Bible Dictionary: Key

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Smith's Bible Dictionary

Key

The key of a native Oriental lock is a piece of wood, from seven inches to two feet in length, fitted with the wires or short nails, which, being inserted laterally into the hollow bolt which serves as a lock, raises other pins within the staple so as to allow the bolt to be drawn back. (Keys were sometimes of bronze or iron, and so large that one was as much as a man could carry. They are used in Scripture as a symbol of authority and power. Giving keys to a person signifies the intrusting of him with an important charge. (Matthew 16:19) In England in modern times certain officers of the government receive, at their induction into office, a golden key. --ED.)

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Frequently mentioned in Scripture. It is called in Hebrew maphteah, i.e., the opener (Judges 3:25); and in the Greek New Testament kleis, from its use in shutting (Matthew 16:19; Luke 11:52; Revelation 1:18, etc.). Figures of ancient Egyptian keys are frequently found on the monuments, also of Assyrian locks and keys of wood, and of a large size (Comp. Isaiah 22:22).

The word is used figuratively of power or authority or office (Isaiah 22:22; Revelation 3:7; Revelation 1:8; Comp. 9:1; 20:1; Comp. also Matthew 16:19; 18:18). The "key of knowledge" (Luke 11:52; Comp. Matthew 23:13) is the means of attaining the knowledge regarding the kingdom of God. The "power of the keys" is a phrase in general use to denote the extent of ecclesiastical authority.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place.

2. (n.) An instrument which is turned like a key in fastening or adjusting any mechanism; as, a watch key; a bed key, etc.

3. (n.) That part of an instrument or machine which serves as the means of operating it; as, a telegraph key; the keys of a pianoforte, or of a typewriter.

4. (n.) A position or condition which affords entrance, control, pr possession, etc.; as, the key of a line of defense; the key of a country; the key of a political situation. Hence, that which serves to unlock, open, discover, or solve something unknown or difficult; as, the key to a riddle; the key to a problem.

5. (n.) That part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make fast, or adjust to position.

6. (n.) A piece of wood used as a wedge.

7. (n.) The last board of a floor when laid down.

8. (n.) A keystone.

9. (n.) That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place.

10. (n.) A wedge to unite two or more pieces, or adjust their relative position; a cotter; a forelock.

11. (n.) A bar, pin or wedge, to secure a crank, pulley, coupling, etc., upon a shaft, and prevent relative turning; sometimes holding by friction alone, but more frequently by its resistance to shearing, being usually embedded partly in the shaft and partly in the crank, pulley, etc.

12. (n.) An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara; -- called also key fruit.

13. (n.) A family of tones whose regular members are called diatonic tones, and named key tone (or tonic) or one (or eight), mediant or three, dominant or five, subdominant or four, submediant or six, supertonic or two, and subtonic or seven. Chromatic tones are temporary members of a key, under such names as sharp four, flat seven, etc. Scales and tunes of every variety are made from the tones of a key.

14. (n.) The fundamental tone of a movement to which its modulations are referred, and with which it generally begins and ends; keynote.

15. (n.) Fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance.

16. (v. t.) To fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

KEY

ke (maphteach, an "opener"; compare kleis, "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).

Edward Bagby Pollard

Greek

2807. kleis -- a key
... 2806, 2807. kleis. 2808 . a key. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
kleis Phonetic Spelling: (klice) Short Definition: a key Definition: a key ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2807.htm - 6k

5429. phronimos -- practically wise, sensible
... derived from 5424 , "personal perspective regulating outward behavior," and the
root of the English term "diaphragm" which controls key body functions ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5429.htm - 8k

5440. phulakterion -- an outpost, fortification, an amulet
... 5440 (from 5442 , "to keep, preserve") -- ; small, leather cases containing four
key passages of Scripture (Ex 13:1-10, 11-16; Dt 6:4-9, 13-21). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5440.htm - 7k

1321. didasko -- to teach
... Word of God). The key role of Scripture is shown by its in the NT, and
the variety of word-forms (cognates). [This includes three ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1321.htm - 9k

2033. hepta -- seven
... The number in Scripture often has the meaning, "God's ." Indeed, this symbolic sense
is often key to interpreting texts that use the number , both in the OT ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2033.htm - 6k

1065. ge -- emphasizes the word to which it is joined
... 1065 () adds the idea " ()" which stresses the part of a comparison (a two-part
statement). 1065 () "the key idea/word that it" (, 1148; B umlein, 54). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1065.htm - 7k

302. an -- usually untranslatable, but generally denoting ...
... Accordingly, 302 () is often called the " particle." However, it always influences
("conditions") its sentence and is key to properly understanding the verse ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/302.htm - 8k

3129. manthano -- to learn
... 3129 (akin to 3101 , "a disciple") -- properly, key facts; gaining " as someone
learns from experience, often with the implication of -- 'come to realize ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3129.htm - 8k

32. aggelos -- a messenger, angel
... For example, 32 () in Rev 1:20 can refer to heavenly angels or key leaders (perhaps
pastors) of the seven churches. [32 () can refer to "a messenger" (cf. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/32.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew

4668. maphteach -- a key
... 4667, 4668. maphteach. 4669 . a key. Transliteration: maphteach Phonetic
Spelling: (maf-tay'-akh) Short Definition: key. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/4668.htm - 6k

Library

A Key to the Apocalypse
A Key to the Apocalypse. <. A Key to the Apocalypse Joseph Mede. Table
of Contents. Title Page. THE APOCALYPTICAL KEY; PART I. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/

A Key to the Knowledge of Church History
A Key to the Knowledge of Church History. <. A Key to the Knowledge
of Church History John Henry Blunt. E-text prepared ...
//christianbookshelf.org/blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/

The Apocalyptical Key;
A Key to the Apocalypse. <. ... THE APOCALYPTICAL KEY; or, The synchronism
and order of the Apocalyptical Prophecies, according ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the apocalyptical key.htm

Whether Christ had the Key?
... OF THE MINISTERS OF THE KEYS (SIX ARTICLES) Whether Christ had the key?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ did not have the key. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ had the key.htm

Whether the Key is the Power of Binding and Loosing, Etc. ?
... OF THE POWER OF THE KEYS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether the key is the power
of binding and loosing, etc.? Objection 1: It would seem ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the key is the.htm

Key to the Sounds of the Vowels in the Ojibway.
... KEY TO THE SOUNDS OF THE VOWELS IN THE OJIBWAY. A long, as in May, day,
navy, came, main. E short, as in men, Ned, wed, enemy. EE ...
/.../a collection of gospel hymns in ojibway and english/key to the sounds of.htm

Whether a Priest Can Use the Key which He Has, on any Man?
... OF THOSE ON WHOM THE POWER OF THE KEYS CAN BE EXERCISED (THREE ARTICLES)
Whether a priest can use the key which he has, on any man? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a priest can use.htm

Nearness to God the Key to Life's Puzzle
... VOLUME II: PSALMS LI to CXLV NEARNESS TO GOD THE KEY TO LIFE'S PUZZLE.
'It is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/nearness to god the key.htm

Get the Key to Job.
... Get the Key to Job. ... The seventh head was when God showed him His face. Well, I
learned the key to the Bible. I cannot tell how this helped me. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/get the key to job.htm

The Key-Note of a Choice Sonnet
... The Key-Note of a Choice Sonnet. A Sermon (No.1514). Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,.
At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "My soul ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the key-note of a choice.htm

Thesaurus

Key (8 Occurrences)
... also Matthew 16:19; 18:18). The "key of knowledge" (Luke 11:52; Comp. Matthew
23:13) is the means of attaining the knowledge regarding the kingdom of God. ...
/k/key.htm - 14k

Natural (49 Occurrences)
... 13. (a.) of or pertaining to a key which has neither a flat nor a sharp
for its signature, as the key of C major. 14. (a.) Applied ...
/n/natural.htm - 42k

Power (862 Occurrences)
... DATA FOR DECIDING THE QUESTIONS INVOLVED 1. Passages Employing the Terms "Key,"
"Binding and Loosing" 2. Related Passages 3. Examples of Exercise of This Power ...
/p/power.htm - 66k

Outsider (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A locksmith's pinchers for grasping the point of a key in the keyhole,
to open a door from the outside when the key is inside. ...
/o/outsider.htm - 9k

Wrest (8 Occurrences)
... distort. 3. (vt) To tune with a wrest, or key. 4 ... perversion. 5. (n.) Active or moving
power. 6. (n.) A key to tune a stringed instrument of music. 7 ...
/w/wrest.htm - 10k

Ward (27 Occurrences)
... 11. (n.) A projecting ridge of metal in the interior of a lock, to prevent the use
of any key which has not a corresponding notch for passing it. 12. ...
/w/ward.htm - 19k

Fifth (65 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The interval of three tones and a semitone, embracing five diatonic degrees
of the scale; the dominant of any key. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/fifth.htm - 28k

Bolt (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A sliding catch, or fastening, as for a door or gate; the portion of
a lock which is shot or withdrawn by the action of the key. ...
/b/bolt.htm - 11k

Bottomless (9 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY). Revelation 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from
heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. ...
/b/bottomless.htm - 10k

Shuts (12 Occurrences)
... Revelation 3:7 "To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: "He who is holy,
he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can ...
/s/shuts.htm - 9k

Bible Concordance

Key (8 Occurrences)

Luke 11:52 Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge. You didn't enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Revelation 3:7 "To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: "He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things:
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Revelation 9:1 The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Revelation 20:1 I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 3:25 They waited until they were ashamed; and behold, he didn't open the doors of the upper room: therefore they took the key, and opened them, and behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 9:27 They lodged around the house of God, because that duty was on them; and to them pertained its opening morning by morning.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 22:22 I will lay the key of the house of David on his shoulder. He will open, and no one will shut. He will shut, and no one will open.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 33:6 And she will have no more fear of change, being full of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge: the fear of the Lord is her wealth.
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Key

Key: A Symbol of Authority

Key: Figurative

Key: General Scriptures Concerning

Related Terms

Natural (49 Occurrences)

Power (862 Occurrences)

Outsider (9 Occurrences)

Wrest (8 Occurrences)

Ward (27 Occurrences)