Topical Bible: Commerce: Articles of Ivory

◄ Commerce: Articles of Ivory ►

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In biblical times, ivory was a highly prized material, often associated with wealth, luxury, and opulence. The use of ivory in commerce is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, highlighting its significance in ancient trade and its symbolic representation of affluence.

Biblical References

One of the most notable references to ivory in the Bible is found in the book of 1 Kings, where it describes King Solomon's throne: "The king also made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold" (1 Kings 10:18). This passage illustrates the grandeur and splendor of Solomon's reign, with ivory being a key component in the construction of his majestic throne, signifying both his wealth and the prosperity of his kingdom.

The prophet Ezekiel also mentions ivory in the context of trade and commerce. In Ezekiel 27, the city of Tyre is depicted as a bustling hub of international trade, dealing in various luxury goods, including ivory: "They exchanged your wares for turquoise, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and rubies. Judah and the land of Israel traded with you; they exchanged wheat from Minnith, cakes of honey, oil, and balm for your merchandise. Damascus was your customer because of your many products and great wealth of goods, with wine from Helbon, wool from Zahar, and casks of wine from Izal. Wrought iron, cassia, and calamus were exchanged for your merchandise. Dedan was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding. Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your customers, trading in lambs, rams, and goats. The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; they exchanged for your wares the finest of all kinds of spices and all kinds of precious stones and gold. Haran, Canneh, and Eden, and the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad traded with you. In your marketplace they traded with you beautiful garments, blue and embroidered work, and multicolored carpets, bound with cords and tightly knotted. The ships of Tarshish carried your merchandise. You were filled with heavy cargo in the heart of the sea" (Ezekiel 27:16-25). This passage underscores the extensive trade networks of the ancient world, with ivory being one of the many luxury items exchanged among nations.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

Ivory, derived primarily from elephant tusks, was not only valued for its beauty and rarity but also for its durability and versatility. It was used to craft a variety of items, including furniture, decorative objects, and personal adornments. The use of ivory in the construction of Solomon's throne and its mention in the trade of Tyre reflect its status as a symbol of wealth and power.

In the ancient Near East, ivory was often associated with royalty and the divine. Its lustrous appearance and smooth texture made it an ideal material for creating objects of art and worship. The biblical references to ivory highlight its role in the cultural and economic life of the time, serving as a testament to the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations through trade.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

From a biblical perspective, the use of ivory in commerce can also be seen as a reflection of human ingenuity and the ability to harness natural resources for the creation of beautiful and functional objects. However, it also serves as a reminder of the potential for excess and the moral responsibilities that come with wealth. The Bible often warns against the dangers of materialism and the pursuit of luxury at the expense of spiritual values. In this context, the trade in ivory can be viewed as a metaphor for the broader human tendency to prioritize earthly riches over eternal truths.

Overall, the biblical portrayal of ivory in commerce provides insight into the economic practices of the ancient world, while also offering timeless lessons on the proper use of wealth and the importance of maintaining a balance between material prosperity and spiritual integrity.

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1 Kings 10:22
For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
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2 Chronicles 9:21
For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
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Ezekiel 27:15
The men of Dedan were your merchants; many isles were the merchandise of your hand: they brought you for a present horns of ivory and ebony.
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Revelation 18:12
The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
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Library

The Destruction of Babylon.
... wood, and all kinds of vessels of ivory, and all ... And these articles of traffic are
symbolized by the ... The commerce of this ecclesiastical city, has been immense ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the destruction of babylon.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... Royalty"The constitution of the family and its property"Chaldaean commerce and industry ...
the linen and wearing apparel, low beds inlaid with ivory and metal ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The First Theban Empire
... merely that he collected from them skins, ivory, ostrich feathers"everything, in
fact, which Central Africa has furnished as articles of commerce from time ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

Disestablishment
... the embargo lifted, New England commerce revived, and ... When all articles had been
approved, the constitution ... USD]25,100; shell, horn, and ivory in manufactured ...
/.../chapter xv disestablishment.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Gaza enjoyed among them a kind of hegemony, alike on account of its strategic position
and its favourable situation for commerce, but this supremacy was of ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
Commentary on Revelation. <. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

The Memphite Empire
... The few hundreds of men of which the permanent population was composed,
provided for the daily exigencies of industry and commerce. ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... The bracelets were made of elephant ivory, mother-of-pearl, or even flint,
very cleverly perforated. The necklaces were composed ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... Hiram; Egyptian designs in Phoenician glass and goldsmiths'work"Commerce with Egypt ...
the minor arts, such as goldsmiths'work, sculpture in ivory, engraving on ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... at least, domestic arrangements were modelled upon the fashions observed in the
palaces of the nobles of Car-chemish or Assur: the same articles of toilet, the ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm