In biblical times, plates were essential items used in daily life for serving and eating food. While the Bible does not provide extensive details about the specific design or materials of plates, they are mentioned in various contexts that offer insight into their use and significance.

Materials and Design

Plates in the ancient Near East were typically made from materials such as clay, metal, or wood. The choice of material often depended on the wealth and status of the owner. Wealthier individuals might have used plates made of bronze or silver, while common people likely used simpler clay or wooden plates. Archaeological findings from the region have uncovered various types of dishware, providing a glimpse into the everyday life of biblical times.

Biblical References

The Bible contains several references to plates, often in the context of meals and offerings. In the Old Testament, plates are mentioned in the context of the tabernacle and temple services. For example, in Numbers 7:84, during the dedication of the altar, the leaders of Israel presented offerings that included silver plates: "This was the offering of the leaders of Israel at the dedication of the altar when it was anointed: twelve silver plates, twelve silver basins, and twelve gold dishes."

In the New Testament, plates are mentioned in the context of the Last Supper. While the specific term "plate" is not used, the setting of the meal implies the use of such items. The Last Supper, as described in the Gospels, was a Passover meal, which would have included the use of plates for serving unleavened bread and other traditional foods.

Symbolism and Significance

Plates, like other dining utensils, can carry symbolic meaning in the biblical narrative. They are often associated with hospitality, fellowship, and the sharing of meals, which are significant themes throughout Scripture. The act of sharing a meal is frequently depicted as a sign of peace and covenant, as seen in the account of Abraham entertaining the three visitors in Genesis 18.

In the New Testament, the communal aspect of meals is emphasized in the early Christian practice of breaking bread together, as described in Acts 2:46: "With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart." This practice highlights the importance of fellowship and unity within the body of Christ.

Cultural Context

Understanding the cultural context of plates in biblical times enhances our appreciation of their role in the narrative. Meals were central to social and religious life, and the use of plates and other dining utensils facilitated these gatherings. The sharing of food was an expression of community and relationship, reflecting the values and customs of the time.

In summary, while plates are not a major focus in the biblical text, their presence in the narrative underscores the importance of meals and hospitality in the cultural and religious life of the people. Through the lens of Scripture, plates serve as a reminder of the fellowship and unity that are central to the Christian faith.7554. raqa -- to beat, stamp, beat out, spread out
... root Definition to beat, stamp, beat out, spread out NASB Word Usage beaten (1),
hammered (2), plates (1), spread (3), spreading (1), stamp (1), stamped (2). ...
/hebrew/7554.htm - 6k

7193. qasqeseth -- scale (of fish)
... from an unused root meaning to shale off as bark; a scale (of a fish); hence a coat
of mail (as composed of or covered with jointed plates of metal) -- mail ...
/hebrew/7193.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

Books Printed for the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge;
... cloth 4 0 Tent (The), or, a Traveller's Recollections, with cuts 1 8 Thugs (The)
0 4 Travels in Africa, with plates 1 9 """"" North America, with ...
/.../murray/kalli the esquimaux christian /books printed for the society.htm

Of the Building of this Temple
... part of the roof that was under the beams, it was made of the same materials, and
was all made smooth, and had ornaments proper for roofs, and plates of gold ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 of the building.htm

And So Unmindful and Forgetful of what the Substance and Origin of ...
... are, you, men, rational beings [4691] and endowed with the gift of wisdom and
discretion, sink down before pieces of baked earthenware, adore plates of copper ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/16 and so unmindful and.htm

Mormonites, or the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
... I was also told where there were deposited some plates, on which was engraven an
abridgment of the records of the ancient prophets that had existed on this ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/mormonites or the church of.htm

The Best Introduction to this Production Will be the Following ...
... The facts, [1059] therefore, which are inscribed upon the golden plates, [1060]
and laid up in the royal temples, I shall record; for it is from the temples ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/the best introduction to this.htm

A Look into the Hebrew Bible.
... he would find this book; that he went to the spot designated, and found in a stone
box a volume six inches thick, composed of thin gold plates, eight inches by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter i a look into.htm

The New Testament Text and Its History.
... See PLATES at the beginning of this book. [Transcriber's Note: Transcriptions of
the Plates are at the end of this e-book.]. I. THE MANUSCRIPT TEXT. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxvi the new testament.htm

A Living Sacrifice.
... with head bowed in prayer that the results might prove better than seemed likely,
while the church officers passed down the aisles with the collection plates. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/a living sacrifice.htm

Since These Things are So, and we have Been Taught by the Greatest ...
... We often seek out remedies for wounds and the poisoned bites of serpents, and defend
ourselves by means of thin plates [3620] sold by Psylli [3621] or Marsi ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/32 since these things are.htm

By the Same Author.
... The Risen Master. A Sequel to Pastor Pastorum.' Revised, with 2 Photogravure Plates. ...
A Sequel to Pastor Pastorum.' Revised, with 2 Photogravure Plates. ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/by the same author.htm

Plates (19 Occurrences)
...Plates (19 Occurrences). ... Exodus 37:16 And all the table-vessels, the plates and spoons
and basins and the cups for liquids, he made of the best gold. ...
/p/plates.htm - 12k

Angle-plates (2 Occurrences)
Angle-plates. Angle-plate, Angle-plates. Angles . Multi-Version
Concordance Angle-plates (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 7:30 ...
/a/angle-plates.htm - 7k

Breast-plates (2 Occurrences)
Breast-plates. Breastplates, Breast-plates. Breasts . Multi-Version
Concordance Breast-plates (2 Occurrences). Revelation ...
/b/breast-plates.htm - 7k

Skin-plates (1 Occurrence)
Skin-plates. Skinning, Skin-plates. Skins . Multi-Version
Concordance Skin-plates (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy 14:10 ...
/s/skin-plates.htm - 6k

Plate (34 Occurrences)
... on which anything is engraved for the purpose of being printed; hence, an impression
from the engraved metal; as, a book illustrated with plates; a fashion ...
/p/plate.htm - 20k

Angles (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:30 Every base had four wheels of brass, turning on brass rods, and their
four angles had angle-plates under them; the angle-plates under the base ...
/a/angles.htm - 12k

Plating (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The art or process of covering anything with a plate or plates, or with
metal, particularly of overlaying a base or dull metal with a thin plate of ...
/p/plating.htm - 10k

Swimming (8 Occurrences)
... things living in the water: anything living in the water, in the seas or rivers,
which has special parts for swimming and skin formed of thin plates, may be ...
/s/swimming.htm - 9k

Broad (113 Occurrences)
... 2 Nahum 2:4). A court before the temple: "the broad place on the east" (the King
James Version "the east street," 2 Chronicles 29:4); "broad plates" (Numbers 16 ...
/b/broad.htm - 40k

Print (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To strike off an impression or impressions of, from type, or from stereotype,
electrotype, or engraved plates, or the like; in a wider sense, to do the ...
/p/print.htm - 15k

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