, handle, (lay, take ...
/hebrew/8610.htm - 6k

Other Arts Made Subservient to Idolatry. Lawful Means of Gaining a ...
... course much easier of execution. For how much more easily does he who delineates
a statue overlay a sideboard! [203] How much sooner ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter viii other arts made subservient.htm

The Demons Allure Men to the Worship of Images.
... one of them is supposed to utter oracles and to heal the sick, and on this account
the people of the Troad offer sacrifices to this statue, and overlay it with ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/chapter xxvi the demons allure men.htm

Sikera, a Manufactured and Spurious Wine, yet Intoxicating; Things ...
... shittim-wood shalt thou make it. And thou shalt make the staves of
shittim-wood, and overlay them with gold. And thou shalt put it ...
/.../chapter vi sikera a manufactured and.htm

Transformation by Beholding
... has, and they are to have, no esoteric doctrines, no hints where plain speech is
possible, no reserve, no use of symbols and ceremonies to overlay truth, but ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/transformation by beholding.htm

How Intent the Ruler Ought to be on Meditations in the Sacred Law.
... Thou shalt make four rings of gold, which thou shalt put in the four corners of
the ark, and thou shalt make staves of shittim-wood, and overlay them with gold ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xi how intent the.htm

April the Thirteenth Pure Gold
... APRIL The Thirteenth PURE GOLD. "Thou shalt overlay it with pure gold....
And there I will meet with thee." "Exodus 25:10-22. I ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/april the thirteenth pure gold.htm

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... shalt make . . . an altar to burn incense, of setim wood . . . and thou shalt
overlay it with the purest gold.". Objection 8: Further ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

1 Thessalonians v. 19-22
... Let us not therefore overlay it with anything cold or damp; for these things
are destructive of it. But there is also another explanation. ...
/.../homily xi 1 thessalonians v.htm

Christ's Encouragements
... if there lie coiled in my heart that consciousness of alienation and disorder in
my relations to God, which all men carry with them, though they overlay it and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/christs encouragements.htm

On Daniel. Ii. The Interpretation by Hippolytus, (Bishop) of Rome ...
... For He says to him, "And thou shalt make the ark of imperishable wood, and shalt
overlay it with pure gold within and without; and thou shalt make the length ...
/.../on daniel ii the interpretation.htm

Overlay (15 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To smother with a close covering, or by lying upon. 3. (vt) To put an
overlay on. ... Multi-Version Concordance Overlay (15 Occurrences). ...
/o/overlay.htm - 11k

Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences)
... half the height thereof. (DBY JPS). Exodus 25:13 And make staves of
acacia-wood and overlay them with gold. (DBY JPS). Exodus 25:23 ...
/a/acacia-wood.htm - 13k

Acacia (28 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 25:13 You shall make poles of acacia wood,
and overlay them with gold. (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/a/acacia.htm - 16k

Shittim (34 Occurrences)
... thereof. (KJV WBS YLT). Exodus 25:13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim
wood, and overlay them with gold. (KJV WBS YLT). Exodus ...
/s/shittim.htm - 20k

Molding (10 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:11 You shall overlay it with pure gold. You shall overlay it inside and
outside, and you shall make a gold molding around it. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/m/molding.htm - 9k

Poles (58 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:13 You shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. ... Exodus
30:5 You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. ...
/p/poles.htm - 22k

Staffs (47 Occurrences)
... up their rods. (See NAS NIV). Exodus 25:13 And thou shalt make staffs of
shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. (WBS). Exodus 25 ...
/s/staffs.htm - 19k

Staves (50 Occurrences)
... staves. (DBY). Exodus 25:13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood,
and overlay them with gold. (KJV JPS ASV DBY YLT). Exodus ...
/s/staves.htm - 23k

Bronze (146 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:37 You shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them
with gold: their hooks shall be of gold: and you shall cast five sockets of ...
/b/bronze.htm - 37k

Border (233 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold: inside and outside shalt
thou overlay it; and shalt make upon it a border of gold round about. (DBY). ...
/b/border.htm - 40k

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