Shamir in the bible

Term designating a hard stone in the Targums, but in the Bible thrice Jer. In the post-Biblical literature of both Jews and Christians shamir in the bible found many legends concerning the shamir, its quality of splitting the hardest substance being the property especially emphasized. The shamir was the seventh of the ten marvels created in the evening twilight of the first Friday Ab.

In the Pirke Aboth, 5 , 8, we read that "ten things were created on the eve of the Sabbath," among which was also the "Shamir. On 1Ki , "there was neither hammer nor axe, nor any tool of iron, heard in the house while it was in building," D. Kimchi writes thus; "By means of a worm called Shamir, when placed on a stone, it split. Although not larger than a barleycorn, the Shamir was so strong that by its touch mountains were removed from their places, and the hardest stones were easily split and shaped. By means of this worm Solomon prepared the stones for the building of the Temple. But who gave it to him?

Shamir in the bible

So, how were the builders able to cut the stones without any iron tools? The stones could, however, be cut elsewhere and brought to the Temple Mount. Having said that, Jewish tradition holds that the stones for the Temple were cut entirely without the use of iron implements. What, exactly, was the Shamir, and what might modern science reveal about this mysterious object? The earliest source to mention the Shamir is the prophet Isaiah. Again, it implies something organic, as opposed to the iron stylus it is juxtaposed with in the same verse. Here we learn the Shamir is a substance of incredible strength. Rashi comments on this verse that the Shamir is a worm that splits rocks, or perhaps a type of hard flintstone, or even a particularly strong alloy of iron. The final direct mention of Shamir in the Tanakh is in Zechariah , where the nation is said to have hardened their hearts like the Shamir. Next, we learn in the Mishnah that God created ten special, mystical things on the eve of the first Sabbath, at the very end of Creation Avot

Inscientists in the Philippines discovered a new species of shipworm, named Lithoredo abatanica. The bird went away and hanged himself for having violated the oath. But who gave it to him?

King Solomon is said to have used it in the building of the Solomon's Temple in place of cutting tools. For the building of the Temple in Jerusalem , which promoted peace, it was inappropriate to use tools that could also cause war and bloodshed. Referenced throughout the Talmud and midrashim , the Shamir was reputed to have existed in the time of Moses as one of the ten wonders created on the eve of the first Sabbath just before God finished creation. King Solomon, aware of the existence of the Shamir, but unaware of its location, commissioned a search that turned up a "grain of Shamir the size of a barley-corn". Solomon's artisans reputedly used the Shamir in the construction of the Temple. The material to be worked, whether stone, wood or metal, was affected by being "shown to the Shamir. Other early sources, however, describe it as a green stone.

In the Pirke Aboth, 5 , 8, we read that "ten things were created on the eve of the Sabbath," among which was also the "Shamir. On 1Ki , "there was neither hammer nor axe, nor any tool of iron, heard in the house while it was in building," D. Kimchi writes thus; "By means of a worm called Shamir, when placed on a stone, it split. Although not larger than a barleycorn, the Shamir was so strong that by its touch mountains were removed from their places, and the hardest stones were easily split and shaped. By means of this worm Solomon prepared the stones for the building of the Temple. But who gave it to him? An eagle brought it to him from the Paradise, as it is written, 'He spake of beasts and of fowl' 1Ki But what did he speak to the fowl?

Shamir in the bible

In the Talmud and other sacred Jewish texts there are many references to the Shamir—a magical object—possibly living and possessing mysterious powers. It could disintegrate anything with a glance. The rabbinical literature describes it as being used by Moses to carve part of the breastplate of the High Priest—the Urim and Thummim , used for divination. King Solomon was eager to possess the Shamir because he had heard about it from earlier days. After a tremendous search the Shamir was found in a distant country, in the depths of a well, and brought to Solomon. But strangely, it lost its abilities and became inactive several centuries later, about the time the Temple of Solomon was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.

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This being done, they said, We do not know it; perhaps Asmodeus, the king of the devils, will tell thee. Did the Shamir contain radioactive material in its body, or generate something laser-like? How could it be found? August 4, , page When the king heard this, he told the servants to give him little to eat. Friedmann, p. The final direct mention of Shamir in the Tanakh is in Zechariah , where the nation is said to have hardened their hearts like the Shamir. Jewish tradition unanimously declares it to be a small worm Rashi, Pes. Here is a worm that is actually able to eat through stone, and quite precisely, too. Next, we learn in the Mishnah that God created ten special, mystical things on the eve of the first Sabbath, at the very end of Creation Avot For the building of the Temple in Jerusalem , which promoted peace, it was inappropriate to use tools that could also cause war and bloodshed. According to another legend, the wood-grouse used a herb to burn or draw out a wooden nail Lev.

Shamer, prison; bush; lees; thorn Smith's Bible Dictionary Shamir n point or thorn.

For more on Judaism and comic books, see here. Kimchi writes thus; "By means of a worm called Shamir, when placed on a stone, it split. Zuckermandel, p. A Kohathite, son of Micah or Michal, the first-born of Uzziel. The other two writers, in the true spirit of medievalism, give a remarkable variant to the effect that the bird smeared the glass with the blood of the worm and so broke it. The Shamir Worm. He asked where the Shamir was. So, how were the builders able to cut the stones without any iron tools? One of the sons of Michah 1 Chronicles International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Shamir 1. A local chieftain in the early part of the last century fortified Sanur and from there dominated the whole district.