In biblical contexts, the term "stake" is often associated with structures or objects used for support, boundary marking, or punishment. The concept of a stake can be found in various passages throughout the Bible, serving both literal and metaphorical purposes.

1. Literal Uses:

· Tent Pegs and Support: In the Old Testament, stakes are frequently mentioned in relation to tents. For example, in Isaiah 54:2 , the expansion of a tent is described: "Enlarge the site of your tent, stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, do not hold back; lengthen your ropes and drive your stakes deep." Here, stakes are used to secure the tent, symbolizing stability and growth.

· Boundary Markers: Stakes were also used to mark boundaries. In ancient times, property lines were often delineated with physical markers, such as stones or stakes, to prevent disputes over land ownership.

2. Metaphorical Uses:

· Symbol of Security and Permanence: The imagery of a stake can symbolize security and permanence. In Isaiah 22:23 , God speaks of establishing a leader: "I will drive him like a peg into a firm place, and he will become a throne of glory for the house of his father." Here, the stake (or peg) represents a secure and enduring position.

· Judgment and Punishment: In some instances, stakes are associated with judgment or punishment. While the Bible does not explicitly mention crucifixion using the term "stake," the method of execution by nailing to a wooden structure is historically linked to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The New Testament describes Jesus' crucifixion on a "cross," but some translations and interpretations consider the possibility of a single upright stake.

3. Theological Implications:

· Christ's Sacrifice: The crucifixion of Jesus is central to Christian theology, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins. The imagery of the stake, or cross, serves as a powerful reminder of Christ's atoning work and the redemption offered to believers.

· Spiritual Foundation: The concept of driving stakes deep into the ground can also be seen as a metaphor for establishing a firm spiritual foundation. Just as stakes provide stability to a tent, a strong faith provides stability to a believer's life.

In summary, the term "stake" in the Bible encompasses both practical and symbolic meanings, ranging from physical support and boundary marking to deeper spiritual and theological implications.1. (n.) A piece of wood, usually long and slender, pointed at one end so as to be easily driven into the ground as a support or stay; as, a stake to support vines, fences, hedges, etc.

2. (n.) A stick inserted upright in a lop, eye, or mortise, at the side or end of a cart, a flat car, or the like, to prevent goods from falling off.

3. (n.) The piece of timber to which a martyr was affixed to be burned; hence, martyrdom by fire.

4. (n.) A small anvil usually furnished with a tang to enter a hole in a bench top, -- used by tinsmiths, blacksmiths, etc., for light work, punching upon, etc.

5. (v. t.) That which is laid down as a wager; that which is staked or hazarded; a pledge.

6. (v. t.) To fasten, support, or defend with stakes; as, to stake vines or plants.

7. (v. t.) To mark the limits of by stakes; -- with out; as, to stake out land; to stake out a new road.

8. (v. t.) To put at hazard upon the issue of competition, or upon a future contingency; to wager; to pledge.

9. (v. t.) To pierce or wound with a stake.

STAKE

stak: Isaiah 33:20; Isaiah 54:2 for yathedh, "tent-pin," or, perhaps, "tent-pole" (Exodus 27:19 Judges 4:21, etc.). The King James Version Sirach 43:19, "The hoar frost,.... being congealed, lieth on the top of sharp stakes," is of course meaningless. the Revised Version (British and American) "When it is congealed, it is as points of thorns" renders the Greek very exactly, but the Hebrew would indicate for the original meaning "forms frost-flowers of sapphire."

4647. skolops -- anything pointed, spec. a stake, thorn
... a stake, thorn. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: skolops Phonetic
Spelling: (skol'-ops) Short Definition: a stake or thorn Definition: a stake ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4647.htm - 7k

4716. stauros -- an upright stake, hence a cross (the Rom. ...
... stauros. 4717 . an upright stake, hence a cross (the Rom. ... Word Origin from the
same as histemi Definition an upright stake, hence a cross (the Rom. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4716.htm - 8k

5482. charax -- a pointed stake, a rampart
... a pointed stake, a rampart. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: charax
Phonetic Spelling: (khar'-ax) Short Definition: a mound for besieging ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5482.htm - 6k

2213. zetema -- an inquiry
... Cognate: 2213 (a neuter noun) -- a question arising from a (). See 2211 ().
2213 ("a controversial question") focuses on at stake (the ). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2213.htm - 7k

1933. epieikes -- seemly, equitable, yielding
... 1933 ("justice beyond ordinary justice") builds on the real (purpose) of what is
really at stake (note the , "upon") -- and hence, is that appropriately ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1933.htm - 7k

3489. yathed -- a peg, pin
... nail, paddle, pin, stake. From an unused root meaning to pin through or fast; a
peg -- nail, paddle, pin, stake. 3488, 3489. yathed. 3490 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/3489.htm - 6k

Chapter twenty-seven
... The Bishop was not in the habit of carrying much money with him, and the man with
the stake who was searching him uttered an oath at the small amount of change ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-seven.htm

The Netherlands and Scandinavia.
... In Germany Charles V. had banned the Reformation, and he would gladly have brought
all its adherents to the stake; but the princes stood up as a barrier ...
/.../13 the netherlands and scandinavia.htm

The Netherlands and Scandinavia
... In Germany Charles V had banned the Reformation, and he would gladly have brought
all its adherents to the stake; but the princes stood up as a barrier against ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 13 the netherlands and.htm

St. Polycarp (Ad 166)
... me," said the bishop, "with a fire which lasts but a short time; but you know not
of that eternal fire which is prepared for the wicked." A stake was then set ...
/.../chapter iv st polycarp ad.htm

Constant, Instant, Expectant
... I like that beautiful, though sad, picture of the Norwich martyr, Hudson, of whom
Foxe tells us that, when he stood at the stake with the chain about him to be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/constant instant expectant.htm

The Tomb of the Pharaoh
... "The son of the noble Mentu is in trouble"the purity of an innocent one at stake,
and the foiling of a villain to accomplish," Kenkenes answered earnestly. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxiii the tomb of.htm

For, Like Some Others, You are under the Delusion that Our God is ...
... yet how far does the Athenian Pallas differ from the stock of the cross, or the
Pharian Ceres as she is put up uncarved to sale, a mere rough stake and piece ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xvi for like some.htm

Meditation vi. The Last Pasch.
... He passed a stake through its body, fastening the front legs on a cross piece
of wood; and stretching the hind ones along the stake. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/meditation vi the last pasch.htm

Later English Reformers.
... doctrines and all claims. Faith in God and His word sustained these holy
men as they yielded up their lives at the stake. "Be of good ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /14 later english reformers.htm

Next to the Remarks of Celsus on which we have Already Commented.. ...
... divine doorkeepers whose names you commit to memory with such pains, in such a cause
as this you suffer cruel tortures, and perish at the stake." Surely, then ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xl next to the.htm

Stake (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A piece of wood, usually long and slender, pointed at one end so as to be
easily driven into the ground as a support or stay; as, a stake to support ...
/s/stake.htm - 8k

Game (11 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A contest, physical or mental, according to certain rules, for amusement,
recreation, or for winning a stake; as, a game of chance; games of skill ...
/g/game.htm - 10k

Vie (2 Occurrences)
... competition. 2. (vi) To stake a sum upon a hand of cards, as in the old
game of gleek. See Revie. 3. (vt) To stake; to wager. 4 ...
/v/vie.htm - 7k

Wager (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) Something deposited, laid, or hazarded on the
event of a contest or an unsettled question; a bet; a stake; a pledge. ...
/w/wager.htm - 7k

Pool (25 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The stake played for in certain games of cards, billiards, etc.; an aggregated
stake to which each player has contributed a snare; also, the receptacle ...
/p/pool.htm - 40k

Borrowing (1 Occurrence)
... Each must have its place and weight. The issues at stake are so serious that nothing
must be omitted. ... His veracity is at stake if He did not rise. ...
/b/borrowing.htm - 52k

Bittern (4 Occurrences)
... In later days "bog-bull," "stake-driver" and "thunder-pumper" have attached
themselves to it as terms fitly descriptive of its voice. ...
/b/bittern.htm - 14k

Split (36 Occurrences)
... thicknesses. 16. (n.) A division of a stake happening when two cards of the kind
on which the stake is laid are dealt in the same turn. 17. ...
/s/split.htm - 19k

Set (6715 Occurrences)
... 18. (vt) To stake at play; to wager; to risk. 19. ... 46. (n.) That which is staked;
a wager; a venture; a stake; hence, a game at venture. 47. ...
/s/set.htm - 20k

Esther (48 Occurrences)
... They advise that a stake, fifty cubits high, be prepared for Mordecai's impalement;
that on the morrow he obtain the royal permission for Mordecai's execution ...
/e/esther.htm - 58k

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