Jeremiah 32:10 — Word Study
WLCוָאֶכְתֹּ֤ב בַּסֵּ֙פֶר֙ וָֽאֶחְתֹּ֔ם וָאָעֵ֖ד עֵדִ֑ים וָאֶשְׁקֹ֥ל הַכֶּ֖סֶף בְּמֹאזְנָֽיִם׃
BSAI signedkâthab▸ [wrote in a book, subscribed] and sealedchâtham▸ [closed and locked, authenticated] the deedçêpher [contract, written agreement] called in witnessesʻûwd▸ [took, gathered, those who testify, give evidence] and weighed outshâqal▸ [measured, paid] the silverkeçeph [money, payment] on the scalesmôʼzên [balances, weighing device]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וָאֶכְתֹּ֤ב | and I wrote | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect first person common singular |
| בַּסֵּ֙פֶר֙ | on the document | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וָֽאֶחְתֹּ֔ם | and I sealed [it] | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect first person common singular |
| וָאָעֵ֖ד | and I caused to witness [it] | Verb, Hiphil, sequential imperfect first person common singular |
| עֵדִ֑ים | witnesses | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| וָאֶשְׁקֹ֥ל | and I weighed out | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect first person common singular |
| הַכֶּ֖סֶף | the silver | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| בְּמֹאזְנָֽיִם׃ | on scales | Preposition, noun common masculine dual absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. |
| KJV | And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances. |
| ASV | And I subscribed the deed, and sealed it, and called witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances. |
| YLT | And I write in a book, and seal, and cause witnesses to testify, and weigh the silver in balances; |
| WEB | I signed the deed, sealed it, called witnesses, and weighed the money in the balances to him. |
| BBE | And I put it in writing, stamping it with my stamp, and I took witnesses and put the money into the scales. |
Where they part company is וָאֶשְׁקֹ֥ל — see How Translations Differ.
The main action is presented first, followed by the supporting actions that complete the legal process.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbכָּתַב
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Jeremiah 32:10
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Purchase of a Fieldgenerated
Jeremiah 32:10 describes the formal process of purchasing a field, highlighting the significance of legal documentation and witnesses in ancient Israelite culture. This transaction is not just a personal matter but a public declaration of ownership, reflecting the broader themes of restoration and hope in Jeremiah's prophecies. The surrounding verses provide context for this act, showing Jeremiah's obedience to God's instructions amidst challenging circumstances.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 32:12–44 | and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who were signing the purchase agreement and all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard. |
| 2 | Isaiah 44:5 | One will say, ‘I belong to the LORD,’ another will call himself by the name of Jacob, and still another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and will take the name of Israel.” |
| 3 | Joshua 18:9 | So the men departed and went throughout the land, mapping it city by city into seven portions. Then they returned with the document to Joshua at the camp in Shiloh. |
| 4 | Isaiah 30:8 | Go now, write it on a tablet in their presence and inscribe it on a scroll; it will be for the days to come, a witness forever and ever. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 32:34 | “Have I not stored up these things, sealed up within My vaults? |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 18 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עֵדִ֑ים, 'e.Dimgenerated
The Hebrew word עֵד (*ed*) means 'witness' and refers to individuals who provide testimony or evidence. This term encompasses both the act of witnessing and the person who testifies, emphasizing the importance of reliable witnesses in legal matters. In this verse, it underscores the necessity of having credible witnesses to validate the transaction.
The plural form עֵדִים indicates multiple witnesses, which is crucial in establishing the legitimacy of the deed. Legal transactions in ancient Israel required witnesses to ensure accountability and transparency, reflecting the communal nature of society.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is אֶכְתֹּ֤ב, and I wrote, which governs the sequence of actions: sealing, calling witnesses, and weighing the silver. The structure emphasizes the sequential nature of these actions, reflecting the formal procedure of the transaction.
The verbs are linked in a series, showing the progression of the legal act. Each action builds upon the last, culminating in the completion of the transaction with the weighing of silver, which is crucial for the legitimacy of the sale.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֶכְתֹּ֤ב as ἔγραψα, meaning I wrote, which aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning but may reflect a more straightforward approach to the act of writing.
The choice of διεμαρτυράμην for וָאָעֵ֖ד indicates a focus on the act of testifying, suggesting a broader interpretation of the role of witnesses in affirming the deed.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Jeremiah 32:10 describes how Jeremiah signed and sealed a deed for a field, called witnesses to affirm the transaction, and weighed out the silver. This formal process highlights the importance of legal documentation and the role of witnesses in ensuring that agreements are valid and recognized.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Signing and sealing the deed formalizes the transaction, making it legally binding and recognized by the community.
Witnesses provide testimony that validates the transaction, ensuring that it is acknowledged and protected under the law.
Weighing the silver ensures that the payment is fair and accurate, reflecting the value of the property being purchased.
This transaction symbolizes hope and restoration for Israel, as Jeremiah acts in faith, purchasing land even amidst impending judgment.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I ensure that my agreements and commitments are clear and trustworthy?
- What role do witnesses play in my life, and how can I be a reliable witness for others?
- In what ways can I reflect the principles of fairness and justice in my dealings with others?
- How does understanding the context of this transaction deepen my appreciation for Jeremiah's message?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Jeremiah 32:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd I subscribed the evidence,.... Or, "wrote in a book" (u); the instrument or bill of sale, the deed of purchase; which described the field sold, and expressed the condition on which the purchase
Read John Gill on Jeremiah 32 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on Jeremiah 32 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleI went through with the purchase, setting my hand to and sealing the deed, and taking witnesses to it, as is usual.
Read Matthew Poole on Jeremiah 32 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJeremiah 32:10 And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed [it], and took witnesses, and weighed [him] the money in the balances.Ver. 10. And I subscribed the evidence.] Heb., I wrote in the book, and sealed it. Men love to be upon sure grounds in things temporal; oh that they were as wise for their souls!
Read John Trapp on Jeremiah 32 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(10) And I subscribed the evidence . . .—Literally, as in the margin, I wrote in the book—the last word being used for any kind of document, as for an indictment in Job 31:35, and here for a deed of conveyance. The minuteness with which the transaction is recorded is every way remarkable, partly as showing that the prophet was careful that no legal formality should be lacking to give validity to the purchase; partly, as the next verse shows, because there was a secret, unattested, unsealed (and in that sense “open”) document, which the witnesses did not subscribe, and with the contents of which they were probably not acquainted. The sealed document was one closed up as a safeguard against…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Jeremiah 32 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 10. I subscribed the evidence] We have here all the circumstances of this legal act: 1. An offer is made of the reversion of the ground, till the jubilee, to him who would then of right come into possession. 2. The price is agreed on, and the silver weighed in the balances. 3. A contract or deed of sale is drawn up, to which both parties agreeing, 4. Witnesses are brought forward to see it signed and sealed; for the contract was both subscribed and sealed. 5. A duplicate of the deed was drawn, which was not to be sealed, but to lie open for the inspection of those concerned, in some public place where it might be safe, and always to be seen. 6. The original, which was sealed up, was…
Read AdamClarke on Jeremiah 32 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges10. And I subscribed the deed] The following will explain the particulars of Jeremiah’s action as given here and in the next vv. “Contracts stamped upon clay tablets have been found in Babylonia, enclosed in an envelope of clay, on the outside of which an exact duplicate of the contract was impressed (see an illustration in Maspero, The Dawn of Civilization, p. 732): if in course of time any disagreement arose, and it was suspected that the outside text had been tampered with, the envelope was broken in the presence of witnesses to see if the inside text agreed with it or not. Earthen jars containing such duplicate contracts have been excavated at Nippur (Peters, Nippur; II. 198).” Dr. ad…
Read Cambridge on Jeremiah 32 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleTranslate: And I wrote the particulars of the purchase in the deed ... And I took the purchase-deed, both that which was sealed containing the oiler and the conditions, and that which was open etc.
Read Albert Barnes on Jeremiah 32 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales.
I signed the deed, sealed it, called witnesses, and weighed the money in the balances to him.
I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales.
I signed the deed of purchase, sealed it, and had some men serve as witnesses to the purchase. I weighed out the silver for him on a scale.
Tyndale line
And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
And I subscribed the deed, and sealed it, and called witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
And I subscribed the deed, and sealed it, and called witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
And I subscribed the contract, and sealed it , and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
And I writ it in the booke and signed it, and tooke witnesses, and weighed him the siluer in the balances.
Strictly literal
And I subscribed the writing, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed the money in the balances.
And I write in a book, and seal, and cause witnesses to testify, and weigh the silver in balances;
And I write in a scroll, and seal, and cause witnesses to testify, and weigh the silver in balances;
And I wrote it in a deed, and sealed it, and had it certified by witnesses, and weighed the money in balances.
Then I wrote in a scroll and sealed it, and had witnesses witness it. Then I weighed the silver in the scales.
From the Latin
And I wrote it in a book and sealed it, and took witnesses: and I weighed him the money in the balances.
Simplified
I signed the deed and sealed it, had it witnessed, and weighed out the silver using the scales.
And I put it in writing, stamping it with my stamp, and I took witnesses and put the money into the scales.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text (MT) of Jeremiah 32:10 reads: "וָאֶכְתֹּ֤ב בַּסֵּ֙פֶר֙ וָֽאֶחְתֹּ֔ם וָאָעֵ֖ד עֵדִ֑ים וָאֶשְׁקֹ֥ל הַכֶּ֖סֶף בְּמֹאזְנָֽיִם׃" The Septuagint (LXX) aligns closely with the MT, as it matches all eight words in a word-by-word correspondence, although the order and articles may differ. There are no significant differences between the MT and the LXX in this verse, indicating a strong agreement in the textual tradition for this passage.
וָאֶכְתֹּ֤ב בַּסֵּ֙פֶר֙ וָֽאֶחְתֹּ֔ם וָאָעֵ֖ד עֵדִ֑ים וָאֶשְׁקֹ֥ל הַכֶּ֖סֶף בְּמֹאזְנָֽיִם׃
8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Jeremiah 32:10
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word כָּתַב (*kathab*) means 'to write' and encompasses various forms of writing, including recording, enrolling, and decreeing. It can also refer to something being written or recorded. The entries indicate that it is a primitive root with frequent usage in different contexts.
כָּתַב 223 vb. write
Qal
write
= write down, describe in writing
= register, enroll
= decree
Niph.
be written
= be written down, recorded
Pi. frequent.
base
H3789 כָּתַב write .. write
. = write down, describe in writing
. = register, enroll
. = decree
. . be written
. = be written down, recorded
. frequent.
3789 kathab kaw-thab'
a primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write
(describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe):--describe, record,
prescribe, subscribe, write(-ing, -ten).
כָּתַב (ka.tav) — to write.
1) to write, record, enrol
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to write, inscribe, engrave, write in, write on
1a2) to write down, describe in writing
1a3) to register, enrol, record
1a4) to decree
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be written
1b2) to be written down, be recorded, be enrolled
1c) (Piel) to continue writing
Aramaic equivalent: ke.tav (כְּתַב "to write" H3790)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect first person common singularHc/Vqw1cs
סֵ֫פֶר (cepher) refers to a writing or document, encompassing meanings such as book, scroll, and missive. It can denote various types of texts, including legal documents, genealogical records, and scripture. The feminine form, סִפְרָה (siphrah), also signifies a book. Notably, it appears in contexts related to preservation and communication.
סֵ֫פֶר 185 n.m. missive, document, writing, book
missive
legal document
book or scroll, in which something is written to preserve it for future use
base
[סִפְרָה] n.f. book;—sf. ψ 56:9
ref
H5612a סֵ֫פֶר missive, document, writing, book . missive
. legal document
. book or scroll, in which something is written to preserve it for future use
H5612b סִפְרָה book
5612 cepher say'-fer
or (feminine) ciphrah (Psa. 56:8 (9)) {sif-raw'}; from 5608;
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a
book:--bill, book, evidence, X learn(-ed) (-ing), letter,
register, scroll.
see HEBREW for 09
see HEBREW for 05608
סֵ֫פֶר (se.pher) — scroll: document.
: document
1) missive, document, writing, book
1a) missive
1a1) letter (of instruction), written order, commission, request, written decree
1b) legal document, certificate of divorce, deed of purchase, indictment, sign
1c) book, scroll
1c1) book of prophecies
1c2) genealogical register
1c3) law-book
1c4) book (of poems)
1c5) book (of kings)
1c6) books of the canon, scripture
1c7) record book (of God)
1d) book-learning, writing
1d1) be able to read (after verb 'to know')
סִפְרָה (siph.rah) — scroll.
book
סֵ֫פֶר (se.pher) — scroll: book.
: book
1) missive, document, writing, book
1a) missive
1a1) letter (of instruction), written order, commission, request, written decree
1b) legal document, certificate of divorce, deed of purchase, indictment, sign
1c) book, scroll
1c1) book of prophecies
1c2) genealogical register
1c3) law-book
1c4) book (of poems)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
חָתַם (cha.tam) means to seal or affix a seal. It covers various forms, including sealing up, locking up, and being stopped. The verb appears in different stems, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating various nuances of sealing and closure. The Aramaic equivalent is also noted.
חָתַם vb. seal, affix seal, seal up
Qal
seal, affix one’s seal, in attestation
seal up, fasten up by sealing
Niph. (it was) written and sealed
Pi. lit. by day they seal up for themselves, i.e acc. to most, they shut themselves up
Hiph. or hath his flesh (genital organ) shewn stoppage by reason of his flux.
base
H2856 חָתַם seal, affix seal, seal up
2856 chatham khaw-tham'
a primitive root; to close up; especially to seal:--make an
end, mark, seal (up), stop.
חָתַם (cha.tam) — to seal.
1) to seal, seal up, affix a seal
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to seal, affix one's seal
1a2) to seal up, fasten up by sealing
1b) (Niphal) to seal
1c) (Piel) to lock up
1d) (Hiphil) to be stopped
Aramaic equivalent: cha.tam (חֲתַם "to seal" H2857)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect first person common singularHc/Vqw1cs
עוּד (uwd) is a Hebrew verb that primarily means to return, repeat, or do again. It also encompasses the idea of bearing witness or testifying, often with a sense of solemnity or urgency. The word can imply surrounding or restoring, and its various forms indicate actions like admonishing or warning. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
[עוּד] vb. prob. return, go about, repeat, do again
Pi. surround
Pōl‛ēl, restore, relieve
Hithpōl. be restored
base
עוּד vb. denom. bear witness
Qal Impf. < Hiph.
Hiph.
testify, bear witness
cause to testify, take as witness
protest, affirm solemnly, wanr
Hoph. and protest be entered
base
H5749a עוּד prob. return, go about, repeat, do again H5749b עוּד vb. denom. bear witness .Impf. < Hiph.
. . testify, bear witness
. cause to testify, take as witness
. protest, affirm solemnly, wanr
. and protest be entered
5749 `uwd ood
a primitive root; to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to
protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to
encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication):--admonish,
charge, earnestly, lift up, protest, call (take) to record,
relieve, rob, solemnly, stand upright, testify, give warning,
(bear, call to, give, take to) witness.
עוּד (ud) — to uphold.
1) to return, repeat, go about, do again
1a) (Piel) to surround, go round and round
1b) (Pilel) to restore, relieve
1c) (Hithpalel) to be restored
עוּד (ud) — to testify.
1) to bear witness
1a) (Qal) to bear witness, say again and again
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to testify, bear witness
1b2) to cause to testify, take or call as witness, invoke
1b3) to protest, affirm solemnly, warn, exhort or enjoin solemnly, admonish, charge
1c) (Hophal) to protest, give warning
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect first person common singularHc/Vhw1cs
עֵד (ed) means 'witness' and encompasses both the act of witnessing and the person who testifies. It is derived from a root suggesting emphatic affirmation. The term can refer to evidence of things or to individuals providing testimony.
עֵד 69 n.m. witness (prob. fr. reiterating, hence emphatically affirming)
witness, testimony, evidence, of things
witness, a person
base
H5707 עֵד witness (prob. fr. reiterating, hence emphatically affirming) . witness, testimony, evidence, of things
. witness, a person
5707 `ed ayd
contracted from 5749 ; concretely, a witness; abstractly,
testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince:--witness.
see HEBREW for 05749
עֵד (ed) — witness.
1) witness
1a) witness, testimony, evidence (of things)
1b) witness (of people)
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
The Hebrew word שָׁקַל (*shaqal*) means 'to weigh' and encompasses various usages such as weighing out a price or being weighed. It is a primitive root that can also imply the act of paying or spending. The entries highlight its application in trade and figuratively in contexts of grief.
שָׁקַל vb. weigh
Qal
weigh
weigh out a price
Niph. be weighed
base
H8254 שָׁקַל weigh
8254 shaqal shaw-kal'
a primitive root; to suspend or poise (especially in
trade):--pay, receive(-r), spend, X throughly, weigh.
שָׁקַל (sha.qal) — to weigh.
1) to weigh, weigh out, pay out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to weigh
1a2) to weigh out (a price)
1a3) of grief (fig)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be weighed
1b2) to be weighed out
Aramaic equivalent: te.qal (תְּקַל "to weigh" H8625A)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect first person common singularHc/Vqw1cs
כֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph) refers to silver and money, derived from a root meaning 'to be pale.' It encompasses various aspects of silver, including its use as a metal, ornament, and a measure of wealth or value. The term appears in contexts related to payment and price, indicating its significance in transactions.
כֶּ֫סֶף 402 n.m. silver, money
= silver ore, raw silver
silver as bright, shining
silver, as wealth
silver as spoil of war
silver as merchandise
silver as costly gift
silver as material
silver as measure of weight and value
among vbs. and phr.
base
H3701 כֶּ֫סֶף silver, money
3701 keceph keh'-sef
from 3700; silver (from its pale color); by implication,
money:--money, price, silver(-ling).
see HEBREW for 03700
כֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph) — silver: money.
: money/payment/silver
1) silver, money
1a) silver
1a1) as metal
1a2) as ornament
1a3) as colour
1b) money, shekels, talents
כֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph) — silver: price.
: price
1) silver, money
1a) silver
1a1) as metal
1a2) as ornament
1a3) as colour
1b) money, shekels, talents
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
sil'-ver (keceph; 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 Ge 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 (Ge 20:16…
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.
In very early times silver was used for ornaments, (Genesis 24:53) and for vessels of various kinds. Images for idolatrous worship were made of silver or overlaid with it, (Exodus 20:23; Hosea 13:2); Habb 2:19 Bar. 6:39, and the manufacture of silver shrines for Diana was a trade in Ephesus. (Acts 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, (2 Chronicles 9:14) and from Tarshish, (2 Chronicles 9:21) which supplied the markets…
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, Ge 13:2 20:16 23:16, and was used in constricting the tabernacle, Ex 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.
מֹאזֵן (mo'zen) refers to balances or scales, specifically in the dual form, indicating a pair. The term is linked to the root word for 'to weigh' and has an Aramaic equivalent. Its usage is consistent across the entries, focusing on the concept of weighing or measuring.
[מאזן] n.[m.]du. balances, scales
base
H3976 [מאזן] balances, scales
3976 mo'zen mo-zane'
from 239; (only in the dual) a pair of scales: -balances.
see HEBREW for 0239
מֹאזֵן (mo.zen) — balance.
scales, balances
Aramaic equivalent: mo.zen (מֹאזֵנְיָא "scale" H3977)
Prep | N-md — Preposition · noun common masculine dual absoluteHR/Ncmda
skalz
(1) qasqeseth "fish-scales";
(2) meghinnah, maghen, "scales of the crocodile";
(3) lepis, with verb lepizo "scale away" (Tobit 3:17; 11:13)):
(1) The first Hebrew word qasqeseth means the imbricated scales of fish, which together with the dorsal fin were a distinguishing mark of all fish allowed as food to the Israelite (Le 11:9 ff; De 14:9 f). In the figurative sense the word is used of a coat of mail (1Sa 17:5,38).