In biblical times, planks were essential components in construction and craftsmanship, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. The use of planks is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, highlighting their importance in ancient architecture and religious symbolism.

Construction and Craftsmanship

Planks were commonly used in the construction of buildings, ships, and other structures. In the construction of Noah's Ark, God provided specific instructions to Noah, which likely included the use of planks to create the massive vessel. Although the Berean Standard Bible does not explicitly mention "planks" in the account of the Ark, the detailed instructions for building it imply the use of wooden boards: "Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark and coat it with pitch inside and out" (Genesis 6:14).

Similarly, the construction of the Tabernacle involved the use of wooden boards or planks. Exodus 26 provides detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction, including the use of acacia wood for the frames: "You are to construct the frames of the tabernacle with twenty frames for the south side" (Exodus 26:18). These frames, likely made of planks, formed the structure's walls, demonstrating the importance of wood in sacred architecture.

Symbolism and Teaching

Planks also appear in the teachings of Jesus, where they are used metaphorically to illustrate spiritual truths. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the imagery of a plank to teach about judgment and hypocrisy: "Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3). The "beam" or "plank" in this context symbolizes a significant fault or sin in one's own life, contrasting with the minor "speck" in another's eye. This teaching emphasizes the importance of self-examination and humility before judging others.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, wood was a valuable resource, and the use of planks in construction was a testament to the skill and resourcefulness of craftsmen. The availability of different types of wood, such as cedar and acacia, influenced the construction techniques and durability of structures. Cedar, in particular, was prized for its resistance to decay and was used in the construction of Solomon's Temple: "The house that King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high" (1 Kings 6:2).

Conclusion

Planks, as essential elements in construction and metaphorical teaching, reflect the practical and spiritual dimensions of biblical narratives. Their use in significant biblical structures and teachings underscores their importance in the cultural and religious life of ancient Israel.4548. sanis -- a board
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition a board NASB Word Usage planks (1). board. Of
uncertain affinity; a plank -- board. (sanisin) -- 1 Occurrence. 4547, 4548 ...
//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

7713. sederah -- row, rank (of soldiers)
... ranks. Word Origin from the same as seder Definition row, rank (of soldiers)
NASB Word Usage planks (1), ranks (3). board, range. ...
/hebrew/7713.htm - 6k

3871. luach -- a tablet, board or plank, a plate
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a tablet, board or plank, a plate NASB
Word Usage planks (4), plates (1), tablet (4), tablets (34). ...
/hebrew/3871.htm - 6k

Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church
... the cedars of Lebanon that the Lord hath planted but they are not ready for the
building; they are not cut down, nor shaped nor made into those planks of cedar ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/christ glorified as the builder.htm

Those in the Palace.
... so they were cast into the water at the distance of four or five hundred feet from
the shore." Crus?? translates, "binding another number upon planks," but sk ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vi those in the palace.htm

Malachy's Pity for his Deceased Sister. He Restores the Monastery ...
... Moreover the oratory was finished in a few days, made of smoothed planks indeed,
but closely and strongly fastened together"a Scotic work,[306] not devoid of ...
/.../chapter ii malachys pity for.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... Advantage was taken of the encampment being at the foot of the Lebanon to procure
wood for building purposes, such as beams and planks, masts and yards for ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

Rights
... Your bed may be made of a couple of planks laid on sawhorses, and you may have
to eat boiled rice, greens, and beancurd three times a day. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 1 rights.htm

The Nativity
... Horrid abyss, where all experience fails,. Spread with the wreck of planks and
shattered sails; On whose broad back grim Death triumphant rides,. ...
/.../translations from the french of madame de la mothe guion/the nativity.htm

Final Considerations to Induce to Exomologesis.
... Why should I add more touching these two planks [8534] (as it were) of human salvation,
caring more for the business of the pen [8535] than the duty of my ...
/.../tertullian/on repentance/chapter xii final considerations to induce.htm

Gold and Silver not Superior in Origin or in Utility to Other ...
... strength of silver. No mattock plunges a golden edge into the ground; no
nail drives a silver point into planks. I leave unnoticed ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter v gold and silver not.htm

Ezekiel's Discourse
... thy beauty. They have made all thy planks of fir trees from Senir: they
have taken cedars from Lebanon to make a mast for thee. Of ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii ezekiels discourse.htm

Providence
... Several persons were precipitated with the planks, but still the good hand of God
watched over us, and only two persons were severely injured with broken legs ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/providence.htm

Planks (9 Occurrences)
...Planks (9 Occurrences). Acts 27:44 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and
some on other things from the ship. ... He made it hollow with planks. ...
/p/planks.htm - 9k

Plank (5 Occurrences)
... a plank in the national platform. 4. (vt) To cover or lay with planks;
as, to plank a floor or a ship. 5. (vt) To lay down, as on ...
/p/plank.htm - 9k

Ceiling (7 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The covering (1 Kings 7:3, 7) of the inside roof and walls
of a house with planks of wood (2 Chronicles 3:5; Jeremiah 22:14). ...
/c/ceiling.htm - 10k

Saw (6047 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To form by cutting with a saw; as, to saw boards or planks, that is, to
saw logs or timber into boards or planks; to saw shingles; to saw out a panel. ...
/s/saw.htm - 7k

Senir (4 Occurrences)
... Senir over against Mt. Lebanon. So in Ezekiel 27:5, Senir, whence the Tyrians got
planks of fir trees, is set over against Lebanon, where cedars were obtained. ...
/s/senir.htm - 9k

Hollow (35 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 27:8 You shall make it with hollow planks. ... He made it hollow
with planks. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/hollow.htm - 20k

Fir (22 Occurrences)
... Hosea 14:8); it could supply boards and timber for doors (1 Kings 6:15, 24); beams
for roofing the temple (2 Chronicles 3:5); planks for shipbuilding (Ezekiel ...
/f/fir.htm - 19k

Wanderings (7 Occurrences)
... The Egyptians used acacia wood for furniture; and though the desert acacia does
not grow to the size which would furnish planks 1 1/4 cubits broad, it may be ...
/w/wanderings.htm - 40k

Planned (34 Occurrences)

/p/planned.htm - 16k

Various (52 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 27:44 and that the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on
various things from the ship. In this way they all got safely to land. ...
/v/various.htm - 22k

What does it mean that even the demons believe (James 2:19)? | GotQuestions.org

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