1 The small horny plates covering the fingertips (Deut 21:12; Dan 4:33). 2 Devices for fastening construction materials together (1Chr 22:3). In construction history, early wooden pegs as fasteners were replaced by copper and bronze nails (ca. 3000 BCE), but the introduction of iron technology (ca. 1200 BCE) made much harder nails available and opened the possibility of multistoried buildings. Proverbial fastening strength was used metaphorically for wisdom (Eccl 12:11), permanence (Isa 41:7), or futile confidence (Jer 10:4). Crucifixion was carried out sometimes using nails to fasten the condemned to the posts. Although the synoptic Gospels do not mention nailing Jesus to the cross, such an understanding of Jesus’s crucifixion underlies the request of “doubting Thomas” (John 20:25) when he was informed that Jesus had risen from the dead.
