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Stone
The main varieties of stone found in the Middle East are limestone, sandstone, and the volcanically produced and very hard basalt. These provided for everyday construction needs. Precious and semiprecious stones were frequently imported from various supply points (e.g., turquoise from the Sinai Peninsula). Ore-bearing stone-carrying copper and iron were located in the Middle East’s southern reaches and the Transjordan. (2)
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Bronze
The Middle Bronze Age (2000–1500 BCE) saw the replacement of copper by bronze in the production of metal weapons, tools, jewelry, and vessels since bronze was harder than copper, which had been used earlier. Because of its qualities, bronze was used not only for weapons of war but also for decorations, since it could be burnished (i.e. rubbed until it was smooth, bright, and shiny) making it more attractive. (2)
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Silver
Silver (Heb. keseph), a pale, precious metal capable of being hammered or drawn out thin, was known to people in the Near East as early as 3000 BCE. (3) A comparatively scarce precious metal with brilliant white color and remarkably resistant to oxidation. It melts at 960.8° C (1,861° F) (4)
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Gold
Dense and lustrous, gold (chemical symbol: Au) is a precious metal categorized with the Group 11 (Ib) elements in the periodic table. (4)
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Barley
“Here is a boy who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what good are these for so many people?” (John 6:9 NET)
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Waving and Heaving
“Waving and heaving the offering apparently had several purposes.
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Salt
Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:50 NET)
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The Feasts of Israel – Sabbath
The Lord spoke to Moses: “Speak to the Israelites and tell them, ‘These are the Lord’s appointed times which you must proclaim as holy assemblies—my appointed times: “ (Leviticus 23:1 NET)
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Honey
What is sweeter than honey? (Judges 14:18 NET partial)
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Olive Oil
Part of the beauty of the Olive Tree consists in its greenness, it is always green; few trees that bear fruit are like the Olive in this respect. (5)