Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, mirrors were an essential part of daily life, though they differed significantly from the glass mirrors we use today. Ancient mirrors were typically made of polished metals such as bronze, brass, or silver. These metal surfaces were carefully crafted and polished to provide a reflective surface, though the image they produced was not as clear or accurate as modern mirrors.
Old Testament ReferencesThe use of mirrors is mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the tabernacle. In
Exodus 38:8, we read about the construction of the bronze basin: "He made the basin of bronze and its stand of bronze from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting." This passage highlights the sacrificial offering of personal items by the Israelite women for the service of the tabernacle, indicating the value and significance of mirrors in their society.
New Testament SymbolismIn the New Testament, mirrors are used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths. The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, uses the imagery of a mirror to describe the partial understanding of divine mysteries in this life. "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (
1 Corinthians 13:12). Here, the mirror symbolizes the limited and imperfect knowledge believers have on earth, which will be made complete in eternity.
James also employs the metaphor of a mirror in his epistle to illustrate the importance of not only hearing the Word of God but also acting upon it. "For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like" (
James 1:23-24). This analogy emphasizes the necessity of self-examination and the transformative power of Scripture.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn the ancient Near East, mirrors were luxury items, often associated with beauty and personal grooming. The reflective quality of mirrors made them a fitting symbol for introspection and self-awareness. The biblical use of mirrors as metaphors for spiritual insight and self-examination reflects this cultural understanding.
Theological ImplicationsThe biblical references to mirrors underscore the theme of reflection, both in the literal and spiritual sense. Mirrors serve as a reminder of the importance of self-examination in the light of God's Word. They also point to the hope of believers for a future where they will see and understand God's truth fully and clearly. The metaphorical use of mirrors in Scripture encourages believers to pursue a deeper relationship with God, striving for a clearer reflection of His image in their lives.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Mirror(Exodus 38:8;Job 37:18) The Hebrew women on coming out of Egypt probably brought with them mirrors like those which were used by the Egyptians, and were made of a mixed metal, chiefly copper, wrought with admirable skill, and susceptible of a bright lustre. (1 Chronicles 13:12)
ATS Bible Dictionary
MirrorSeeLOOKING GLASS.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A looking-glass or a speculum; any glass or polished substance that forms images by the reflection of rays of light.
2. (n.) That which gives a true representation, or in which a true image may be seen; hence, a pattern; an exemplar.
3. (n.) See Speculum.
4. (v. t.) To reflect, as in a mirror.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MIRRORmir'er.
SeeLOOKING-GLASS.
Greek
2734. katoptrizo -- to reflect as amirror... to reflect as a
mirror. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katoptrizo Phonetic
Spelling: (kat-op-trid'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I
mirror, reflect
...2072. esoptron -- amirror (ie an object for looking into)
... amirror (ie an object for looking into). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration:
esoptron Phonetic Spelling: (es'-op-tron) Short Definition: amirror...
1921. epiginosko -- to know exactly, to recognize
... This knowing (, "") the verbal idea and hence is defined by the individual context. :
1 Cor 13:12: "For now we see in amirror dimly, but then face to face...
1504. eikon -- an image, ie lit. statue, fig. representation
... 1504 (from 1503 , "be like") -- properly, "mirror-like representation," referring
to what is very close in (like a "high-definition" projection, as defined by...
Strong's Hebrew
7209. rei -- amirror... a
mirror. Transliteration: rei Phonetic Spelling: (reh-ee') Short Definition:
mirror.
Word Origin from raah Definition a
mirror NASB Word Usage
mirror (1).
...4759b. marah -- amirror
... marah. 4760 . amirror. Transliteration: marah Short Definition: mirrors. Word
Origin from raah Definition amirror NASB Word Usage mirrors (1). 4759a, 4759b...
4759. mar'ah -- vision
... looking glass, vision Feminine of mar'eh; a vision; also (causatively) amirror --
looking glass, vision. see HEBREW mar'eh. 4758, 4759. mar'ah. 4759a ....
1549. gillayon -- a table, tablet
... glass, roll. Or gilyown {ghil-yone'}; from galah; a tablet for writing (as bare);
by analogy, amirror (as a plate) -- glass, roll. see HEBREW galah....
Library
'AMirror for Magistrates'
... THE SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLES 'AMIRROR FOR MAGISTRATES'. 'And Jehoshaphat
the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem...
Herein is aMirror to be Blamed, --If Its Clearness is Darkened...
... Hymn XVI. Herein is amirror to be blamed,"if its clearness is darkened"because
there are spots on its substance.... R. Blessed be He Who polished ourmirror!...
Sleep, theMirror of Death, as Introductory to the Consideration...
... Chapter XLII."Sleep, theMirror of Death, as Introductory to the Consideration
of Death. It now remains (that we discuss the subject...
AMirror Held up to God's Face.
... The Listening Side of Prayer AMirror Held up to God's Face. It is simply
fascinating too, to find what light floods these pages...
Whether those who See the Essence of God See all in God?
... Therefore those who see God see all things. Objection 2: Further, whoever
sees amirror, sees what is reflected in themirror. But...
Whether Christ is Entire under Every Part of the Species of the...
... even while the host remains entire, and not merely when it is broken, as some say,
giving the example of an image which appears in amirror, which appears as...
Whether an Angle Knows God by his Own Natural Principles?
... God; the one, whereby He is seen in His essence, according to which He is said to
be seen face to face; the other whereby He is seen in themirror of creatures...
Whether the Prophets See the Very Essence of God?
... prophetic knowledge and the knowledge of the blessed, have maintained that the prophets
see the very essence of God (which they call the "mirror of eternity...
The Formula of Sanctification
... They are these: "We all, with unveiled face reflecting as amirror the glory of
the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from...
The Beatific vision. (Continued. )
... In the original Greek, St. Paul uses the wordmirror, which is also the word used
in the Latin Vulgate, "per speculum;" that is, by means of amirror....
Thesaurus
Mirror (4 Occurrences)... 3. (n.) See Speculum. 4. (vt) To reflect, as in a
mirror. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia.
MIRROR. mir'er. See LOOKING-GLASS. Multi-Version Concordance
...Glass (12 Occurrences)
... In Job 37:18, the word rendered "looking-glass" is in the Revised Version properly
rendered "mirror," formed, ie, of some metal. (Comp....
Dark (234 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13) distinguishes between the childish manner of speaking of things
spiritual and the manner of a man: "For now we see in amirror, darkly (Greek...
Sayings (134 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13) distinguishes between the childish manner of speaking of things
spiritual and the manner of a man: "For now we see in amirror, darkly (Greek...
Beholding (45 Occurrences)
... In 2 Corinthians 3:18, for katoptrizomenoi, the English Revised Version gives
"reflecting (as amirror) the glory of the Lord," the American Standard Revised...
Reflect (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (v.) To bend back; to give a backward turn to; to throw back; especially, to
cause to return after striking upon any surface; as, amirror reflects rays of...
Stone (290 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Something made of stone. Specifically: -. 4. (n.) The glass of amirror;
amirror. 5. (n.) A monument to the dead; a gravestone....
Image (126 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The figure or picture of any object formed at the focus of a lens ormirror,
by rays of light from the several points of the object symmetrically...
Looking-glass (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Amirror made of glass on which has been placed a
backing of some reflecting substance, as quicksilver. Int.... See GLASS;MIRROR....
Face (780 Occurrences)
... Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you. (See NIV).
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in amirror, dimly, but then face to face....
Resources
What does the Bible say about self-deception? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Mandela Effect? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about self-image? | GotQuestions.orgMirror: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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