Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "chiseled" often refers to the act of carving or engraving, typically in stone or metal. This process was significant in ancient times for creating inscriptions, idols, and various forms of artwork. The use of chiseling is mentioned in several instances throughout the Scriptures, highlighting its importance in both religious and cultural practices.
Biblical References:1.
The Ten Commandments: One of the most notable uses of chiseling in the Bible is the engraving of the Ten Commandments. In
Exodus 31:18, it is recorded that God gave Moses "two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God." Although the initial tablets were divinely inscribed, Moses later chiseled a second set after the first was broken (
Exodus 34:1).
2.
Idolatry and Graven Images: The Bible frequently warns against the creation and worship of graven images. In
Deuteronomy 27:15, it states, "Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or an image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret." This highlights the use of chiseling in the creation of idols, which was strictly forbidden.
3.
Construction of the Temple: The construction of Solomon's Temple involved extensive use of chiseling. In
1 Kings 6:7, it is noted, "The temple was constructed using finished stones cut at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any other iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built." This reflects the precision and reverence involved in the temple's construction.
4.
Craftsmanship and Artistry: Chiseling was also a skill associated with craftsmanship and artistry. In
Exodus 31:1-5, Bezalel is described as being filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, including "to cut stones for setting and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft."
Symbolism and Spiritual Significance:Chiseling in the Bible often symbolizes the shaping and forming of something significant, whether it be the literal engraving of God's laws or the metaphorical shaping of a person's character. The process of chiseling can be seen as a metaphor for God's work in the lives of believers, as He shapes and molds them into His image.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Near Eastern cultures, chiseling was a common practice for creating inscriptions and artworks. The skill of chiseling was highly valued, and craftsmen who could work with stone and metal were essential for both religious and secular projects. The Bible's references to chiseling reflect its cultural significance and the importance of craftsmanship in conveying religious truths and preserving history.
Overall, the concept of chiseling in the Bible serves as a reminder of the enduring nature of God's word and the importance of allowing God to shape and refine His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Chisel.
Library
The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
... pyramids. Cities of the dead were hewn out of the rocks. Magnificent sarcophagi
werechiseled out of exquisitely beautiful marble. In...
part i.
... Now, shall there be order all around me, and in my physical frame, in the flowing
blood, in the heaving lungs, andchiseled limbs, while the accountable...
The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing
... other doctrines. It is a marker on the road to greener pastures, a path
chiseled against the steep sides of the mount of God. We...
Introduction
... Wesley sleeps in City Road Chapel grounds, among his "bonny dead," under marble,
with fitting tributechiseled in prose, awaiting the Resurrection....
The Procession of Amen
... Hers was the Semitic cast of countenance, the features sharplychiseled, but without
that aggressiveness that emphasizes the outline of a withered face....
Egypt and Greece.
... They built bridges, citadels, temples, and towns, and sculptured statuary from marble
blocks which theychiseled from the strata of the mountains....
Jesus Works his First Miracle at Cana in Galilee.
... If he had known this, he might havechiseled out his mortars a little deeper!]
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water....
Travel. A Personal Experience.
... inconstancy, the ingratitude, the cowardice of friends, with all the miseries of
fallen greatness and of blighted fame." We note a few nameschiseled here: Sir...
Under Ban of the Ritual
... suggest serenity rather than languor. The nose was of good length, aquiline,
the nostril thin and sharplychiseled. The cut of the...
The Collar of Gold
... There was a pronounced curve of her mouth, a slight tension in thechiseled
nostril"in fact, an indefinable disdain that had not been there before....
Thesaurus
Chiseled (2 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Chisel. Multi-Version Concordance
Chiseled (2 Occurrences). Exodus 34:4 He
chiseled two
...Chisel (5 Occurrences)
Chiseling (1 Occurrence)
Former (107 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:4 Hechiseled two tablets of stone like the first; and Moses rose up early
in the morning, and went up to Mount Sinai, as Yahweh had commanded him...
Early (157 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:4 Hechiseled two tablets of stone like the first; and Moses rose up early
in the morning, and went up to Mount Sinai, as Yahweh had commanded him...
Carried (327 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:4 Hechiseled two tablets of stone like the first; and Moses rose up early
in the morning, and went up to Mount Sinai, as Yahweh had commanded him...
Sinai (38 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:4 Hechiseled two tablets of stone like the first; and Moses rose up early
in the morning, and went up to Mount Sinai, as Yahweh had commanded him...
Morning (264 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:4 Hechiseled two tablets of stone like the first; and Moses rose up early
in the morning, and went up to Mount Sinai, as Yahweh had commanded him...
Tablets (31 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:4 Hechiseled two tablets of stone like the first; and Moses rose up early
in the morning, and went up to Mount Sinai, as Yahweh had commanded him...
Resources
What does it mean that the letter kills, but the spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6)? | GotQuestions.orgChiseled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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