Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]

Mining
Jump to: ISBEWebster'sThesaurusLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Mining, the process of extracting valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, is an ancient practice referenced in the Bible. The Scriptures provide insights into the significance of mining in biblical times, highlighting its role in the economy, craftsmanship, and symbolism.

Biblical References to Mining

1. Job 28:1-11: The book of Job offers a vivid description of mining activities, illustrating the effort and skill involved in extracting precious resources. Job 28:1-2 states, "Surely there is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore." This passage underscores the value placed on metals and the human ingenuity required to obtain them.

2. Deuteronomy 8:9: The Promised Land is described as a place rich in natural resources, including minerals. Deuteronomy 8:9 mentions, "a land where you will eat food without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you can mine copper." This highlights the abundance and providence of God in providing for His people.

3. 1 Kings 10:22: King Solomon's wealth and trade are partially attributed to mining and the acquisition of precious metals. The verse notes, "For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years, the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks." This indicates the extensive trade networks and the importance of mined resources in Solomon's reign.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

Mining in the Bible often serves as a metaphor for the pursuit of wisdom and understanding. Just as miners search deep within the earth for valuable ores, believers are encouraged to seek divine wisdom with diligence and perseverance.

· Proverbs 2:4-5: "If you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God." This passage likens the quest for wisdom to mining, emphasizing the effort required to attain spiritual insight.

· Job 28:12-28: Following the description of mining, Job reflects on the elusive nature of wisdom, stating that it cannot be found in the land of the living and is more valuable than gold or precious stones. This underscores the belief that true wisdom comes from God alone.

Economic and Cultural Impact

Mining was a significant economic activity in biblical times, contributing to the wealth and development of societies. The extraction and trade of metals like gold, silver, iron, and copper were crucial for crafting tools, weapons, and ornaments. These materials were not only practical but also held cultural and religious significance, often used in the construction of sacred objects and places, such as the Tabernacle and the Temple.

Conclusion

Mining in the Bible is portrayed as a vital industry that required skill and perseverance. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the pursuit of wisdom and understanding, reminding believers of the value of seeking God's truth with the same dedication as miners searching for precious metals.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Mine.

2. (n.) The act or business of making mines or of working them.

3. (a.) of or pertaining to mines; as, mining engineer; mining machinery; a mining region.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MINE; MINING

min, min'-ing: In Job 28:1-11 we have the only Biblical reference to mines. The writer very likely derived his information either from personal observation or from a description by an eyewitness, of the mining operations of Sinai (see METALS). No traces of ancient mines have yet been found in Palestine and Syria. What metals were taken out came from the superficial strata. The mines of Upper Egypt have already been mentioned. Burton and other travelers in Northern Arabia and the Red Sea country have found there evidences of ancient mining operations.

The usual Egyptian method of mining was to follow the vein from the surface as far as it was practicable with tools corresponding to our pick and hoe, hammer and chisel. The shafts frequently extended into the ground a distance of 180 to 200 ft. The rock when too hard to be dug out was first cracked by having fires built on it. The metal-bearing stone was carried in baskets to the surface, where the crushing and separating took place. The mining operations were performed by an army of slaves who were kept at their work day and night, driven with the lash until they died, when their places were taken by others.

See METALS; CRAFTS, II, 10.

James A. Patch

Library

Tapestry Threads.
... It's all a matter of mining. Skilful mining gets out the gold. This wondrous Lover
used the magnetic-current method of mining, the love-current. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/tapestry threads.htm

Choked Channels.
... Perhaps it was a month or so later, in one of the mining towns down in the zinc
belt of southwestern Missouri, I was to speak to a meeting of men. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/choked channels.htm

Volume ii. , Part B. The Memphite Empire
... inhabitants, their incursions into Egypt, and their relations with the
Egyptians"The peninsula of Sinai: the turquoise and copper mines, the mining works ...
/.../volume ii part b the.htm

Volume ii. , Part C. The First Theban Empire
... successors"The relations of Egypt with Asia: the Amu in Egypt and the Egyptians
among the Bedouin; the Adventures of Sinuhit"The mining settlements in the ...
/.../volume ii part c the.htm

The Long, Rough Road He Trod
... But neither bullets nor mining have affected the Book itself. The only harm has
been in the kick-back of the firing, upon those standing close by. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/the long rough road he.htm

Preface
... So many veins of gold in this mine, showing clearly large nuggets of pure ore,
lie just at hand untouched in this little mining venture. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/preface.htm

The Believer's Challenge
... I repeat it again, any one of them is all-sufficient. It reminds me of what
I have sometimes heard of the ropes that are used in mining. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the believers challenge.htm

The Traitor Prince.
... Association. It was in a certain mining town in the southwest, which is
as full of evil resorts as such places usually are. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/the traitor prince.htm

The Husbandman and his Operations
... that agriculture is taught by God. He would have said the same of cotton-
spinning or coal-mining. Think how striking a figure that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the husbandman and his operations.htm

The Meaning of the Name Stromata or Miscellanies.
... "For those who seek for gold," says Heraclitus, "dig much earth and find little
gold." But those who are of the truly golden race, in mining for what is allied ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter ii the meaning of the.htm

Thesaurus
Mining
... 3. (a.) of or pertaining to mines; as, mining engineer; mining machinery; a
mining region. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MINE; MINING. ...
/m/mining.htm - 8k

Mine (2991 Occurrences)
... The process of mining is described in Job 28:1-11. ... 4. (vi) To form subterraneous
tunnel or hole; to form a burrow or lodge in the earth; as, the mining cony. ...
/m/mine.htm - 10k

Crafts (2 Occurrences)
... Metal-Working (Mining) 11. Oil-Making 12. ... 10. Metal-Working (Mining): Among the oldest
objects that have been preserved are those of silver, gold and bronze. ...
/c/crafts.htm - 30k

Job (60 Occurrences)
... This view also agrees better than any other with its references to natural objects,
the art of mining, and other matters.". Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/j/job.htm - 62k

Gad (78 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The point of a spear, or an arrowhead. 2. (n.) A pointed or wedge-shaped
instrument of metal, as a steel wedge used in mining, etc. ...
/g/gad.htm - 49k

Well (2882 Occurrences)
... called the cockpit. 9. (n.) A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining,
from which run branches or galleries. 10. (n.) An opening ...
/w/well.htm - 39k

Dirt (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Meanness; sordidness. 3. (n.) In placer mining, earth, gravel, etc.,
before washing. 4. (vt) To make foul of filthy; to dirty. ...
/d/dirt.htm - 9k

Miniature (1 Occurrence)

/m/miniature.htm - 7k

Metals (1 Occurrence)
... Egyptian kings (Sneferu, Amenemhat II, and others) not only mined the metals, but
cut on the walls of the mines inscriptions describing their methods of mining...
/m/metals.htm - 10k

Metal (69 Occurrences)

/m/metal.htm - 30k

Resources
Should Christians recycle? How should a Christian view recycling? | GotQuestions.org

Will bitcoin / cryptocurrency be the one-world currency of the end times? | GotQuestions.org

Why should we read the Bible / study the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Mining: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Miniature
Top of Page
Top of Page