kē ( מפתּה , maphtēaḥ , an "opener"; compare κλείς , kleı̄s , "that which shuts"): Made of wood, usually with nails which fitted into corresponding holes in the lock, or rather bolt ( Judges 3:25 ). Same is rendered "opening" in 1 Chronicles 9:27 . See HOUSE .
Figurative: Used figuratively for power, since the key was sometimes worn on the shoulder as a sign of official authority (Isaiah 22-22 ). In the New Testament it is used several times thus figuratively: of Peter: "the keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 16:19 ); of Christ, in Revelation, having the "keys of death and of Hades" (Revelation 1:18 ), also having "the key of David" (Revelation 3:7 ). An angel was given "the key of the pit of the abyss" (Revelation 9:1; Revelation 20:1 ). our Lord accused the teachers of the law of His day of taking away "the key of knowledge" from men, that is, locking the doors of truth against them (Luke 11:52; compare Matthew 23:13 ).
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
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