In biblical times, hinges were an essential component of doors, gates, and other movable structures, allowing them to swing open and closed. While the Bible does not frequently mention hinges explicitly, their presence is implied in various passages that describe doors and gates, which were common in ancient architecture.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 26:14 : "As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed." This verse uses the imagery of a door turning on its hinges to illustrate the laziness of a sluggard. The comparison suggests that just as a door moves back and forth without progressing, a sluggard remains inactive, lacking productivity or purpose.

2. 1 Kings 7:50 : "the cups, snuffers, bowls, dishes, and censers of pure gold; and the gold sockets for the doors of the inner temple (the Most Holy Place) and for the doors of the main hall of the temple." While this verse does not mention hinges directly, it describes the opulence and craftsmanship involved in the construction of the temple, including the doors, which would have required hinges to function.

3. Judges 3:23-25 : In the account of Ehud and King Eglon, the doors of the upper room are mentioned. "Then Ehud went out through the porch, closing and locking the doors of the upper room behind him. After Ehud was gone, Eglon’s servants came and found the doors of the upper room locked." The narrative implies the use of hinges, as the doors were functional and could be locked.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, doors and gates were vital for security and privacy. They were typically made of wood and reinforced with metal, such as bronze or iron, to ensure durability. Hinges, often crafted from similar materials, were crucial for the operation of these doors. The design and construction of hinges would have varied depending on the wealth and status of the building's owner, with more elaborate and durable hinges found in palaces and temples.

Symbolic Significance:

Hinges, though small and often overlooked, play a critical role in the function of doors. In a spiritual sense, they can symbolize the pivotal points in a believer's life, where decisions and actions determine the direction of one's faith journey. Just as hinges allow a door to open or close, choices made in accordance with God's will can lead to spiritual growth or stagnation.

Practical Application:

The metaphor of the door turning on its hinges in Proverbs 26:14 serves as a reminder to believers to avoid complacency and laziness. It encourages diligence and active engagement in one's spiritual and daily life, emphasizing the importance of being productive and purposeful in all endeavors.

In summary, while hinges are not frequently mentioned in the Bible, their implied presence in the construction of doors and gates highlights their importance in ancient architecture and provides rich metaphorical insights for spiritual reflection.6735b. tsir -- a pivot, hinge
... a pivot, hinge. Transliteration: tsir Short Definition: hinges. Word Origin from
an unused word Definition a pivot, hinge NASB Word Usage hinges (1). ...
/hebrew/6735b.htm - 5k

6596. poth -- perhaps a hinge
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition perhaps a hinge NASB Word Usage
foreheads (1), hinges (1). hinge, secret participle. Or pothah (Ezek. ...
/hebrew/6596.htm - 6k

The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
... The hinges of the gates of the Temple are heard as far as the eighth bound of the
sabbath"; that is, as far as a sabbath-day's journey eight times numbered. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 46 the country of.htm

Lift Up, Ye Princes of the Sky
... 1. Lift up, ye princes of the sky, Lift up your portals, lift them high; And you,
ye everlasting gates, Back on your golden hinges fly; For lo, the King of ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 32 lift up ye.htm

What the Big Chest Contained
... Will," John exclaimed in a hurried undertone"for all the boys had learned to speak
low when mentioning their plans""if we could take the hinges off from ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/byrum/how john became a man/chapter iii what the big.htm

Spelling God.
... Bending the will affects eyes and ears and mind. The hinges of eye and ear are
in the will. As the will bends those hinges move of themselves. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/spelling god.htm

Outside the Eden Gate.
... known. Through these comes all man knows of God. Both have their hinges in
the will, the heart. Man ... all. The fat clogs the hinges. There ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/outside the eden gate.htm

God's Will and Man's Will
... I. First, then, SALVATION HINGES UPON THE WILL OF GOD AND NOT UPON THE WILL
OF MAN. So saith out text""It is not of him that willeth ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/gods will and mans will.htm

A Heart-Breaking Verse.
... jealously"that box. It has heavy hinges, and double padlocks, and the keys
are held hard under the thumb of your will. Of course ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/a heart-breaking verse.htm

The King --Continued.
... victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative
are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xi the kingcontinued.htm

Christ the Breaker
... As the angel came to the sleeping Apostle, and to his light touch the iron gates
swung obedient on their hinges, and Roman soldiers who ought to have watched ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/christ the breaker.htm

Introductory Notice to Dionysius, Bishop of Rome.
... [2339] For a sententious statement of the subordination of the Son, on which so
much hinges in these inquiries, consult the same theologian. [2340]. ...
/.../dionysius/against the sabellians/introductory notice to dionysius bishop.htm

Hinges (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hinges (2 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 26:14 As the
door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed. ...
/h/hinges.htm - 7k

Hinge (1 Occurrence)
... "Doors in the East turn rather on pivots than on what we term hinges. ... 4.
(vt) To attach by, or furnish with, hinges. 5. (vt) To bend. ...
/h/hinge.htm - 9k

Door (249 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The frame or barrier of boards, or other material, usually turning on hinges,
by which an entrance way into a house or apartment is closed and opened. ...
/d/door.htm - 40k

Hinged (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Hinge. 2. (a.) Furnished with
hinges. Multi-Version Concordance Hinged (1 Occurrence). ...
/h/hinged.htm - 6k

Hinnom (11 Occurrences)

/h/hinnom.htm - 18k

Knives (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:50 and the basons, and the knives, and the bowls, and the cups, and the
censers of pure gold; and the hinges of gold, for the folding-doors of the ...
/k/knives.htm - 10k

Nave (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:50 and the cups, and the snuffers, and the basins, and the spoons, and
the fire pans, of pure gold; and the hinges, both for the doors of the inner ...
/n/nave.htm - 12k

Wick (10 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:50 and the cups, and the snuffers, and the basins, and the spoons, and
the fire pans, of pure gold; and the hinges, both for the doors of the inner ...
/w/wick.htm - 9k

Wit (28 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:50 and the cups, and the snuffers, and the basins, and the spoons, and
the fire pans, of pure gold; and the hinges, both for the doors of the inner ...
/w/wit.htm - 17k

Innermost (22 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:50 and the cups, and the snuffers, and the basins, and the pans, and the
fire-pans, of pure gold; and the hinges, both for the doors of the inner ...
/i/innermost.htm - 13k

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