Ebony is a dense, black hardwood, most commonly derived from trees in the genus Diospyros. Known for its rich, dark color and smooth finish, ebony has been highly valued throughout history for its beauty and durability. In biblical times, it was often used for crafting fine furniture, decorative items, and musical instruments.

Biblical References:

While the Bible does not explicitly mention "ebony" by name, it is likely referenced indirectly through descriptions of luxury and trade goods. The ancient world, particularly regions like Egypt and the Near East, was familiar with ebony, often importing it from distant lands such as India and Africa. This trade is alluded to in the Bible, where luxury items and exotic materials are mentioned in the context of wealth and opulence.

In Ezekiel 27, the prophet Ezekiel delivers a lamentation over the city of Tyre, a major trading hub known for its wealth and extensive trade networks. The passage lists various goods exchanged by Tyre, highlighting the city's prosperity and the diversity of its imports. While ebony is not specifically named, the context of luxury items and the mention of other exotic materials suggest its presence among the traded goods. Ezekiel 27:15 states, "The men of Dedan were your merchants; many coastlands were your captive markets; they paid you with ivory tusks and ebony."

Symbolism and Use:

In biblical symbolism, ebony, like other precious materials, often represents wealth, status, and the splendor of creation. Its deep black color and fine texture make it a symbol of elegance and sophistication. The use of ebony in crafting items for worship or royal use would have underscored the importance and reverence of such objects.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near East, ebony was a prized commodity, often associated with royalty and the elite. Its importation from distant lands underscores the interconnectedness of ancient trade routes and the high value placed on rare and beautiful materials. The use of ebony in furniture and decorative arts is well-documented in archaeological findings, revealing its role in the cultural and economic exchanges of the time.

Conclusion:

While not explicitly named in the Bible, ebony's presence in the ancient world and its association with luxury and trade provide a backdrop for understanding its potential role in biblical times. Its enduring appeal and symbolic richness continue to make it a material of interest in both historical and theological studies.Ebony

(Ezekiel 27:15) one of the valuable commodities imported into Tyre by the men of Dedan; a hard, heavy and durable wood, which admits of a fine polish or gloss. The most usual color is black, but it also occurs red or green. The black is the heart of a tree called Diospyros ebenum . It was imported from India or Ceylon by Phoenician traders.

Ebony

The wood of a tree of no great size, growing in India and Africa; it is black, hard, heavy, and fine-grained, and receives a beautiful polish. It was anciently highly prized, Ezekiel 27:15, and is still much used for musical instruments and fancy articles.

A black, hard wood, brought by the merchants from India to Tyre (Ezek. 27:15). It is the heart-wood, brought by Diospyros ebenus, which grows in Ceylon and Southern India. 1. (n.) A hard, heavy, and durable wood, which admits of a fine polish or gloss. The usual color is black, but it also occurs red or green.

2. (a.) Made of ebony, or resembling ebony; black; as, an ebony countenance.

EBONY

eb'-o-ni (hobhnim (pl. only), vocalization uncertain; compare Arabic abnus):

Mentioned (Ezekiel 27:15) along with ivory as merchandise of Tyre brought by the men of Dedan. This is the heavy, black, heart-wood of various species of Diospyros, natives of Southern India and Ceylon; the best kind is obtained from D. ebenum.

The sap-wood, being white and valueless, is cut away, but the trunks are sufficiently large to leave blocks of heart-wood 2 ft. in diameter and 10 or more ft. long. Ebony was used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, as well as the Phoenicians, for various purposes; it was frequently inlaid with ivory. In Europe it has been a favorite for cabinet-making down to recent times.

E. W. G. Masterman

1894. hobni -- ebony (a kind of wood)
... 1893, 1894. hobni. 1895 . ebony (a kind of wood). Transliteration: hobni
Phonetic Spelling: (ho'-ben) Short Definition: ebony. Word ...
/hebrew/1894.htm - 6k

When Turbo had Made this Statement, Archelaus was Intensely ...
... the quadrisole; [1539] he had also a party-coloured cloak, of a somewhat airy [1540]
appearance; in his hand he grasped a very sturdy staff of ebony-wood; [1541 ...
/.../12 when turbo had made.htm

Looking unto Jesus
... In the darkest night, looking to Christ will clear the ebony sky; when the darkness
seems thick, like that of Egypt, darkness that might be felt, like solid ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/looking unto jesus.htm

The Procession of Amen
... itself hoarse for him. Close behind him was a chariot of ebony drawn by
two plunging, coal-black horses. A robust Egyptian, who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter iv the procession of.htm

Those Days it was Near Twelve O'Clock by the Great Dial of History ...
... She had risen from a chair of ebony enriched by cunning Etruscan art"four mounted
knights charging across its heavy back in armor of wrought gold. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 2 those days it.htm

The Adventures of Saint James of Spain.
... As he stood gazing on her fortified walls, built of pure silver; on her towers of
jasper and ebony; on her glittering spires of gold and precious stones; on ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter six the adventures of.htm

While Vergilius, Going Slowly, was Thinking of These Things...
... and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a
row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 7 while vergilius going.htm

On Costly Vessels.
... of silver and gold, some for serving food, and others for other uses which I am
ashamed to name, of easily cleft cedar and thyine wood, and ebony, and tripods ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iii on costly vessels.htm

Before Egypt's Throne
... her. The litter was of glittering ebony, hung with purple, tasseled with
gold. At her right, was Unas; at her left, Nari. Behind ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxix before egypts throne.htm

Ezekiel's Discourse
... The men of Dedan were thy traffickers: many isles were the mart of thine hand:
they brought thee in exchange horns of ivory and ebony. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii ezekiels discourse.htm

The Jewish Girl
... Her hair was black as ebony, her eyes dark, and yet brilliant and full of light,
such as you see among the daughters of the East; and the expression in the ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the jewish girl.htm

Ebony (2 Occurrences)
... The usual color is black, but it also occurs red or green. 2. (a.) Made of ebony,
or resembling ebony; black; as, an ebony countenance. Int. ...EBONY. ...
/e/ebony.htm - 8k

Exploration
... describing the capture of Megiddo in the plain of Esdraelon with its vast stores
of "chariots wrought with gold," bronze armor, silver and ebony statues, ivory ...
/e/exploration.htm - 38k

Diana (5 Occurrences)
... At the centre, hidden by curtains, within a gorgeous shrine, stood the very ancient
image of the goddess, on wood or ebony reputed to have fallen from the sky. ...
/d/diana.htm - 15k

Ivory (13 Occurrences)
... language of Psalm 45:8 Songs 5:14; Songs 7:4. It is used for ornamentation of the
ships of the Tyrians (Ezekiel 27:6), who obtain it with ebony through the men ...
/i/ivory.htm - 17k

Upholstered (1 Occurrence)
... Upholstered (1 Occurrence). Song of Songs 3:10 He made its pillars of silver, its
base of gold, its seat of purple, the middle of it of ebony. (See NIV). ...
/u/upholstered.htm - 6k

Interior (5 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Song of Songs 3:10 He made its pillars of silver, its base of gold,
its seat of purple, the middle of it of ebony. (See NAS NIV). ...
/i/interior.htm - 8k

India (2 Occurrences)
... Among these may be noted "horns of ivory and ebony," "cassia and calamus," almug
(sandalwood), apes and peacocks. W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/i/india.htm - 9k

Fitted (13 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS). Song of Songs 3:10 He made its pillars of silver, its base of
gold, its seat of purple, the middle of it of ebony. (See NAS). ...
/f/fitted.htm - 9k

Fabric (8 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Song of Songs 3:10 He made its pillars of silver, its base of gold,
its seat of purple, the middle of it of ebony. (See NAS). ...
/f/fabric.htm - 9k

Traded (16 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:15 The men of Dedan were thy traffickers; many isles were the mart of
thy hand; they brought thee as tribute horns of ivory and ebony. (See RSV NIV). ...
/t/traded.htm - 11k

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