In biblical contexts, "rims" often refer to the edges or borders of objects, particularly those used in religious or ceremonial settings. The term is used to describe the ornamental or functional edges of various items, such as wheels, basins, or other crafted objects. The concept of rims can be found in several passages throughout the Bible, where they are often associated with craftsmanship, divine instruction, and the beauty of sacred objects.

Rims in the Construction of the Tabernacle and Temple

The construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple involved detailed craftsmanship, where rims played a significant role in the design and function of sacred objects. In Exodus 25:11, the Ark of the Covenant is described as having a gold rim: "Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it." This molding, or rim, served both as a decorative element and as a symbol of the Ark's sanctity and divine origin.

Similarly, in 1 Kings 7:23-26, the description of the "Sea," a large basin used in the Temple, includes details about its rim: "Below the rim, gourds encircled it—ten per cubit. The gourds were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea." The intricate design of the rim highlights the importance of beauty and order in the worship of God.

Rims in Visionary and Prophetic Literature

Rims also appear in the visionary and prophetic literature of the Bible, where they often symbolize movement and divine presence. In Ezekiel 1:18, the prophet describes the rims of the wheels associated with the living creatures: "Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around." These rims, full of eyes, suggest the omniscience and omnipresence of God, as well as the dynamic nature of His divine chariot.

Symbolism and Theological Significance

Theologically, rims can symbolize the boundary between the sacred and the profane, the divine and the human. They mark the limits of holy objects, setting them apart for God's purposes. The detailed attention given to the design of rims in biblical descriptions underscores the importance of precision and reverence in worship practices.

In a broader sense, rims can also represent the completeness and perfection of God's creation. Just as a rim encircles and completes an object, God's sovereignty encompasses and perfects the universe. The presence of rims in biblical narratives serves as a reminder of the order and beauty inherent in God's design, both in the physical world and in the spiritual realm.1354. gab -- a back
... 1353, 1354. gab. 1355 . a back. Transliteration: gab Phonetic Spelling:
(gab) Short Definition: rims. Word Origin from an unused ...
/hebrew/1354.htm - 6k

In the Next Place, as it is his Object to Slander Our Scriptures.. ...
... She lifts the lid; she scatters griefs in air: Alone, beneath the vessel's rims
detained,. Hope still within th' unbroken cell remained,. ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxviii in the next.htm

Sky, Earth, and Sea: a Parable of God
... So the mercy of God towers above us, and stoops down towards us, rims us all about
and arches over us all, sheds down its dewy benedictions by night and by day ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/sky earth and sea a.htm

La Brea
... of all shapes, from ten to fifty feet across, close together side by side, their
tops being kept at exactly the same level, their rounded rims squeezed tight ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter viii la brea.htm

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
... them. The rims of most of these vessels were set with red jewels. The
three tribes differed somewhat in their clothing. [Please ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm

Rims (3 Occurrences)
...Rims (3 Occurrences). ... (WEB DBY NAS RSV NIV). Ezekiel 1:18 As for their rims, they
were high and dreadful; and they four had their rims full of eyes all around. ...
/r/rims.htm - 7k

Wheels (30 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:33 The work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel: their
axles, and their rims, and their spokes, and their naves, were all molten. ...
/w/wheels.htm - 16k

Spokes (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:33 The work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel: their
axles, and their rims, and their spokes, and their naves, were all molten. ...
/s/spokes.htm - 8k

Dreadful (23 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Ezekiel 1:18 As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and they
four had their rims full of eyes all around. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/d/dreadful.htm - 13k

Lofty (44 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Ezekiel 1:18 As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and
they four had their rims full of eyes all around. (See NAS). ...
/l/lofty.htm - 20k

Awesome (47 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Ezekiel 1:18 As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and they
four had their rims full of eyes all around. (See NAS NIV). ...
/a/awesome.htm - 20k

Ring (33 Occurrences)
... The "rings" of the wheels in Ezekiel 1:18 (the King James Version) are gabh, "curved,"
and mean "rims" (American Standard Revised Version), "felloes ...
/r/ring.htm - 24k

Naves (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Kings 7:33 The work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel: their
axles, and their rims, and their spokes, and their naves, were all molten. ...
/n/naves.htm - 6k

Rim'mon-per'ez (2 Occurrences)
Rim'mon-per'ez. Rimmon-perez, Rim'mon-per'ez. Rims . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Rimmon-perez, Rim'mon-per'ez. Rims . Reference Bible.
/r/rim'mon-per'ez.htm - 6k

Axles (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:33 The work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel: their
axles, and their rims, and their spokes, and their naves, were all molten. ...
/a/axles.htm - 7k

What are the ophanim? | GotQuestions.org

What were the wheels in Ezekiel 1? | GotQuestions.org

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