Topical Bible: Silver: Often Given As Presents

◄ Silver: Often Given As Presents ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Silver, a precious metal highly valued in biblical times, frequently appears in Scripture as a symbol of wealth, purity, and divine blessing. Its use as a gift underscores its significance and desirability in ancient cultures, including those depicted in the Bible. The giving of silver as a present is a recurring theme, reflecting both the economic and relational aspects of biblical narratives.

Biblical Instances of Silver as Gifts

1. Abraham and Abimelech: In Genesis 20:16, Abimelech, the king of Gerar, gives Abraham a thousand pieces of silver as a form of restitution and to vindicate Sarah's honor. This act of giving silver serves as a peace offering and a means to restore relationships, highlighting the metal's role in diplomacy and reconciliation.

2. Joseph and His Brothers: In Genesis 45:22, Joseph, now a powerful figure in Egypt, gives his brothers gifts, including silver. "To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes." This generous act signifies Joseph's forgiveness and the restoration of familial bonds, with silver symbolizing both wealth and goodwill.

3. The Israelites and the Egyptians: As the Israelites prepared to leave Egypt, God instructed them to ask the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold. In Exodus 12:35-36, the Israelites did as instructed, and the Egyptians gave them silver, gold, and clothing. This transfer of wealth was a divine provision for the Israelites' journey and a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.

4. The Queen of Sheba and Solomon: In 1 Kings 10:10, the Queen of Sheba visits King Solomon, bringing with her a great quantity of spices, gold, and precious stones. While gold is prominently mentioned, the context implies that silver, too, was part of the wealth exchanged during such royal visits. The giving of precious metals, including silver, was a customary practice to honor and establish alliances with other rulers.

5. Gifts to the Temple: In the construction and maintenance of the Temple, silver was often given as a gift or offering. In 1 Chronicles 29:7, the leaders of Israel gave willingly for the work of the temple, contributing large amounts of gold and silver. This act of giving reflects the dedication and reverence the people had for God's dwelling place.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

Silver's role as a gift in biblical times is not merely transactional but also deeply symbolic. It represents purity and value, often associated with divine favor and blessing. The giving of silver as a present was a way to express honor, respect, and commitment, whether in personal relationships, diplomatic exchanges, or religious offerings.

In the broader cultural context, silver was a standard of wealth and a medium of exchange, making it a practical and meaningful gift. Its use in various biblical narratives underscores its importance in the ancient world and its enduring symbolic value in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 10:25
And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armor, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 5:5,23
And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Ptolemy Philadelphus Procured the Laws of the Jews to be ...
... of expenses for these vessels, and came often to the ... But those which were of silver
were much more bright ... those that brought them, and had given them presents ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how ptolemy philadelphus.htm

Judas.
... The greatest blessing that God had ever given to earth ... and wishes to kill his victim,
but how often is he ... The mere thirty pieces of silver would not have been ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/vii judas.htm

Epistle cxxii. To Rechared, King of the visigoths .
... road, but such as carry vessels of gold and silver. ... For often the malignant spirit,
in order to destroy the ... We have given also to the bearer of these presents ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle cxxii to rechared king.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... of obdurate rebels I charged, shining like silver or like the ... The testimony of this
chronicle is so often marred by ... of his victory in the accounts given by his ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Life of Anne Catherine Emmerich
... The scars of the stigmas shone like silver beneath her distended skin. ... A person who
had often given her pain now drew near her bed and asked her pardon. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/the life of anne catherine.htm

Sermon for Whit Sunday
... Matthew tells us: "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass, in your ... for, as Richard
and other doctors say, so often as that grace is given to man ...
/.../xix sermon for whit sunday.htm

A Little Maid
... because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto ... possessions." We know that Eastern
princes often said such ... with rich damask and jewels of gold and silver. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/a little maid.htm

A Little Jewish Maid.
... for he was getting old; and he had given up going ... the terrible sickness of leprosy,
and she often wished he ... and filling a few small bags with silver and gold ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/a little jewish maid.htm

Judas
... For thirty pieces of silver"the price of a slave"he ... Often when he did a little service
for Christ, or ... light from that in which Jesus had given them, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 76 judas.htm

How to Use the Present Life, and the Comforts of It.
... Has he not given qualities to gold and silver, ivory and ... For it declares that they
have all been given us by ... are thereby estimated in his sight, and often in a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sergieff/on the christian life/chapter v how to use.htm