Silver
SILVER
One of the precious metals and the one most commonly used as coin among all nations. It is first mentioned in Scripture in the history of Abraham, Gen 13:2 20:16 23:16, and was used in constricting the tabernacle, Exo 26:19,32, and afterwards the temple, 1Ch 29:4 . In employing it as a medium of trade, the ancient Hebrews weighed it out, instead of having coins. In the times of the New Testament there were coins. See SHEKEL, and MONEY.
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
Silver
(, , Lat. argentum; from , shining)
Silver is one of the precious or noble metals, used from the earliest times as a means of exchange and adornment. With the exception of gold, it is the most malleable and ductile of all substances. Gold was estimated at thirteen times the value of silver (Herod. iii. 95), but the proportion varied considerably at different periods.
1. Articles of silver are mentioned among the costly wares sold in the market of the apocalyptic Babylon-Imperial Rome (Rev 18:12). As this metal has a perfect metallic lustre and takes a very high polish, it was often used for mirrors. The aquila, or standard of the Roman legion, was of silver (Cic. in Cat. i. ix. 24). Milites argentati were soldiers whose shields were covered or plated with silver (Livy, ix. 40). In a great house there were many vasa argentea (2Ti 2:20, Vulg. [Note: Vulgate.] ; cf. Hor. Sat. ii. 7, 72 f.). Romes principal supply of silver came from southern Spain. The Maccabees heard what the conquering race did in the land of Spain, that they might become masters of the mines of silver and gold which were there (1Ma 8:3). Strabo (iii. ii. 10), quoting Polybius, says that 40,000 men were regularly employed in the silver mines of New Carthage (Carthagena), which yielded daily to the Roman people a revenue of 25,000 drachmae.
2. As silver was the everyday medium of exchange in the ancient world, the Gr. , like the Heb. , frequently denoted money (cf. Fr. argent). When Simon the Magian offered Peter money () for the power to work miracles by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle answered, in horror of this simony, or trafficking in sacred things, Thy money (, Revised Version silver) perish with thee. Xenophon (Cyrop. iii. i. 33) has the phrase , calculated in our money, and (Theocritus, xv. 36) meant hard cash.
3. The magical books which were publicly burned in Ephesus during St. Pauls great mission there were priced at 50,000 [pieces] of silver ( , Act 19:19). The coin understood is the drachma or denarius. When Rome became mistress of the Hellenic world, she allowed the Attic coinage to be continued along with her own monetary system. Since the and the denarius were practically equal in value, they became convertible terms. As the denarius-drachma (translated shilling in the American Revised Version ) was about 9d., the books destroyed were worth nearly 2000. Many silver shrines, or miniatures of the temple of Diana, were made and sold in the same city. A gild of silversmiths (, cf. Septuagint Jdg 17:4, Jer 6:29), of which Demetrius was probably the president during the last year of St. Pauls residence at Ephesus, made their living largely by this lucrative business.
4. In depicting the fate of rich men, James (Jam 5:3) says that their gold and silver are rusted (). This is not strictly accurate, as both of these metals have the property of resisting corrosion; but silver is readily blackened or tarnished in an atmosphere of sulphuretted hydrogen.
Literature.-Article Argentum in W. Smith, Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, 1848; W. Jacob, Inquiry into Production and Consumption of the Precious Metals, 1831.
James Strahan.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
Silver
(, keseph, often rendered money). There is no mention of this metal in Scripture until the time of Abraham. Before that time brass and iron appear to have been the only metals in use (Gen 4:22). Abraham was rich in gold and silver, as well as in flocks and herds, and silver in his day was in general circulation as money. It was uncoined, and estimated always by weight. Coined money was not in use among the Israelites until an advanced period of their history. The Romans are said to have had only copper money until within five years of the first Punic war, when they began to coin silver (Pliny, Hist. Nat. 30, 3). Their coins were extensively introduced into Judnea after it became a Roman province. Kitto.
In early times, according to the Bible, silver was used for ornaments (Gen 24:53), for cups (Gen 44:2), for the sockets of the pillars of the tabernacle (Exo 26:19, etc.), their hooks and fillets, or rods (27:10), and their capitals (38:17); for dishes, or chargers, and bowls (Num 7:13), trumpets (10:2), candlesticks (1Ch 28:15), tables (1Ch 28:16), basins (1Ch 28:17), chains (Isa 40:19), the settings of ornaments (Pro 25:11), studs (Son 1:11), and crowns (Zec 6:11). Images for idolatrous worship were made of silver or overlaid with it (Exo 20:23; Hos 13:2; Hab 2:19; Habakkuk 1 Bar 6:39), and the manufacture of silver shrines for Diana was a trade in Ephesus (Act 19:24). But its chief use was as a medium of exchange, and throughout the Old Test. we find keseph, silver, used for money; like the Fr. argent. To this general usage there is but one exception. SEE METAL.
Vessels and ornaments of gold and silver were common in Egypt in the times of Osirtasen I and Thothmes III, the contemporaries of Joseph and Moses (Wilkinson, Anc. Egypt. 3, 225). In the Homeric poems we find indications of the constant application of silver to purposes of ornament land luxury. It was used for basins (Od. 1, 137; 4, 53), goblets (Il. 23, 741), baskets (Od. 4, 125), coffers. (Il. 18, 413), sword hilts (1, 219; Od. 8, 404), doorhandles (1, 442), and clasps for the greaves (Il. 3, 331). Door posts (Od. 7, 89) and lintels (ibid. 90) glittered with silver ornaments; baths (4, 128), tables (10, 355), bows(Il. 1, 49; 24, 605), scabbards (11, 31), sword belts (18, 598), belts for the shield (ibid. 480), chariot poles (5, 729), and the naves of wheels (ibid.) were adorned with silver; women braided their hair with silverthread (17, 52), and cords appear to have been made of it (Od. 10, 24); while we constantly find that swords (Il. 2, 45; 23, 807) and sword belts (11, 237), thrones, or chairs of state (Od. 8, 65), and bedsteads (23, 200) were studded with silver. Thetis of the silver feet was probably so called from the silver ornaments on her sandals (Il. 1, 538). The practice of overlaying silver with gold, referred to in Homer (Od. 6, 232; 23, 159), is nowhere mentioned in the Bible, though inferior materials were covered with silver (Pro 26:23).
Silver was brought to Solomon from Arabia (2Ch 9:14) and from Tarshish (2Ch 9:21), which supplied the markets of Tyre (Eze 27:12). From Tarshish it came in the form of plates (Jer 10:9), like those on which the sacred books of the Singhalese are written to this day (Tennent, Ceylon, 2, 102). The silver bowl given as a prize by Achilles was the work of Sidonian artists (Il. 23, 743; comp. Od. 4, 618). In Homer (Il. 2, 857), Alybe is called the birthplace of silver, and was probably celebrated for its mines. But Spain appears to have been the chief source whence silver was obtained by the ancients. Possibly the hills of Palestine may have afforded some supply of this metal. When Volney was among the Druses, it was mentioned to him that an ore affording silver and lead had been discovered on the declivity of a hill in Lebanon (Kitto, Phys. Hist. of Palestine, p. 73).
For an account of the knowledge of obtaining and refining silver possessed by the ancient Hebrews, SEE MINE. The whole operation of mining is vividly depicted in Job 28:1-11, and the process of purifying metals is frequently alluded to in Psa 12:6; Pro 25:4, while it is described with some minuteness in Eze 21:20-22. Silver mixed with. alloy is referred to in Jer 6:30, and a finer kind, either purer in itself or more thoroughly purified, is mentioned in Pro 8:19. Smith. There is a beautiful allusion in the prophecy of Malachi to the refining of this precious, metal. The Lord of hosts is represented sitting as a refiner and purifier of silver (Mal 3:3). In the process of refining silver, the workman sits with his eye steadily fixed on the surface of the molten metal, and the operation is only known to be complete when he sees his own image reflected in it. So in this passage we have a beautiful figure descriptive of God’s purpose in placing his people in the furnace of affliction, while he is, as it were, seated by their side, his all seeing eye being steadily intent on the work of purifying, and his wisdom and love engaged on their behalf until his own glorious image is reflected on their souls, and the work of purifying is fully accomplished. The way in which silver is spoken of in the book of Job (Job 28:1), Surely there is a vein for the silver and a place for gold where they fine it, affords one of the many instances of the scientific accuracy of Scripture. An eminent geologist has remarked on the distinction here drawn, and which the discoveries of modern science have made clear, between the vein of silver and dust of gold, indicating that there are mines of the one and not of the other (Murchison, Siluria, p. 457).
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Silver
used for a great variety of purposes, as may be judged from the frequent references to it in Scripture. It first appears in commerce in Gen. 13:2; 23:15, 16. It was largely employed for making vessels for the sanctuary in the wilderness (Ex. 26:19; 27:17; Num. 7:13, 19; 10:2). There is no record of its having been found in Syria or Palestine. It was brought in large quantities by foreign merchants from abroad, from Spain and India and other countries probably.
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Silver
Hebrew keceph, Greek arguros. The only one of the four metals, gold, silver, brass, and iron, not mentioned until after the deluge. Abraham paid Ephron for the cave of Machpelah “400 shekels of silver, current money with the merchant” (Gen 23:16). By this time it had become a recognized standard of value and medium of exchange. It probably was not coined, but bars of silver were probably formed in conventional shapes and marked with some sign to note their weight. The thousand (“pieces” is not in the Hebrew) of silver given by Abimelech to Abraham probably indicate the value of the “sheep and oxen,” etc., which he gave (Gen 20:14-16). (See MONEY.) Silver was brought to Solomon in lavish abundance from Arabia and Tarshish (in plates like the Cingalese sacred writing tablets). 2Ch 9:14; 2Ch 9:21; 1Ki 10:21-27. Idols were generally wood inside, plated over with silver (Jer 10:9; Isa 30:22; Isa 40:19; Hos 13:2; Hab 2:19).
It was used for women’s ornaments, Gen 24:53; cups, Gen 44:2; sockets and chapiters of the pillars of the tabernacle, Exo 26:19; Exo 27:10; Exo 38:17; the two trumpets, Num 10:2; the temple candlesticks, etc., 1Ch 28:15-17; the model shrines of Diana, Act 19:24. There being mines (“vein”) of silver and “dust of gold” is accurately noted in Job 28:1 (See METALS.) The Lord, with perfect wisdom and love, leaves His people in affliction till, their dross being purified, He sees them reflecting His holy image; just as a “refiner of silver” sits watching the melting silver until he sees his own image reflected, when he knows the silver has been long enough in the furnace and withdraws it (Mal 3:3). (See MINES; LEAD.) Captain Burton’s discovery of silver and gold and other metals in great abundance in the land of Midian, as well as the remains of ancient mine workings, remarkably confirms the Scripture account of Midian’s wealth in the metals (Num 31:9; Num 31:22; Num 31:50-54; Jdg 8:24-26). A forger would never have ascribed this kind of wealth to a nomadic people. (See MIDIAN; PARAN.)
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Silver
SILVER.See Money.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Silver
SILVER.See Mining and Metals.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Silver
silver (, keseph; , argurion, , arguros): Silver was known in the earliest historic times. Specimens of early Egyptian and Babylonian silver work testify to the skill of the ancient silversmiths. In Palestine, silver objects have been found antedating the occupation of the land by the Hebrews. This metal was used for making all kinds of ornamental objects. In the mound of Gezer were found bowls, vases, ladles, hairpins, rings and bracelets of silver. The rings and settings for scarabs or seals were commonly of this metal. The first mention of silver in the Bible is in Gen 13:2, where it says that Abraham was rich in cattle, in silver and gold. At that time it was commonly used in exchange in the form of bars or other shapes. Coins of that metal were of a much later date (Gen 20:16; Gen 23:15; Gen 24:53; Gen 37:28, etc.). Booty was collected in silver (Jos 6:19); tribute was paid in the same (1Ki 15:19). It was also used for jewelry (Gen 44:2). The Children of Israel systematically despoiled the Egyptians of their silver before the exodus (Exo 3:22; Exo 11:2; Exo 12:35, etc.). Exo 20:23 implies that idols were made of it. It was largely used in the fittings of the tabernacle (Ex 26 ff) and later of the temple (2 Ch 2 ff).
It is likely that the ancient supply of silver came from the mountains of Asia Minor where it is still found in abundance associated with lead as argentiferous galena, and with copper sulfide. The Turkish government mines this silver on shares with the natives. The Sinaitic peninsula probably also furnished some silver. Later Phoenician ships brought quantities of it from Greece and Spain. The Arabian sources are doubtful (2Ch 9:14). Although silver does not tarnish readily in the air, it does corrode badly in the limestone soil of Palestine and Syria. This probably partly accounts for the small number of objects of this metal found. On the site of the ancient jewelers’ shops of Tyre the writer found objects of gold, bronze, lead, iron, but none of silver.
Figurative:
Silver to be as stones in Jerusalem (1Ki 10:27) typified great abundance (compare Job 3:15; Job 22:25; Job 27:16; also Isa 60:17; Zec 9:3). The trying of men’s hearts was compared to the refining of silver (Psa 66:10; Isa 48:10). Yahweh’s words were as pure as silver refined seven times (Psa 12:6). The gaining of understanding is better than the gaining of silver (Pro 3:14; compare Pro 8:19; Pro 10:20; Pro 16:16; Pro 22:1; Pro 25:11). Silver become dross denoted deterioration (Isa 1:22; Jer 6:30). Breast and arms of silver was interpreted by Daniel to mean the inferior kingdom to follow Nebuchadnezzar’s (Dan 2:32, Dan 2:39).
In the New Testament, reference should be made especially to Act 19:24; Jam 5:3; Rev 18:12.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Silver
Silver. There is no mention of this metal in Scripture until the time of Abraham. Before that time brass and iron appear to have been the only metals in use (Gen 4:22). Abraham was rich in gold and silver, as well as in flocks and herds, and silver in his day was in general circulation as money. It was uncoined, and estimated always by weight. Coined money was not in use among the Israelites until an advanced period of their history. The Romans are said to have had only copper money until within five years of the first Punic war, when they began to coin silver. Their coins were extensively introduced into Judea after it became a Roman province.
Silver, as well as gold, is frequently mentioned in Scripture. They were both largely used by the Jews in the manufacture of articles of ornament, and of various vessels for domestic purposes, and also for the service of the temple. Many of the idols, and other objects belonging to the idolatrous nations, are stated to have been of silver. This metal was so abundant as to be little thought of in the days of Solomon, although it was at that time, and both before and long afterwards, the principal medium of exchange among the Jewsthe only recognized standard or measure of value.
Fuente: Popular Cyclopedia Biblical Literature
Silver
This was a source of wealth from early days. Abraham was rich in silver, Gen 13:2; but with Solomon gold was so plentiful that silver was ‘nothing accounted of.’ 1Ki 10:21. The silver and gold which he had amassed were, alas, afterwards carried away to enrich their enemies because of the sins of Israel. 2Ch 12:9. Silver was also the common specie of commerce, ‘pieces of silver’ being weighed long before money was coined. Gen 23:16. Silver was used for the sockets, hooks, etc., in the tabernacle, the money paid for the redemption of the Israelites being applied to this purpose. Exo 30:11-16; Exo 38:25-28. The house of God is founded on redemption. Exo 36:24-36; Exo 38:10-17.
Silver is found in the earth (Job 28:1), and before it can be compared to ‘the words of the Lord’ it must be purified seven times. Psa 12:6; Pro 25:4.
THE SILVER CORD in Ecc 12:6 seems to refer to ‘the thread of life,’ which is loosed, or removed, when death ensues.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Silver
From Tarshish
Eze 27:12
Refining of
– General references
Pro 17:3; Pro 25:4; Pro 26:23; Eze 22:18-22; Jer 6:29-30; Zec 13:9; Mal 3:3 Refining
Used for money
– Used for money
Gen 13:2; Gen 17:12; Gen 20:16; Gen 23:13-16; Amo 8:6; Mat 10:9; Mat 26:15; Mar 14:11; Act 19:19 Money
For ornamentation of, and in the manufacture of, the utensils:
– For the tabernacle
Exo 26:19; Exo 27:17; Exo 35:24; Exo 36:24; Exo 38:25; Num 7:13; Num 7:19; Num 7:25; Num 7:31; Num 7:37; Num 7:43; Num 7:49; Num 7:55; Num 7:61; Num 7:67; Num 7:73; Num 7:79; Num 7:85
– Of the temple
1Ch 28:14; 1Ch 29:2-5; Ezr 5:14; Ezr 6:5; Ezr 8:26; Dan 5:2
Cups made of
Gen 44:2
Trumpets made of
Num 10:2
Cords made of
Ecc 12:6
Chains made of
Isa 40:19
Shrines made of
Act 19:24
Idols made of
Exo 20:23; Isa 30:22; Hos 13:2
Baskets or filigree made of
Pro 25:11
Jewels made of
– General references
Son 1:11 Jewels
Palace made of
Son 8:9
Vessels of
Num 7:85; 1Ki 10:25; 2Sa 8:10; 2Ki 12:13; 1Ch 18:10; 2Ch 24:14; Ezr 1:6; Ezr 5:14; Ezr 6:5; Ezr 8:26; Dan 5:2; Dan 11:8
Abundance of
1Ki 10:27; 1Ch 22:14; 1Ch 29:2-7; 2Ch 1:15; Ecc 2:8; Isa 2:7
Dross from
Pro 25:4; Pro 26:23
Reprobate
Jer 6:30
Workers in
– General references
2Ch 2:14; Act 19:24 Smith; Money
Symbolic
Dan 2:32; Dan 2:35
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Silver
Silver. In very early times, silver was used for ornaments, Gen 24:53, and for vessels of various kinds. Images for idolatrous worship were made of silver, or overlaid with it, Exo 20:23; Hos 13:2; Hab 2:19; Bar 6:39, and the manufacture of silver shrines for Diana was a trade in Ephesus. Act 19:24. But its chief use was as a medium of exchange, and throughout the Old Testament, we find “silver” used for money, like the French, argent.
Silver was brought to Solomon from Arabia, 2Ch 9:14, and from Tarshish, 2Ch 9:21, which supplied the markets of Tyre. Eze 27:12. From Tarshish, it came in the form of plates, Jer 10:9, like those on which the sacred books of the Singhalese are written to this day. Spain appears to have been the chief source whence silver was obtained by the ancients. Possibly, the hills of Palestine may have afforded some supply of this metal. Silvers mixed with alloy is referred to in Jer 6:30, and a finer kind, either purer in itself or more thoroughly purified, is mentioned in Pro 8:19.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
SILVER
(1) Used as Money
Gen 20:16; Gen 23:15; Jdg 17:2; 2Ki 5:22
(2) The Price of Christ’s Betrayal
Amo 2:6; Zec 11:12; Mat 26:15; Mat 27:3; Act 1:18
(3) Vessels of
Gen 44:2; Num 7:84; 2Sa 8:10; 2Ki 12:13; 2Ch 9:24
Ezr 1:6; Ezr 5:14; Dan 11:8
(4) General References to
Exo 25:3; Exo 27:11; Exo 35:24; Exo 36:24; Exo 38:19
(5) Symbolical
Psa 12:6; Psa 66:10; Pro 3:14; Pro 8:19; Pro 10:20; Pro 16:16; Jer 6:30
Eze 22:18; Dan 2:32; Zec 13:9
Fuente: Thompson Chain-Reference Bible
Silver
is rendered “silver” in Act 3:6; Act 8:20, RV (AV, “money”); Act 20:33; 1Co 3:12 (metaphorical); 1Pe 1:18. See MONEY, PIECE.
akin to argos, “shining,” denotes “silver.” In each occurrence in the NT it follows the mention of gold, Mat 10:9; Act 17:29; Jam 5:3; Rev 18:12.
Note: For drachme, Luk 15:8, see PIECE.
signifies “made of silver,” Act 19:24; 2Ti 2:20; Rev 9:20.
Fuente: Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words
Silver
, Gen 20:16; , 1Pe 1:15; Act 3:4; Act 20:33; a well known metal, of a white shining colour; next in value to gold. It does not appear to have been in use before the deluge; at least Moses says nothing of it; he speaks only of the metals brass and iron, Gen 4:22. But in Abraham’s time it was become common, and traffic was carried on with it, Gen 23:2; Gen 23:15. Yet it was not then coined, but was only in bars or ingots; and in commerce was always weighed.
Fuente: Biblical and Theological Dictionary
Silver
Exo 36:24 (c) This precious metal is often used as a type of redemption. In this passage it refers probably to redemption as the foundation of the sinner’s safety and his standing. The boards represent the Christians, while the silver sockets represent redemption. In the sandy desert, as well as in this wicked world, the sinner needs a sure foundation, a safe resting place. These sockets perhaps weighed one hundred pounds each. The board therefore rested on a solid foundation in the sand. So we “stand on redemption ground.” We do not read of silver being in Heaven. No one in Heaven needs to be redeemed. (See also Exo 30:15, and other places).