Silver: Taken in War often Consecrated to God
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Silver, a precious metal highly valued in ancient times, frequently appears in the biblical narrative as a symbol of wealth, trade, and divine blessing. In the context of warfare, silver often held a significant role, not only as spoils of war but also as an offering consecrated to God. This practice underscores the belief that all victories and their resultant gains ultimately belong to the Lord, and thus, a portion is dedicated to Him in acknowledgment of His providence and sovereignty.

Biblical Instances of Silver in War:

1. The Conquest of Jericho:
In the conquest of Jericho, the Israelites were commanded to devote the silver and other metals to the Lord. Joshua 6:19 states, "For all the silver and gold and all the articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD; they must go into His treasury." This directive highlights the principle that the firstfruits of victory, including valuable metals, were to be set apart for God, signifying His role as the true victor and provider.

2. David's Campaigns:
King David, known for his military prowess, also dedicated spoils of war to the Lord. In 2 Samuel 8:11 , it is recorded, "King David dedicated these articles to the LORD, as he had done with the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued." This act of consecration was a testament to David's recognition of God's hand in his military successes and his commitment to honoring God with the wealth acquired through these victories.

3. The Temple Treasury:
The dedication of silver and other precious metals to the temple treasury was a common practice, serving both as a means of worship and as a resource for the maintenance and adornment of the temple. In 1 Chronicles 26:20 , it is noted, "Now their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated things." This included the silver taken in war, which was set apart for sacred purposes, reflecting the belief that material wealth should serve divine ends.

Theological Implications:

The consecration of silver taken in war to God carries profound theological implications. It reflects the understanding that God is the ultimate source of victory and prosperity. By dedicating a portion of the spoils to God, the Israelites acknowledged His lordship over all aspects of life, including military success. This practice also served as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, wherein blessings were to be used in service to Him and His purposes.

Furthermore, the act of consecrating silver and other spoils of war to God can be seen as a form of worship, expressing gratitude and reverence. It underscores the principle that material wealth, while valuable, is secondary to spiritual devotion and obedience to God's commands. Through these acts of dedication, the Israelites demonstrated their commitment to honoring God above all else, recognizing that their true treasure lay not in earthly riches but in their relationship with the Almighty.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Joshua 6:19
But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated to the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 8:11
Which also king David did dedicate to the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 15:15
And he brought in the things which his father had dedicated, and the things which himself had dedicated, into the house of the LORD, silver, and gold, and vessels.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

St Gregory the Great (Ad 540-604)
... Some of these poor creatures, perhaps, had been taken in war; others had ... The
missionaries advanced in procession, with a silver cross borne before them, and ...
/.../chapter xxxi st gregory the.htm

A Peal of Bells
... garments, so the horses are decorated with their silver bells, there ... The day is to
come when, not only war and the ... the body, but let that rest be taken in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/a peal of bells.htm

How Joshua, the Commander of the Hebrews, Made War with The
... Now there was an immense quantity of silver and gold ... These kings which made war with,
and were ready to ... have thanks for the pains they had taken together with ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how joshua the.htm

And ii.
... the characteristic feature of the captives taken in war, show how ... ii.12, 13, is supposed
to have taken place ... that height, in a moral sense, is often ascribed to ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

The Memorable Hymn. "And when they had Sung an Hymn, they Went Out ...
... who has his full strength about him"taken out to ... Bring out the silver trumpet; let
thy lips remember the ... Behold, He comes, all glorious from the war: as we ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the memorable hymn and when.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... who barter their fellow-professors to them for gold and silver? ... for if we do, we
shall be taken up and ... terrors of the law upon that idolatrous, war-making, and ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

Otho, Bishop of Bamberg.
... He was returning victorious from a war with some ... of everything, who possessed much
gold and silver and many ... from all the spirits that have taken possession of ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/otho bishop of bamberg.htm

Thoughts Upon Our Call and Election.
... the Gospel, is because their Minds are taken up with ... pilgrims, to abstain from fleshy
lusts which war against the ... is far more dross than Gold and Silver: So is ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon our call and.htm

Vive Jesus. Preface.
... as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and the ... particular, but believe me, if
I had taken any lengthy ... many things, that the language of war differs from ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/vive jesus preface.htm

The Bishop Elect and Consecrate
... fine gold plate, a large service of silver, a substantial ... Hugh Beauchamp is killed,
Roger Mowbray taken. ... there is no crusade; France and England are at war. ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter iv the bishop elect.htm

Resources
What is the significance of thirty pieces of silver? | GotQuestions.org

What are the Christian themes in The Silver Chair? | GotQuestions.org

Is Zechariah 11:12-13 a Messianic prophecy? | GotQuestions.org

Silver: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Silver

Silver for Ornamentation of, and in the Manufacture of, the Utensils for the Tabernacle

Silver of Good Rulers

Silver of Saints Purified by Affliction

Silver of the Medo-Persian Kingdom

Silver of the Temple

Silver of the Tongue of the Just

Silver of the Words of the Lord

Silver used As Money from the Earliest Times

Silver used for Money

Silver: (Dross of) of the Wicked

Silver: (Labour of Seeking For) of Diligence Required For

Silver: (Reprobate) the Wicked

Silver: Abundance of

Silver: Baskets (Rv), or Filigree (Margin, RV)

Silver: Chains

Silver: Comparative Value of

Silver: Cords

Silver: Cups Made of

Silver: Dross From

Silver: from Tarshish

Silver: Fusible

Silver: Generally Found in an Impure State

Silver: Given by David and his Subjects for Making the Temple

Silver: Given by the Israelite for Making the Tabernacle

Silver: Idols

Silver: Jewels

Silver: Made Into: Beds or Couches

Silver: Made Into: Bowls

Silver: Made Into: Candlesticks

Silver: Made Into: Chains

Silver: Made Into: Cups

Silver: Made Into: Dishes

Silver: Made Into: Idols

Silver: Made Into: Ornaments and Hooks for the Pillars of the Tabernacle

Silver: Made Into: Ornaments for the Person

Silver: Made Into: Sockets for the Boards of the Tabernacle

Silver: Made Into: Tables

Silver: Made Into: Thin Plates

Silver: Made Into: Vessels

Silver: Made Into: Wires (Alluded To)

Silver: Malleable

Silver: Often Given As Presents

Silver: Palace

Silver: Purified by Fire

Silver: Purified, Called: Choice Silver

Silver: Purified, Called: Refined Silver

Silver: Refining of

Silver: Reprobate

Silver: Shrines

Silver: Symbolical

Silver: Taken in War often Consecrated to God

Silver: Taken in War Purified by Fire

Silver: Tarshish Carried on Extensive Commerce In

Silver: The Patriarchs Rich In

Silver: The Working In, a Trade

Silver: Tribute often Paid In

Silver: Trumpets

Silver: Veins of, Found in the Earth

Silver: Very Abundant in the Reign of Solomon

Silver: Vessels of

Silver: White and Shining

Silver: Wisdom to be Esteemed More Than

Silver: Workers In

Related Terms

Silver-pieces (6 Occurrences)

Silver-worker (2 Occurrences)

Silver-beater (1 Occurrence)

Silver-bronze (2 Occurrences)

Silver-smith (1 Occurrence)

Tribute-silver (1 Occurrence)

Silver-covered (1 Occurrence)

Charger (17 Occurrences)

Bases (80 Occurrences)

Platter (20 Occurrences)

Pegs (22 Occurrences)

Sockets (44 Occurrences)

Connecting-rods (8 Occurrences)

Plate (34 Occurrences)

Coins (13 Occurrences)

Costly (26 Occurrences)

Pans (19 Occurrences)

Silversmith (4 Occurrences)

Shekel (37 Occurrences)

Basins (33 Occurrences)

Store-house (23 Occurrences)

Pictured (26 Occurrences)

Basons (9 Occurrences)

Craftsmen (22 Occurrences)

Scale (38 Occurrences)

Cups (28 Occurrences)

Bowl (44 Occurrences)

Cereal (124 Occurrences)

Valued (27 Occurrences)

Valuable (17 Occurrences)

Valuation (22 Occurrences)

Bits (54 Occurrences)

Copper (55 Occurrences)

Plates (19 Occurrences)

Capitals (21 Occurrences)

Chapiters (15 Occurrences)

Courtyard (59 Occurrences)

Coin (9 Occurrences)

Artificers (15 Occurrences)

Spoons (11 Occurrences)

Plated (29 Occurrences)

Basin (37 Occurrences)

Sprinkling (48 Occurrences)

Silverling

Bowls (47 Occurrences)

Posts (68 Occurrences)

Quantities (13 Occurrences)

Stores (53 Occurrences)

Plentiful (17 Occurrences)

Censers (11 Occurrences)

Changes (27 Occurrences)

Ape

Alabaster (6 Occurrences)

Articles (78 Occurrences)

Pound (13 Occurrences)

Body-guard (23 Occurrences)

Bands (130 Occurrences)

Bronze (146 Occurrences)

Seventy (97 Occurrences)

Shekels (92 Occurrences)

Stored (55 Occurrences)

Curtains (34 Occurrences)

Store-houses (32 Occurrences)

Yellow (6 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Platters (2 Occurrences)

Pounds (16 Occurrences)

Picture (6 Occurrences)

Bags (16 Occurrences)

Coveted (3 Occurrences)

Chargers (3 Occurrences)

Choicest (32 Occurrences)

Crucible (3 Occurrences)

Cedars (37 Occurrences)

Curious (18 Occurrences)

Concealed (36 Occurrences)

Candlesticks (11 Occurrences)

Alloy

Silver: Symbolical
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