In biblical literature, the concept of "thickness" is often used metaphorically and literally to describe physical dimensions, spiritual conditions, and divine manifestations. The term appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both the tangible and intangible aspects of God's creation and presence.

Physical Dimensions

The Bible frequently uses "thickness" to describe the physical dimensions of objects, particularly in the context of construction and craftsmanship. In the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple, specific measurements were given to ensure the structures were built according to divine specifications. For instance, in the description of Solomon's Temple, the thickness of the walls and other elements is meticulously detailed to convey the grandeur and strength of the edifice. In 1 Kings 7:26, the thickness of the bronze sea is described: "It was a handbreadth thick, and its rim was fashioned like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It could hold two thousand baths."

Spiritual Conditions

Metaphorically, "thickness" can also refer to the spiritual condition of individuals or groups. The Bible often uses imagery of thickness or heaviness to describe a lack of spiritual perception or understanding. In Isaiah 6:10, the prophet is instructed to "Make the heart of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." Here, the thickness of the heart symbolizes spiritual insensitivity and resistance to God's message.

Divine Manifestations

The thickness of clouds or darkness is sometimes used to describe the presence of God, emphasizing His majesty and the awe-inspiring nature of His appearances. In Exodus 20:21, when Moses approached God on Mount Sinai, it is written, "So the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was." This "thick darkness" signifies the mystery and holiness of God, who is both immanent and transcendent.

Symbolism in Prophetic Literature

In prophetic literature, thickness can symbolize judgment or protection. Ezekiel 41:9 describes the thickness of the wall of the temple, which serves as a protective barrier: "The outer wall of the side rooms was five cubits thick, and the open area between the side rooms of the temple." This thickness represents the security and sanctity of God's dwelling place, offering a refuge for His people.

Conclusion

The concept of thickness in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol, illustrating the physical, spiritual, and divine aspects of God's interaction with the world. Whether describing the dimensions of sacred spaces, the condition of the human heart, or the manifestation of God's presence, thickness conveys a depth of meaning that underscores the complexity and richness of biblical theology.(n.) The quality or state of being thick (in any of the senses of the adjective).100. hadrotes -- thickness, abundance
... thickness, abundance. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hadrotes Phonetic
Spelling: (had-rot'-ace) Short Definition: lavishness Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/100.htm - 6k5672. abi -- thickness
abi or obi. 5671, 5672. abi or obi. 5673 . thickness. Transliteration: abi
or obi Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ee') Short Definition: thick. ... thickness. ...
/hebrew/5672.htm - 6k

4568. maabeh -- thickness, compactness
... 4567, 4568. maabeh. 4569 . thickness, compactness. Transliteration: maabeh
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-ab-eh') Short Definition: clay. ...
/hebrew/4568.htm - 6k

7341. rochab -- breadth, width
... Word Origin from rachab Definition breadth, width NASB Word Usage breadth (4), depth
(1), expanse (1), thick (1), thickness (3), wide (27), width (62). ...
/hebrew/7341.htm - 6k

Now as a New Thickness of Darkness, Hardness, or Substantiality...
... [Way-3-33] Now as a new thickness of darkness, hardness, or substantiality? Now
as a new thickness of darkness, hardness, or substantiality ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-33 now as a new.htm

Now this First Thickness, Darkness, or Substantiality, Brought ...
... [Way-3-31] Now this first thickness, darkness, or substantiality, brought
forth in the desire? Now this first thickness, darkness ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-31 now this first thickness.htm

The First Three Properties of Nature were Never to have Been Seen ...
... The first three properties of nature were never to have been seen or known, as they
are in themselves, by any creature; their thickness, strife, and darkness ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-32 the first three properties.htm

But if Life is to be Happy, Something Else must Come into Them...
... may be found; nor could light shine, unless there was something in nature thicker
than itself, to receive and reflect it: and therefore, thickness or darkness ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-30 but if life is.htm

Of the Building of this Temple
... The king also had a fine contrivance for an ascent to the upper room over the temple,
and that was by steps in the thickness of its wall; for it had no large ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 of the building.htm

Letter xvi. --To Amphilochius.
... And the thickness of the wall, an interval of three feet from inside these spaces,
which are measured internally, will run round the whole building. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter xvi to amphilochius.htm

Now from this Longing on Both Sides, Nature Wanting God...
... The thickness and darkness in the wood, and the candle, have fire kindled in them,
and light from that fire, in no other way, than as the fourth property is a ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-52 now from this longing.htm

Concerning the Tabernacle which Moses Built in the Wilderness for ...
... were also pillars made of wood, twenty on each side; they were wrought into a
quadrangular figure, in breadth a cubit and a half, but the thickness was four ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning the tabernacle.htm

The First Theban Empire
... All were constructed on the same plan, varied only by the sizes of the areas
enclosed, and the different thickness of the outer walls. ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... Its stuff was woven as stiff as haircloth. On the middle of the breast and back
was a triangular place of double thickness and as it were quilted. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm

Thickness (12 Occurrences)
... (n.) The quality or state of being thick (in any of the senses of the adjective).
Multi-Version Concordance Thickness (12 Occurrences). ...
/t/thickness.htm - 10k

Lily-blossoms (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:26 And its thickness was a hand-breadth, and its brim was like the work
of the brim of a cup, with lily-blossoms; it held two thousand baths. (DBY). ...
/l/lily-blossoms.htm - 7k

Line (131 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A linen thread or string; a slender, strong cord; also, a cord of any thickness;
a rope; a hawser; as, a fishing line; a line for snaring birds; a ...
/l/line.htm - 43k

Thin (39 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Having little thickness or extent from one surface to its opposite;
as, a thin plate of metal; thin paper; a thin board; a thin covering. ...
/t/thin.htm - 19k

Point (106 Occurrences)
... Geom.) That which has neither parts nor magnitude; that which has position, but
has neither length, breadth, nor thickness, -- sometimes conceived of as the ...
/p/point.htm - 40k

Body (562 Occurrences)
... 12. (n.) A figure that has length, breadth, and thickness; any solid figure.
13. (n.) Consistency; thickness; substance; strength ...
/b/body.htm - 59k

Bar (27 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A piece of wood, metal, or other material, long in proportion to its breadth
or thickness, used as a lever and for various other purposes, but ...
/b/bar.htm - 21k

Blossom (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:26 And its thickness was a hand-breadth, and its brim was like the work
of the brim of a cup, with lily-blossoms; it held two thousand baths. ...
/b/blossom.htm - 14k

Containeth (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:26 And its thickness 'is' an handbreadth, and its edge as the work of
the edge of a cup, flowers of lilies; two thousand baths it containeth. (YLT). ...
/c/containeth.htm - 7k

Lebanon (66 Occurrences)
... in thickness. ... Altogether this formation attains a thickness of 1,000 ft., and it
is on its exposed surfaces that the most of the Lebanon pines are found. ...
/l/lebanon.htm - 45k

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