Concise Bible Dictionary:
A key made in Italy or Spain – 1770-1810
Used symbolically for authority to open or to shut. Spoken of Eliakim, “established by God,” as having the key of the house of David laid upon his shoulder: “he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open” (Isa. 22:22). He is a type of the Lord Jesus, as spoken of in Revelation 3:7, who has also the keys of hades and of death (Rev. 1:18). To Peter were given the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16:19), which he opened to the Jews in Acts 2, and to the Gentiles in Acts 10. The Lord charged the doctors of the law with taking away the key of knowledge (Luke 11:52). This they did by their traditions and by hindering those who would have entered in to the blessings brought by Christ.
“224. Keys” From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
Judges 3:25. Behold, he opened not the doors of the parlor: therefore they took a key, and opened them.
The key was usually of wood, though some have been found in Egypt of iron and bronze. The ordinary wooden key is from six inches to two feet in length, often having a handle of brass or silver, ornamented with filagree work. At the end there are wire pins, which are designed to loosen the fastenings of the lock. The key was anciently borne on the shoulder. See note on Isaiah 22:22 (#502).
“502. Keys, How Carried” From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
Isaiah 22:22. The key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
Oriental keys being usually large (see note on Judges 3:25, #224), it is often a matter of convenience to carry them on the shoulder. As the possession of a key may be taken as evidence of property or of trust, the key became an emblem of wealth or authority. Eastern merchants are often seen carrying keys on the shoulder. In the text, Shebna, the treasurer of Hezekiah, is warned that Eliakim shall carry “the keys of the house of David”; that is, that he should become treasurer in Shebna’s place. This is a figurative way of expressing what is said in the twenty-first verse: “I will commit thy government into his hand,” which expression is itself partly figurative, the hand being the emblem of power. The idea contained in both these passages is expressed in Isaiah 9:6, where it is said of the Messiah, “The government shall he upon his shoulder.” The word keys is used figuratively to denote authority in Matthew 16:19, where Christ says to Peter: “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
See also Revelation 1:18; 3:7; 9:1; 20:1.
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