For the temple “David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings” (1 Chron. 22:3); but apparently gold nails were used for some parts of the interior (2 Chron. 3:9). The tent pegs were also called nails, though made most probably of hard wood, and perhaps pointed with iron. It was with a tent peg that Jael killed Sisera (Judg. 4:21-22). In houses in the East many articles are hung upon nails for safety, hence “a nail in a sure place,” denotes security and is figurative of the safety of anything that depends upon God (Isa. 22:23,25; Compare Eccl. 12:11; Zech. 10:4).
Nails pierced the hands and feet of the Savior when they crucified Him, the marks of which He showed to the disciples after His resurrection (John 20:20,25); and which marks He still retains (Zech. 13:6).