THE GOLD OF THAT LAND: Biblical Minerals & Rocks  

38.     ivory

Hebrew:

    1. shên, tooth. 1 Kings 10:18, 22:39; 2 Chronicles 9:17; Psalm 45:8; Song of Songs 5:14, 7:4; Ezekiel 27:6 & 15; Amos 3:15, 6:4;

    2. shenhabbîym, elephant tooth. 1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 9:21.

Greek: elephantinos, elephant ivory. Revelation 18:12.

Historical Background:

    People have made jewelry and ornamental objects from elephant, mammoth, hippopotamus, walrus, sperm whale, and narwhal ivory since prehistoric times. African doum palms and Peruvian ivory palms bear tough, white nuts that pass for "vegetable ivory."

    Solomon imported elephant tusks to inlay his throne with ivory.

    While ivory is not a mineral, Biblical writers grouped ivory with silks, spices, imported hardwoods, and precious stones and metals in the category of luxury goods that marked civic and moral decay.

Sources:

Canby, op. cit.; 1678-1679.

Schumann, op. cit.; 226-227.