In biblical literature, the term "plank" is often used metaphorically to convey spiritual and moral lessons. The most notable reference to a plank is found in the teachings of Jesus Christ, specifically in the context of judgment and self-awareness.

New Testament Reference:

The concept of the "plank" is prominently featured in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus addresses the issue of hypocrisy in judgment. In Matthew 7:3-5 , Jesus states:

"Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

In this passage, the "plank" (or "beam" in some translations) symbolizes a significant moral failing or sin in one's own life. Jesus uses hyperbolic language to emphasize the importance of self-examination and humility before passing judgment on others. The imagery of a large plank obstructing one's vision serves as a powerful reminder of the need for personal introspection and repentance.

Theological Implications:

The metaphor of the plank highlights several key theological principles:

1. Self-awareness and Humility: The teaching underscores the necessity for believers to recognize their own shortcomings and approach others with humility. It cautions against the tendency to focus on minor faults in others while ignoring more significant issues within oneself.

2. Judgment and Mercy: By addressing the issue of hypocrisy, Jesus calls for a balanced approach to judgment that is tempered with mercy and understanding. The removal of the plank signifies the process of repentance and spiritual growth, enabling believers to assist others more effectively.

3. Moral Integrity: The passage encourages believers to pursue moral integrity and authenticity in their walk with God. It challenges individuals to align their actions with their professed beliefs, fostering a community characterized by genuine love and accountability.

Old Testament Parallels:

While the specific term "plank" is not used in the Old Testament, the concept of self-examination and humility before God is a recurring theme. For instance, Psalm 139:23-24 reflects a similar sentiment:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting."

This prayer for divine scrutiny and guidance echoes the call for personal reflection and the removal of spiritual impediments, akin to the New Testament teaching on the plank.

Practical Application:

In practical terms, the lesson of the plank encourages believers to cultivate a spirit of grace and patience in their interactions with others. It serves as a reminder to prioritize personal spiritual growth and to extend the same grace to others that one desires to receive. By addressing one's own faults first, believers can contribute to a more compassionate and understanding community of faith.1. (n.) A broad piece of sawed timber, differing from a board only in being thicker. See Board.

2. (n.) Fig.: That which supports or upholds, as a board does a swimmer.

3. (n.) One of the separate articles in a declaration of the principles of a party or cause; as, a plank in the national platform.

4. (v. t.) To cover or lay with planks; as, to plank a floor or a ship.

5. (v. t.) To lay down, as on a plank or table; to stake or pay cash; as, to plank money in a wager.

6. (v. t.) To harden, as hat bodies, by felting.

7. (v. t.) To splice together the ends of slivers of wool, for subsequent drawing.

PLANK

plank: Thick beams or pieces of wood, for which several Hebrew words are used. The Revised Version (British and American) changes "planks" (of fir) into "boards" in 1 Kings 6:15, and in a few instances substitutes "planks" where the King James Version has "boards" (Exodus 27:8; Exodus 38:7, the altar; Ezekiel 27:5). So in the New Testament in Acts 27:44, for sanis.

See SHIPS AND BOATS, II, 2, (3).

4548. sanis -- a board
... a board. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sanis Phonetic Spelling:
(san-ece') Short Definition: a plank, board Definition: a plank, board. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4548.htm - 6k

1385. dokos -- a beam of timber
... 1385 -- a large beam (joist) of wood; "" () a log on which planks in the house rest
(as in the papyri); joist, rafter, plank (Moffatt); a pole sticking out ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1385.htm - 7k

3871. luach -- a tablet, board or plank, a plate
... 3870, 3871. luach or luach. 3872 . a tablet, board or plank, a plate.
Transliteration: luach or luach Phonetic Spelling: (loo'-akh) Short Definition: ...
/hebrew/3871.htm - 6k

6763. tsela -- rib, side
... chambers (10), sides (5), walls (1). beam, board, chamber, corner, leaf,
plank, rib, side chamber. Or (feminine) tsaltah {tsal-aw ...
/hebrew/6763.htm - 6k

6086. ets -- tree, trees, wood
... wooden (6). carpenter, gallows, helve, pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick,.
From atsah; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural ...
/hebrew/6086.htm - 6k

7175. qeresh -- perhaps to tear down
... bench, board From an unused root meaning to split off; a slab or plank; by implication,
a deck of a ship -- bench, board. 7174b, 7175. qeresh. 7175a . ...
/hebrew/7175.htm - 5k

Whether Penance is a Second Plank after Shipwreck?
... OF THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE (TEN ARTICLES) Whether Penance is a second plank
after shipwreck? ... Therefore Penance is not a second plank. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether penance is a second.htm

On the Sacrament of Penance
... It is called the plank in a shipwreck. ... How very thankful the poor shipwrecked sailors
would be to anyone who would offer them a plank while they are in danger! ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 17 on the sacrament.htm

Whether Fear Hinders Action?
... Objection 2: Further, those who fear while doing anything, are more apt to fail:
thus a man who walks on a plank placed aloft, easily falls through fear ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether fear hinders action.htm

Concerning the Sacrament of Baptism
... Jerome, either misstated or misunderstood, in which he calls penitence the second
plank of safety after shipwreck; as if baptism were not penitence. ...
/.../first principles of the reformation/concerning the sacrament of baptism.htm

Events During the War
... Finding out that she had her pies hidden under the puncheon floor, he raised
a plank and proceeded to help himself. The woman, seeing ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter iv events during the.htm

Of Justice, Wisdom, and Folly.
... The just man, he says, if he does not take away from the wounded man his horse,
and from the shipwrecked man his plank, in order that he may preserve his own ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xviii of justice wisdom and.htm

There is a Popular Philosophical Joke Intended to Typify the ...
... If I am made to walk the plank by a pirate, it is vain for me to offer, as a
common-sense compromise, to walk along the plank for a reasonable distance. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 2 there is a.htm

Repentance Applicable to all the Kinds of Sin to be Practised not ...
... myself, for pre-eminence in sins I acknowledge to be mine [8442] ), do you so hasten
to, so embrace, as a shipwrecked man the protection [8443] of some plank. ...
/.../tertullian/on repentance/chapter iv repentance applicable to all.htm

Of the Equity, Wisdom, and Foolishness of Christians.
... What, then, will the just man do, if he shall happen to have suffered shipwreck,
and some one weaker than himself shall have seized a plank? ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xvii of the equity wisdom.htm

Of Justice, which is the Worship of the True God.
... It may happen that, having suffered shipwreck, he may find some feeble person clinging
to a plank; or, his army having been defeated, in his flight he may find ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap lvi of justice which is.htm

Plank (5 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) One of the separate articles in a declaration of the principles
of a party or cause; as, a plank in the national platform. ...
/p/plank.htm - 9k

Deal (170 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The division of a piece of timber made by sawing; a board or plank;
particularly, a board or plank of fir or pine above seven inches in width, and ...
/d/deal.htm - 40k

Board (47 Occurrences)
... bord (qeresh, "a slab or plank," "deck of a ship," "bench," "board"): This word
is found in Exodus 26:16-21; Exodus 36:21; its plural occurs in Exodus 26:15, 17 ...
/b/board.htm - 23k

Apron (1 Occurrence)
... 7. (n.) A platform, or flooring of plank, at the entrance of a dock, against
which the dock gates are shut. 8. (n.) A flooring of ...
/a/apron.htm - 10k

Sitting (201 Occurrences)
... of work. "The carpenter saws, planes, and hews with his hand-adze, sitting on
the ground or upon the plank he is planning. The washerwoman ...
/s/sitting.htm - 40k

Planks (9 Occurrences)

/p/planks.htm - 9k

List (17 Occurrences)
... 14. (n.) A little square molding; a fillet; -- called also listel. 15. (n.) A narrow
strip of wood, esp. sapwood, cut from the edge of a plank or board. 16. ...
/l/list.htm - 14k

Wear (56 Occurrences)
... 15. (n.) A long notch with a horizontal edge, as in the top of a vertical plate
or plank, through which water flows, -- used in measuring the quantity of ...
/w/wear.htm - 25k

Fish (66 Occurrences)
... 14. (vt) To strengthen (a beam, mast, etc.), or unite end to end (two timbers, railroad
rails, etc.) by bolting a plank, timber, or plate to the beam, mast, or ...
/f/fish.htm - 38k

Thick (129 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Having more depth or extent from one surface to its opposite than usual;
not thin or slender; as, a thick plank; thick cloth; thick paper; thick ...
/t/thick.htm - 38k

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