nail

Meaning: for fastening

1. Hebrew: yathed, “piercing,” a peg or nail of any material (Ezek. 15:3), more especially a tent-peg (Exodus 27:19; 35:18; 38:20), with one of which Jael pierced the temples of Sisera (Judg. 4:21-22)

   This word is also used metaphorically (Zech. 10:4) for a prince or counsellor, just as “the battle-bow” represents a warrior.

2. Masmer, a “point,” the usual word for a nail

   The words of the wise are compared to “nails fastened by the masters of assemblies” (Eccl. 12:11, King James Version). The Revised King James Version reads, “as nails well fastened are the words of the masters,” etc. Others (as Plumptre) read, “as nails fastened are the masters of assemblies” (compare Isa. 22:23; Ezra 9:8).

   David prepared nails for the temple (1 Chr. 22:3; 2 Chr. 3:9).

   CRUCIFIXION—The nails by which our Lord was fixed to the cross are mentioned (John 20:25; Col. 2:14).

3. Nail of the finger (Hebrew: tsipporen, “scraping”)

   To “pare the nails” is in Deuteronomy 21:12 (marginal note, “make,” or “dress,” or “suffer to grow”) one of the signs of purification, separation from former heathenism (compare Lev. 14:8; Num. 8:7).

   In Jer. 17:1 this word is rendered “point.”