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What is a Key?
        KEY
        (Heb. the opener, Gr. the closer), an instrument, of wood or metal, for closing or opening a lock. Jud 3:25. They were sometimes so large as to be carried on the shoulder. Isa 22:22. When so borne a key proclaimed the bearer's importance and declared him to be an officer. Egyptian lion Key. (From Wilkinson.) The key is an emblem of office, as of a treasurer, Isa 22:22; of authority in the Church of Christ, Matt 16:19; an emblem of the means of gaining knowledge of divine truth, Luke 11:52; of Christ's authority over hell and death, Rev 1:18; Hos 9:1; Eze 20:1; and of kingship. Rev 3:7. Assyrian monuments show strong gates fastened by bars, and by locks opened by huge keys like those of modern Cairo. In ancient as in modern times the transfer of government was made by giving and taking a key. The rabbins represent God as holding the keys of various operations of nature.


Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'key' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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