Glass
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Glass in the Bible?
Glass production originated in the ancient Near East, with archaeological evidence from Egypt and Mesopotamia dating to the third millennium BCE. Early glassware was often opaque or semi-translucent with greenish or purplish hues due to iron impurities in the sand, evolving over centuries into clearer, more refined vessels used for storage and decoration.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the history and craftsmanship of glass illuminates the economic trade networks and technological advancements of the biblical world, providing context for references to glass vessels, mirrors, and the metaphorical use of glass in describing clarity and fragility within scriptural texts.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Glass in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Glass clarify?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.