Plaister, commonly referred to as "plaster" in modern terminology, is a substance mentioned in the Bible primarily in the context of construction and healing. It is a mixture used for coating walls and ceilings, as well as for setting broken bones or wounds. The use of plaister in biblical times reflects both practical and symbolic applications, often illustrating themes of repair, covering, and superficiality.

Construction and Symbolism

In the context of construction, plaister is mentioned in the book of Leviticus, where it is used in the inspection and cleansing of houses plagued by mildew. Leviticus 14:42 states, "Then they are to take other stones to replace these stones and take additional clay to replaster the house." This passage highlights the practical use of plaister in maintaining the structural integrity and purity of a dwelling. The act of replastering symbolizes a renewal or purification process, removing the old, contaminated material and replacing it with something new and clean.

The prophet Ezekiel also uses plaister metaphorically to criticize false prophets who offer superficial solutions. Ezekiel 13:10-11 says, "Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because when a flimsy wall is built, they plaster it with whitewash, tell those who plaster it with whitewash that it will fall." Here, plaister represents the deceptive practices of false prophets who cover up the truth with a façade of peace and security, which ultimately cannot withstand the test of time or divine judgment.

Healing and Medicine

In addition to its use in construction, plaister is also associated with healing practices. The prophet Isaiah refers to a poultice, a type of plaister, in the account of King Hezekiah's illness. Isaiah 38:21 notes, "Now Isaiah had said, 'Prepare a lump of pressed figs and apply it as a poultice to the boil, and he will recover.'" This medicinal use of plaister demonstrates its role in ancient healing practices, where natural substances were applied to wounds or ailments to promote recovery.

Cultural and Historical Context

The use of plaister in biblical times reflects the broader cultural and historical practices of the ancient Near East. Plastering was a common technique in construction, used to protect and decorate buildings. The materials for plaister typically included lime, sand, and water, which were readily available and easy to work with. In medicine, natural ingredients like figs, herbs, and clay were combined to create healing poultices, showcasing the resourcefulness and knowledge of ancient peoples in treating physical ailments.

Overall, plaister in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing both the practical aspects of daily life and deeper spiritual truths. Whether used in building or healing, it underscores themes of restoration, protection, and the dangers of superficiality.(n.) See Plaster.PLAISTER

plas'-ter.

See PLASTER.

7874. sid -- to whitewash
... plaister. A primitive root probably meaning to boil up (compare shuwd); used only
as denominative from siyd; to plaster -- plaister. see HEBREW shuwd. ...
/hebrew/7874.htm - 6k

7875. sid -- lime, whitewash
... lime, plaster. From siyd; lime (as boiling when slacked) -- lime, plaister. see
HEBREW siyd. 7874, 7875. sid. 7876 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7875.htm - 6k

2902. tuach -- to overspread, overlay, coat, besmear
... daub, overlay, plaster, smut. A primitive root; to smear, especially with lime --
daub, overlay, plaister, smut. 2901, 2902. tuach. 2903 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/2902.htm - 6k

4799. marach -- to rub
... lay for a plaster. A primitive root; properly, to soften by rubbing or pressure;
hence (medicinally) to apply as an emollient -- lay for a plaister. ...
/hebrew/4799.htm - 5k

Faith
... It disparages Christ's infinite merit as if it could not save; it makes the wound
of sin to be broader than the plaister of Christ's blood. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 1 faith.htm

On Accusations, and the Treatment of Accusers.
... If it be an hollow wound, or great gash, nourish it with a suitable plaister, that
it may be filled up, and become even with the rest of the whole flesh. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v on accusations and the.htm

Repentance
... Many, if the plaister of repentance begin to smart a little, pluck it off; whereas
the plaister of repentance must still lie on, and not be plucked off till ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 2 repentance.htm

Weighed in the Balances
... this impious act was being committed, "in the same hour came forth fingers of a
man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/weighed in the balances.htm

Belshazzar's Feast
... In the same hour came forth the fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against
the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii belshazzars feast.htm

Grieving the Holy Spirit
... is your teacher become also your physician, has closed the wounds of your poor bleeding
spirit, and has bound up those wounds with the court plaister of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/grieving the holy spirit.htm

Last Things
... you lie dying, if God gives you a quickened conscience, to say, " I went to church
or to meeting so many times a day." You will find it a poor plaister to your ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/last things.htm

Blessed are they that Mourn
... Our disease must make us mourn, but when we look up to our Physician, who has made
a plaister of his own blood, we must not mourn without hope. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm

Dedication.
... the riches of that grace that interlineth every sentence of the gospel, and the
greatness of that love that hath made such a completely broad plaister to cover ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/dedication.htm

The Plenary Inspiration of Every Part of the Bible, vindicated and ...
... or shall I be incredulous that it comes from Heaven, because I see the fingers
of a Man's hand writing upon the plaister of the wall? ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon iv the plenary inspiration.htm

Plaister (4 Occurrences)
... (n.) See Plaster. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PLAISTER. plas'-ter. See
PLASTER. Multi-Version Concordance Plaister (4 Occurrences). ...
/p/plaister.htm - 8k

Plaistered (2 Occurrences)
... over the Jordan unto the land which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee, that thou
hast raised up for thee great stones, and plaistered them with plaister, (YLT). ...
/p/plaistered.htm - 7k

Plaint (5 Occurrences)

/p/plaint.htm - 8k

Lump (7 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Isaiah 38:21 For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay
it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover. (KJV WBS). ...
/l/lump.htm - 8k

Mene (2 Occurrences)
... (Dan. 5:25, 26), numbered, one of the words of the mysterious inscription written
"upon the plaister of the wall" in Belshazzar's palace at Babylon. ...
/m/mene.htm - 11k

Mollify
... neither bound up, neither mollified with oil"; The Wisdom of Solomon 16:12, "mollifying
plaister." Neither occurrence of the word is changed by the Revised ...
/m/mollify.htm - 7k

Physician (6 Occurrences)
... fi-zish'-an (rophi; iatros): To the pious Jew at all times God was the healer
(Deuteronomy 32:39): "It was neither herb nor mollifying plaister that cured them ...
/p/physician.htm - 14k

Commanding (79 Occurrences)
... in your passing over the Jordan, ye raise up these stones which I am commanding
you to-day, in mount Ebal, and thou hast plaistered them with plaister, (YLT NAS ...
/c/commanding.htm - 31k

Candlestick (34 Occurrences)
... Daniel 5:5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against
the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and ...
/c/candlestick.htm - 27k

Passing (177 Occurrences)
... in your passing over the Jordan, ye raise up these stones which I am commanding
you to-day, in mount Ebal, and thou hast plaistered them with plaister, (YLT). ...
/p/passing.htm - 36k

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