In biblical times, lids served both practical and symbolic purposes, often associated with containers used for storage, protection, and sacred rituals. While the term "lid" itself is not frequently mentioned in the Bible, the concept is evident in various contexts, particularly in relation to the Ark of the Covenant and other vessels.

The Ark of the Covenant:

One of the most significant uses of a lid in the Bible is the "mercy seat" on the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark, a sacred chest made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna (Hebrews 9:4). The lid of the Ark, known as the mercy seat, was made of pure gold and featured two cherubim with outstretched wings. It served as the place where God's presence would appear and where the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:14-15). The mercy seat symbolized God's throne and His covenant with Israel, representing both His justice and mercy.

Vessels and Containers:

Lids were also used in everyday life to cover various vessels and containers. In the ancient Near East, jars and pots often had lids to protect their contents from contamination and spoilage. While the Bible does not explicitly mention these lids, the use of covered vessels is implied in several passages. For example, in 2 Kings 4:4, the widow is instructed by Elisha to pour oil into vessels, which would have likely been covered to preserve the valuable oil.

Symbolic Uses:

Lids can also be seen as symbolic in biblical literature, representing concealment or protection. In Isaiah 25:7, the prophet speaks of God removing the "veil" that covers all nations, which can be likened to a lid being lifted to reveal truth and salvation. This imagery underscores the idea of God unveiling His purposes and bringing light to the world.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, lids were essential for maintaining the purity and sanctity of both sacred and mundane items. The use of lids in religious rituals, such as the covering of the Ark, highlights the importance of separation between the holy and the common, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture.

Conclusion:

While the Bible does not frequently mention lids explicitly, their presence is felt in the context of sacred objects and everyday life. The lid of the Ark of the Covenant, in particular, holds profound theological significance, symbolizing God's mercy and the atonement for sin. In a broader sense, lids in the Bible reflect themes of protection, concealment, and revelation, integral to understanding the relationship between God and His people.7280. raga' -- to disturb
... waves, the skin with boils); figuratively (in a favorable manner) to settle, ie
Quiet; specifically, to wink (from the motion of the eye-lids) -- break, divide ...
/hebrew/7280.htm - 5k

Christ Undoes the Work of the Demiurge; Docetic Account of the ...
... effulgent stars. And in this quarter of creation He again collects himself
beneath the lids of vision according as He wishes it. Now ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter iii christ undoes the work.htm

Here Upon Earth Souls Love what God Hates
... only that return His love, one would think it impossible, while He shines upon them,
to forbear to shine, but they are like the eye, mirrors with lids, and the ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/86 here upon earth souls.htm

When travelling lately through the Simplon
... fatigued at evening after the toils of the day, and longing for grateful repose,
he dare give no "sleep to his eyes, nor slumber to his eye-lids." His child ...
/.../the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/i when travelling lately through.htm

The Death of Saint James.
... Then they were placed in marble tombs with silver lids; and, to the present day,
Saint James, by all real Spaniards, is held in the highest esteem and reverence ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter eighteen the death of.htm

Imperial Caesar
... Julian with a sob of terror sprang out of range of his victim's gaze. After a time
he took courage and looked. The lids were fallen and the breast was still. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter vii imperial caesar.htm

The Prince Returns
... At times the boy, with the exquisite beauty of sleep on his heavy lids, would creep
over from his vigil at the door and lay his cool hand on the sick man's ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xii the prince returns.htm

Memento Mori
... the emptiness of worldly vanity. If we would but sin on our coffin lids,
we should sin far more seldom. Surely we should be kept ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/memento mori.htm

The Final Disillusion
... Suddenly there was a roar of shouting, the shout of the crowd hailing the fall of
the first wounded. His lids parted of themselves; he saw the flow of blood. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the final disillusion.htm

Meanwhile, Unconscious of the Miracle his Prayer had Wrought...
... of shadow, through which the sparkle of vision gleamed,"now warningly, now tenderly,"
and anon, these same half-shut and deep fringed lids would open wide ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/vii meanwhile unconscious of the.htm

The Next Day, and the Next after That, were Passed by the Cardinal ...
... of the difficult thread!"but no,- -the sunshine must have lessened and the days
grown darker and darker, till death came and gently shut up the lids of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/x the next day and.htm

Lids (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lids (1 Occurrence). Psalms 77:4 You hold my eyelids open.
I am so troubled that I can't speak. (Root in WEB JPS DBY NAS RSV). ...
/l/lids.htm - 6k

Blindness (7 Occurrences)
... to believe, as has been surmised, that blindness was any less rife in ancient times
than it is now, when defective eyes and bleared, inflamed lids are among ...
/b/blindness.htm - 19k

Lidebir

/l/lidebir.htm - 6k

Tear (97 Occurrences)
... Ordinarily the secretion passes through the lachrymal duct into the nose, but when
it is increased by emotion or other causes, it overflows the lids. ...
/t/tear.htm - 37k

Basket (40 Occurrences)
... Some had handles, others lids, some both, others neither. 1. Meaning of Old Testament
Terms: (1) Dudh was probably a generic term for various kinds of baskets. ...
/b/basket.htm - 27k

Chameleon (1 Occurrence)
... Its prominent eyes with circular lids, like iris diaphragms can be moved
independently of each other, and add to its striking appearance. ...
/c/chameleon.htm - 11k

Lie (291 Occurrences)

/l/lie.htm - 48k

Libraries
... Such chests were common among the Jews later, some with lids and some with
side-opening (Jewish Encyclopedia, II, 107-108; Blau, 178). ...
/l/libraries.htm - 38k

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