What is the spiritual significant of silver in the bible?

Answer 1

Pure words as in Psalm 12:6 "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." Or understanding as in Proverbs 3: 13,14 "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold." Silver is also linked with sacrifice in the Tabernacle. The ISBE [International Standard Bible Encylopedia] says that figuratively:-

Figurative:

Silver to be as stones in Jerusalem (1Ki 10:27) typified great abundance (compare Job 3:15; Job 22:25; Job 27:16; also Isa 60:17; Zech 9:3). The trying of men's hearts was compared to the refining of silver (Ps 66:10; Isa 48:10). Yahweh's words were as pure as silver refined seven times (Ps 12:6). The gaining of understanding is better than the gaining of silver (Pr 3:14; compare Prov 8:19; Prov 10:20; Prov 16:16; Prov 22:1; Prov 25:11). Silver become dross denoted deterioration (Isa 1:22; Jer 6:30). Breast and arms of silver was interpreted by Daniel to mean the inferior kingdom to follow Nebuchadnezzar's (Dan 2:32; Dan 2:39).

Answer 2

Silver is often used in Biblical text to define money as most money of the time was minted in either silver or gold coin. Silver in the Hebrew is Strong's word 3701 which is pronounced "keceph" its from word 3700 and it means in both cases (simply pale color, as the color of silver after it weathers), 3700 gives additional meanings, to pine after, also to fear , (have) desire, be greedy, long, sore.

In the Greek based New Testament, the word silver is Strong's word 694, pronounced "ar-goo-ree-on" it implies cash, especially a silvering (ie drachma or shekel) which is money, its from word 696 with is pronounced "at-goo-ros" which means silver (the metal in the articles of coin). The Periodic Table defines silver as Ag which is in the Latin argentum, which is close to the Greek word for silver.