Hebrew yathed, "piercing," a peg or nail of any material (Ezekiel 15:3), more especially a tent-peg (Exodus 27:19; 35:18; 38:20), with one of which Jael (which see) pierced the temples of Sisera (Judges 4:21,22). This word is also used metaphorically (Zechariah 10:4) for a prince or counsellor, just as "the battle-bow" represents a warrior.
Masmer, a "point," the usual word for a nail. The words of the wise are compared to "nails fastened by the masters of assemblies" (Ecclesiastes 12:11, A.V.). The Revised Version reads, "as nails well fastened are the words of the masters," etc. Others (as Plumptre) read, "as nails fastened are the masters of assemblies" (comp. Isaiah 22:23; Ezra 9:8). David prepared nails for the temple (1 Chronicles 22:3; 2 Chronicles 3:9). The nails by which our Lord was fixed to the cross are mentioned (John 20:25; Colossians 2:14).
Nail of the finger (Heb. tsipporen, "scraping"). To "pare the nails" is in Deuteronomy 21:12 (marg., "make," or "dress," or "suffer to grow") one of the signs of purification, separation from former heathenism (comp. Leviticus 14:8; Numbers 8:7). In Jeremiah 17:1 this word is rendered "point."
