Ebony
“Possibly 'stony' (stone-wood), from the wood's hardness; related to Greek ebenos and Arabic abnus”
Summary
A hard, heavy, black wood mentioned as a valuable commodity imported into Tyre from Dedan, prized in the ancient world for its durability and ability to take a fine polish.
☩Biblical Reference
Ebony appears only once in Scripture, in Ezekiel's description of Tyre's commerce. The prophet notes that the men of Dedan traded with Tyre, bringing ivory and ebony as merchandise. This pairing of ebony with ivory reflects the common ancient practice of inlaying the black wood with the white material to create decorative contrasts. The import of ebony from Dedan, a trading center connected to Arabia and the lands beyond, indicates the extensive reach of Phoenician commercial networks.
☩Nature and Origin
Ebony is the heavy, black heartwood of various species of the Diospyros tree, particularly Diospyros ebenum, native to southern India, Ceylon, and Ethiopia. The sapwood is white and valueless, but the heartwood can yield blocks up to two feet in diameter and ten or more feet long. The wood is extremely dense, durable, and capable of receiving a fine polish, making it prized for furniture, ornamental objects, and inlay work. The Hebrew word 'hobnim' closely resembles the Arabic 'abnus,' by which name ebony is still known in northern India today.
Related Verses1 mention
Ezekiel· 1 verse
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Ebony," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.George Morrish, "Ebony," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Ebony," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ebony," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).