Dictionaries :: Nail

Nail:

for fastening. (1.) Hebrew yathed, "piercing," a peg or nail of any material (Eze 15:3), more especially a tent-peg (Exd 27:19; 35:18; 38:20), with one of which Jael (q.v.) pierced the temples of Sisera (Jdg 4:21,22). This word is also used metaphorically (Zec 10:4) for a prince or counsellor, just as "the battle-bow" represents a warrior.

(2.) Masmer, a "point," the usual word for a nail. The words of the wise are compared to "nails fastened by the masters of assemblies" (Ecc 12:11, A.V.). The Revised Version reads, "as nails well fastened are the words of the masters," etc. Others (as Plumptre) read, "as nails fastened are the masters of assemblies" (Isa 22:23; Ezr 9:8). David prepared nails for the temple (1Ch 22:3; 2Ch 3:9). The nails by which our Lord was fixed to the cross are mentioned (Jhn 20:25; Col 2:14).

Nail of the finger (Heb. tsipporen, "scraping"). To "pare the nails" is in Deu 21:12 (marg., "make," or "dress," or "suffer to grow") one of the signs of purification, separation from former heathenism (Lev 14:8; Num 8:7). In Jer 17:1 this word is rendered "point."

Nail:

nal:

(1) As denoting the finger-nail, the Hebrew word is tsipporen (De 21:12), the captive woman "shall shave her head, and pare her nails." The latter was probably intended to prevent her from marring her beauty by scratching her face, an act of self-mutilation oriental women are repeatedly reported to have committed in the agony of their grief. Aramaic Tephar (Da 4:33, "his nails like birds' claws").

(2) As pin or peg (for tents, or driven into the wall) the word is yathedh (in Jud 4:21 the Revised Version (British and American), "tent-pin"); in Isa 22:23, "a nail in a sure place" is a peg firmly driven into the wall on which something is to be hung (22:24); compare Ec 12:11, where the word is masmeroth, cognate with macmer below. (3) For nails of iron (1Ch 22:3) and gold (2Ch 3:9), and in Isa 41:7 and Jer 10:4, the word is macmer. (4) In the New Testament the word is helos, used of the nails in Christ's hands (Joh 20:25), and "to nail" in Col 2:14 ("nailing it to the cross") is proseloo.

In a figurative sense the word is used of the hard point of a stylus or engraving tool: "The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point (literally, "claw," "nail") of a diamond: it is graven upon the tablet of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars" (Jer 17:1).

Written by James Orr

Nail: (Or Peg)

Isa 41:7; Jer 10:4

Nail: Made

Of iron,

1Ch 22:3;

of gold,

2Ch 3:9.

Nail: Jael Kills Sisera With

Jdg 4:21

Nail: Figurative:

Ezr 9:8; Isa 22:23, 25; Zec 10:4

Nail:

(1.) Of finger.

(a). A nail or claw of man or animal.

(b). A point or style e.g. for writing; (see Jeremiah 17:1).

(2.)(a). A nail (Isaiah 11:7) a stake (Isaiah 33:20) also a tent‐peg. Tent‐pegs were usually of wood and of large size; but some times, as was the case with those used to fasten the curtains of the tabernacle of metal (Exodus 27:19; 38:20).

(b). A nail, primarily a point. We are told that David prepared iron for the nails to be used in the temple; and as the holy of holies was plated with gold, the nails for fastening the plates were probably of gold.