In biblical times, the term "board" refers to a flat piece of wood used in various contexts, including construction, transportation, and offerings. The use of boards is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, illustrating their importance in ancient craftsmanship and religious practices.

Construction and Tabernacle Use

Boards were integral to the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites during their wilderness journey. In Exodus 26, detailed instructions are given for the construction of the Tabernacle, including the use of boards:

"You are to construct the Tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them. ... You are to make upright frames of acacia wood for the Tabernacle. Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide." (Exodus 26:1, 15-16)

These boards, made of acacia wood, were overlaid with gold and served as the structural framework for the Tabernacle. They were held together by silver bases and gold rings, demonstrating the intricate and sacred nature of the Tabernacle's construction.

Transportation

Boards were also used in the construction of ships and boats, as seen in the account of Paul's shipwreck in Acts 27. During the storm, the ship was broken apart, and the boards became a means of survival for those on board:

"The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land." (Acts 27:44)

This passage highlights the practical use of boards in ancient maritime activities, serving as both structural components and life-saving devices.

Offerings and Rituals

In the context of offerings and rituals, boards were used as part of the altar construction. The altar of burnt offering, described in Exodus 27, was made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze:

"You are to construct the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar is to be square, and three cubits high." (Exodus 27:1)

The boards used in the altar's construction were essential for its function in the sacrificial system, where offerings were made to atone for sin and express devotion to God.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Boards, as part of the Tabernacle and altar, hold symbolic significance in the biblical narrative. They represent the stability and permanence of God's presence among His people. The use of acacia wood, known for its durability and resistance to decay, further underscores the enduring nature of God's covenant and His faithfulness.

In summary, boards in the Bible serve both practical and symbolic purposes, reflecting the craftsmanship and spiritual devotion of the ancient Israelites. They are a testament to the meticulous care taken in constructing sacred spaces and the reliance on God's provision and protection.1. (n.) A piece of timber sawed thin, and of considerable length and breadth as compared with the thickness, -- used for building, etc.

2. (n.) A table to put food upon.

3. (n.) Hence: What is served on a table as food; stated meals; provision; entertainment; -- usually as furnished for pay; as, to work for one's board; the price of board.

4. (n.) A table at which a council or court is held. Hence: A council, convened for business, or any authorized assembly or meeting, public or private; a number of persons appointed or elected to sit in council for the management or direction of some public or private business or trust; as, the Board of Admiralty; a board of trade; a board of directors, trustees, commissioners, etc.

5. (n.) A square or oblong piece of thin wood or other material used for some special purpose, as, a molding board; a board or surface painted or arranged for a game; as, a chessboard; a backgammon board.

6. (n.) Paper made thick and stiff like a board, for book covers, etc.; pasteboard; as, to bind a book in boards.

7. (n.) The stage in a theater; as, to go upon the boards, to enter upon the theatrical profession.

8. (n.) The border or side of anything.

9. (n.) The side of a ship.

10. (n.) The stretch which a ship makes in one tack.

11. (v. t.) To cover with boards or boarding; as, to board a house.

12. (n.) To go on board of, or enter, as a ship, whether in a hostile or a friendly way.

13. (n.) To enter, as a railway car.

14. (n.) To furnish with regular meals, or with meals and lodgings, for compensation; to supply with daily meals.

15. (n.) To place at board, for compensation; as, to board one's horse at a livery stable.

16. (v. i.) To obtain meals, or meals and lodgings, statedly for compensation; as, he boards at the hotel.

17. (v. t.) To approach; to accost; to address; hence, to woo.

BOARD

bord (qeresh, "a slab or plank," "deck of a ship," "bench," "board"): This word is found in Exodus 26:16-21; Exodus 36:21; its plural occurs in Exodus 26:15, 17-29; Exodus 35:11; Exodus 36:20-34; 39:33:00; 40:18 Numbers 3:36; Numbers 4:31. This word also is used in translation of luach (Exodus 27:8; Exodus 38:7 Songs 8:9 Ezekiel 27:5 the King James Version) = "a tablet" (of stone, wood or metal), "board," "plate," "table"; also of tsla` = "rib," hence, a "side," "timber," "plank" (1 Kings 6:15 f). In 1 Kings 6:9, sedherah = "a rank," "a row," hence, "a range" or "board" is used. In the New Testament we find the expression "on board" in Acts 27:44 the King James Version, in translation of epi sanisin = "planks."

Frank E. Hirsch

4548. sanis -- a board
... a board. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sanis Phonetic Spelling:
(san-ece') Short Definition: a plank, board Definition: a plank, board. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4548.htm - 6k

1688. embibazo -- to place on, to put on board
... to place on, to put on board. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: embibazo Phonetic
Spelling: (em-bib-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I embark, put on board ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1688.htm - 6k

4094. pinax -- a board, dish
... a board, dish. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: pinax Phonetic Spelling:
(pin'-ax) Short Definition: a plate, platter Definition: a plate ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4094.htm - 6k

353. analambano -- to take up, raise
... analambano Phonetic Spelling: (an-al-am-ban'-o) Short Definition: I take up, raise
Definition: I take up, raise; I pick up, take on board; I carry off, lead ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/353.htm - 7k

4822. sumbibazo -- to join together, hence to consider, by ext. to ...
... 4822 (from 4862 , "identified " and 1688 , "to board a ship") -- properly, (combine),
"causing to stride together" (); (figuratively) to grasp a truth by ideas ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4822.htm - 8k

1910. epibaino -- to go aboard, to go up to
... to go up to. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epibaino Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-bah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I step on, mount, board Definition: (a) I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1910.htm - 7k

5273. hupokrites -- one who answers, an actor, a hypocrite
... When applied in the NT, it refers to . "Christianity requires that believers
should be open and above-board. They should be themselves. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5273.htm - 7k

4109. plax -- anything flat and broad, hence a flat stone
... table, tablet. From plasso; a moulding-board, ie Flat surface ("plate", or tablet,
literally or figuratively) -- table. see GREEK plasso. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4109.htm - 6k

1684. embaino -- to walk on, to step into, ie embark
... as basis Definition to walk on, to step into, ie embark NASB Word Usage embarked
(1), entered (1), get (2), getting (3), got (9), stepped (1), went on board (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1684.htm - 7k

3871. luach -- a tablet, board or plank, a plate
... a tablet, board or plank, a plate. Transliteration: luach or luach Phonetic Spelling:
(loo'-akh) Short Definition: tablets. ... board, plate, table. ...
/hebrew/3871.htm - 6k

7175b. qeresh -- board, boards
... 7175a, 7175b. qeresh. 7176 . board, boards. Transliteration: qeresh Short
Definition: boards. Word Origin from an unused word Definition ...
/hebrew/7175b.htm - 5k

6763. tsela -- rib, side
... chambers (10), sides (5), walls (1). beam, board, chamber, corner, leaf,
plank, rib, side chamber. Or (feminine) tsaltah {tsal-aw ...
/hebrew/6763.htm - 6k

7713. sederah -- row, rank (of soldiers)
... board, range. From an unused root meaning to regulate; a row, ie Rank (of soldiers),
story (of rooms) -- board, range. 7712, 7713. sederah. 7714 . ...
/hebrew/7713.htm - 6k

7175. qeresh -- perhaps to tear down
... bench, board From an unused root meaning to split off; a slab or plank; by implication,
a deck of a ship -- bench, board. 7174b, 7175. qeresh. 7175a . ...
/hebrew/7175.htm - 5k

8564. tamrur -- perhaps signpost
... high heap. From the same root as tamar; an erection, ie Pillar (probably for a
guide-board) -- high heap. see HEBREW tamar. 8563, 8564. tamrur. 8565 . ...
/hebrew/8564.htm - 6k

7824. sachiph -- perhaps paneled
... cieled with. From the same as shachaph; a board (as chipped thin) -- cieled with.
see HEBREW shachaph. 7823, 7824. sachiph. 7825 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7824.htm - 6k

Life on Board
... Chapter 1. Wesley as a Missionary to Georgia Life on Board. The time from
dinner to four we spent in reading to those whom each of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/the journal of john wesley/life on board.htm

Kallihirua on Board the "Assistance"
... Kallihirua on board the "Assistance". It was after this first interview that the
report was raised of the massacre of two ships' crews in 1846. ...
/.../murray/kalli the esquimaux christian /kallihirua on board the assistance.htm

Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions.
... Presbyterian Board Of Foreign Missions. Until within a few years, this body of
Christians united with the American board in their operations among the heathen. ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/presbyterian board of foreign missions.htm

American Board of Foreign Missions.
... American Board Of Foreign Missions. ... C. Kingsbury. The Choctaws, the Chickasaws, the
Osages, and other tribes, have since shared the labors of the board. ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/american board of foreign missions.htm

American Baptist Board of Foreign Missions.
... STATISTICS OF CHURCHES. American Baptist Board Of Foreign Missions. MISSIONS
IN ASIA."Rev. A. Judson may be said to be the father ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/american baptist board of foreign.htm

Episcopal Missions.
... At each triennial meeting of the General Convention, a Board of Missions, consisting
of about one hundred members, is selected from the different dioceses. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/episcopal missions.htm

The Westminster Catechisms.
... Catechism. London, 1708; Edinb.1799; Presbyterian Board of Publication,
Philadelphia. ... Phila.1841, 2 vols., Presbyt. Board of Publ. Jonathan ...
/.../ 96 the westminster catechisms.htm

Paul's Shipwreck
... We went on board a ship which was bound for the seaports of Asia Minor. ... There the
officer found a ship from Alexandria bound for Italy and put us on board. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/pauls shipwreck.htm

The Church and Other Rural Agencies
... Studies of rural church conditions made by the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions
and other agencies, of rural health by the National Public Health Service ...
/.../vogt/church cooperation in community life/chapter ix the church and.htm

The Separation of the Provinces, 1857-1899.
... to be nominated by the German Provincial Synod; and in order that the British and
American Provinces should have a court of appeal, a new board, called the ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vii the separation of.htm

Board (47 Occurrences)
... n.) Hence: What is served on a table as food; stated meals; provision; entertainment; --
usually as furnished for pay; as, to work for one's board; the price ...
/b/board.htm - 23k

Writing-board (1 Occurrence)
Writing-board. Writing, Writing-board. Writings . Multi-Version
Concordance Writing-board (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 8:1 ...
/w/writing-board.htm - 6k

Board-work (1 Occurrence)
Board-work. Boards, Board-work. Boast . Multi-Version Concordance
Board-work (1 Occurrence). Song of Songs 8:9 If she ...
/b/board-work.htm - 6k

Frame (33 Occurrences)
... (BBE RSV). Exodus 26:16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and one
and a half cubits the breadth of each board. (See RSV NIV). ...
/f/frame.htm - 19k

Sockets (44 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:19 You shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two
sockets under one board for its two tenons, and two sockets under another ...
/s/sockets.htm - 20k

Frames (47 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Exodus 26:17 There shall be two tenons in each board, joined to one
another: thus you shall make for all the boards of the tabernacle. ...
/f/frames.htm - 17k

Tenons (4 Occurrences)
... Tenons (4 Occurrences). Exodus 26:17 There shall be two tenons in each board, joined
to one another: thus you shall make for all the boards of the tabernacle. ...
/t/tenons.htm - 7k

Bases (80 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 26:19 With forty silver bases under the twenty boards, two bases
under every board to take its tongues. (BBE DBY RSV NIV). ...
/b/bases.htm - 29k

Table (125 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A smooth, flat surface, like the side
of a board; a thin, flat, smooth piece of anything; a slab. ...
/t/table.htm - 62k

Boards (50 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:17 There shall be two tenons in each board, joined to one another:
thus you shall make for all the boards of the tabernacle. ...
/b/boards.htm - 21k

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