lock Summary and Overview

The Hebrews usually secured their doors by bars of wood or iron (Isa. 45:2; 1 Kings 4:3). These were the locks originally used, and were opened and shut by large keys applied through an opening in the outside (Judg. 3:24). (See KEY T0002181.) Lock of hair (Judg. 16:13, 19; Ezek. 8:3; Num. 6:5, etc.).

Where European locks have not been introduced, the locks of eastern houses are usually of wood, and consist of a partly hollow bolt from fourteen inches to two feet long for external doors or gates, or from seven to nine inches for interior doors. The bold passes through a groove in a piece attached to the door into a socket in the door-post.

LOCK . The doors of the ancient Hebrews were secured by bars of wood or iron, though the latter were almost entirely appropriated to the entrance of fortresses, prisons, and towns. Thus we find it mentioned in 1 Kgs 4:13, as something remarkable concerning Bashan that there were threescore great cities having walls and brazen bars. These were almost the only locks known in early times, and they were furnished with a large and clumsy key, which was applied to the bar by pushing the whole arm through an orifice from the outside Cant. Song 5:4. There were also smaller contrivances for inner doors, Jud 3:24, and probably projecting pieces by which to push the bolt with the hand. See Key.

(See KEY ). Usually a hollow wooden bolt passing through a groove into the socket in the doorpost. In the groove are small sliding pins which drop into holes in the bolt, so securing it. The key with its pins raises the sliding pins of the lock so that the bolt can be drawn back (Judges 3:23,25; Song 5:5; Nehemiah 3:3).