Key

Frequently mentioned in Scripture. It is called in Hebrew maphteah, i.e., the opener (Judg. 3:25); and in the Greek New Testament kleis, from its use in shutting (Matt. 16:19; Luke 11:52; Rev. 1:18, etc.). Figures of ancient Egyptian keys are frequently found on the monuments, also of Assyrian locks and keys of wood, and of a large size (comp. Isa. 22:22). The word is used figuratively of power or authority or office (Isa. 22:22; Rev. 3:7; Rev. 1:8; comp. 9:1; 20:1; comp. also Matt. 16:19; 18:18). The “key of knowledge” (Luke 11:52; comp. Matt. 23:13) is the means of attaining the knowledge regarding the kingdom of God. The “power of the keys” is a phrase in general use to denote the extent of ecclesiastical authority.

The key of a native Oriental lock is a piece of wood, from seven inches to two feet in length, fitted with the wires or short nails, which, being inserted laterally into the hollow bolt which serves as a lock, raises other pins within the staple so as to allow the bolt to be drawn back. (Keys were sometimes of bronze or iron, and so large that one was as much as a man could carry. They are used in Scripture as a symbol of authority and power. Giving keys to a person signifies the intrusting of him with an important charge. (Matthew 16:19) In England in modern times certain officers of the government receive, at their induction into office, a golden key.—ED.)

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.

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.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place.

2. An instrument which is turned like a key in fastening or adjusting any mechanism; as, a watch key; a bed key, etc.

3. That part of an instrument or machine which serves as the means of operating it; as, a telegraph key; the keys of a pianoforte, or of a typewriter.

4. A position or condition which affords entrance, control, pr possession, etc.; as, the key of a line of defense; the key of a country; the key of a political situation. Hence, that which serves to unlock, open, discover, or solve something unknown or difficult; as, the key to a riddle; the key to a problem. Those who are accustomed to reason have got the true key of books. Locke. Who keeps the keys of all the creeds. Tennyson.

5. That part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make fast, or adjust to position.

6. A piece of wood used as a wedge.

7. The last board of a floor when laid down.

8. A keystone.

9. That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place.

10. A wedge to unite two or more pieces, or adjust their relative position; a cotter; a forelock. See Illusts. of Cotter, and Gib.

11. A bar, pin or wedge, to secure a crank, pulley, coupling, etc., upon a shaft, and prevent relative turning; sometimes holding by friction alone, but more frequently by its resistance to shearing, being usually embedded partly in the shaft and partly in the crank, pulley, etc.

12. An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara; -- called also key fruit.

13. A family of tones whose regular members are called diatonic tones, and named key tone (or tonic) or one (or eight), mediant or three, dominant or five, subdominant or four, submediant or six, supertonic or two, and subtonic or seven. Chromatic tones are temporary members of a key, under such names as " sharp four," "flat seven," etc. Scales and tunes of every variety are made from the tones of a key.

14. The fundamental tone of a movement to which its modulations are referred, and with which it generally begins and ends; keynote. Both warbling of one song, both in one key. Shak.

15. Fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance. You fall at once into a lower key. Cowper. Key bed. Same as Key seat. -- Key bolt, a bolt which has a mortise near the end, and is secured by a cotter or wedge instead of a nut. Key bugle. See Kent bugle. -- Key of a position or country. (Mil.) See Key, 4. -- Key seat (Mach.), a bed or groove to receive a key which prevents one part from turning on the other. -- Key way, a channel for a key, in the hole of a piece which is keyed to a shaft; an internal key seat; -- called also key seat. -- Key wrench (Mach.), an adjustable wrench in which the movable jaw is made fast by a key. -- Power of the keys (Eccl.), the authority claimed by the ministry in some Christian churches to administer the discipline of the church, and to grant or withhold its privileges; -- so called from the declaration of Christ, "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." Matt. xvi. 19.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges. Francis. To key up. (a) (Arch.) To raise (the whole ring of an arch) off its centering, by driving in the keystone forcibly. (b) (Mus.) To raise the pitch of. (c) Hence, fig., to produce nervous tension in.