Beam
Summary
A large piece of timber used in construction or weaving, famously contrasted with a 'mote' in Jesus' teaching on hypocrisy.
☩Construction Use
Beams were essential structural elements in ancient buildings, used for roofing, floors, and walls. Solomon's temple and palace were constructed with beams of cedar and fir. The prophet Habakkuk declared that the very beam from the timber would cry out against violence.
☩Weaver's Beam
The weaver's beam was a large wooden bar from which the warp threads hung. Goliath's spear shaft was compared to a weaver's beam, indicating its massive size.
☩Beam and Mote
Jesus used the contrast between a beam (dokos) and a mote (speck) to rebuke hypocritical judgment. The one with a beam in his own eye should not attempt to remove the tiny speck from his brother's eye—a proverb with parallels in Jewish and Arabic wisdom.
Related Verses26 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Beam," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Beam and Mote," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).