In biblical times, the construction and design of chariots and carts were essential for transportation, warfare, and trade. The term "spokes" refers to the rods or bars that connect the center of a wheel (the hub) to its outer edge (the rim). While the Bible does not explicitly mention "spokes" in the context of wheel construction, the concept is integral to understanding the design of ancient vehicles mentioned in Scripture.

Chariots and Carts in the Bible

Chariots are frequently mentioned in the Bible, often symbolizing power, speed, and military strength. For instance, in Exodus 14:25, during the pursuit of the Israelites, the Lord caused the wheels of the Egyptian chariots to swerve, leading to their downfall: "He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty. So the Egyptians said, 'Let us flee from the Israelites, for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.'" . The construction of these chariots, including their wheels and spokes, would have been crucial for their effectiveness in battle.

In 1 Kings 7:33, the description of the wheels of Solomon's temple carts provides insight into the craftsmanship of the time: "The wheels were made like chariot wheels; their axles, rims, spokes, and hubs were all of cast metal." . This passage highlights the use of metal in the construction of spokes, indicating a level of technological advancement and attention to detail in the design of sacred objects.

Symbolism and Imagery

The imagery of wheels and their components, including spokes, is also present in prophetic visions. In Ezekiel 1:16, the prophet describes a vision of heavenly beings and their accompanying wheels: "The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship was like the gleam of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. Their appearance and workmanship were like a wheel within a wheel." . While the text does not specifically mention spokes, the complexity and divine nature of these wheels suggest a design far beyond human craftsmanship, symbolizing the omnipresence and omnipotence of God.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, the development of spoked wheels was a significant technological advancement. Spoked wheels were lighter and more efficient than solid wheels, allowing for faster and more maneuverable chariots. This innovation played a crucial role in the military strategies of ancient civilizations, including those mentioned in the Bible.

The use of spokes in wheel construction reflects the broader theme of human ingenuity and the utilization of available resources to fulfill God's purposes. Whether in the context of warfare, trade, or religious ceremony, the design and function of wheels and their spokes were integral to the daily life and spiritual symbolism of biblical peoples.2839. chishshuq -- spoke (of a wheel)
... chishshuq or chishshuq. 2840 . spoke (of a wheel). Transliteration: chishshuq
or chishshuq Phonetic Spelling: (khish-shook') Short Definition: spokes. ...
/hebrew/2839.htm - 6k

2840. chishshur -- a nave, hub (of a wheel)
... spoke. From an unused root meaning to bind together; combined, ie The nave or hub
of a wheel (as holding the spokes together) -- spoke. 2839, 2840. ...
/hebrew/2840.htm - 6k

Christian Unity.
... Britishers at Henley. Holiness people of every church unite to "push holiness.".
THE SPOKES AND THE HUB. When the glorious grace ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter v christian unity.htm

Preparing to Depart
... accustomed place. The years whirl along so fast that we cannot see the months
which, as it were, make the spokes of the wheel. The ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/preparing to depart.htm

The Way of Fellowship
... Indeed it cannot do one without the other. As the spokes get nearer the
centre of the wheel, they get nearer to one another. But ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 3 the way of.htm

Thomas and Jesus
... The keystone was struck out of the arch, and this brick tumbled away of itself.
The hub was taken out of the wheel, and the spokes fell apart. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/thomas and jesus.htm

'As I have Loved'
... Will the arch stand when the keystone is struck out? Will not the spokes
fall asunder when the nave of the wheel is taken away? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/as i have loved.htm

The Risen Lord's Self-Revelation to Wavering Disciples
... What arrested that process? Why did not the spokes fall asunder when the centre
was removed? John's disciples crumbled away after his death. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the risen lords self-revelation to.htm

Of the Antipodes, the Heaven, and the Stars.
... that such is the nature of things, that heavy bodies are borne to the middle, and
that they are all joined together towards the middle, as we see spokes in a ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxiv of the antipodes the.htm

The Nineteenth Century. November 14.
... gleam cold a moment against the sky and vanish; and rocks and grass and bushes fleet
by in dim blended lines; and the long hedges revolve like the spokes of a ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /the nineteenth century november 14.htm

God and his Saints
... 'All His saints are in Thy hand.' Do not try to get out of it; be content to let
it guide you as the steersman's hand turns the spokes of the wheel and directs ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/god and his saints.htm

Of the Building of this Temple
... Any one who saw the spokes of the wheels, how exactly they were turned, and united
to the sides of the bases, and with what harmony they agreed to the felloes ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 of the building.htm

Spokes (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Spokes (6 Occurrences). 1 Kings 7:32 And the
four wheels 'are' under the borders, and the spokes of the ...
/s/spokes.htm - 8k

Wheel (20 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A circular frame turning about an axis; a rotating disk, whether solid,
or a frame composed of an outer rim, spokes or radii, and a central hub or nave ...
/w/wheel.htm - 18k

Chariot (102 Occurrences)
... chief pieces of the Hebrew chariot were (1) the pole to which the two horses were
yoked, (2) the axle-resting upon two wheels with six or eight spokes (1 Kings ...
/c/chariot.htm - 55k

Nave (19 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The block in the center of a wheel, from which the spokes radiate, and through
which the axle passes; -- called also hub or hob. 2. (n.) The navel. ...
/n/nave.htm - 12k

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

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

Web (5 Occurrences)
... 14. (n.) A disk or solid construction serving, instead of spokes, for connecting
the rim and hub, in some kinds of car wheels, sheaves, etc. 15. ...
/w/web.htm - 9k

Workmanship (15 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:33 And the work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel; their
axletrees, and their felloes, and their spokes, and their naves, were all ...
/w/workmanship.htm - 11k

Felloes (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Kings 7:33 And the work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel: their
axletrees, and their naves, and their felloes, and their spokes, were all ...
/f/felloes.htm - 6k

Fellies (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Kings 7:33 And the work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel: their
axletrees, and their naves, and their fellies, and their spokes, were all ...
/f/fellies.htm - 6k

Spokes: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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