Pen
Summary
A pen in Scripture refers to various writing instruments including reed pens for papyrus, metal styluses for wax tablets, and iron graving tools for stone.
☩Types of Pens
The writing instruments of antiquity varied with the material being written upon. Reed pens (calamus) were used for writing on soft materials like papyrus and parchment, and are still used in the Middle East today. Metallic styluses were employed for wax tablets. For engraving on hard substances like stone, wood, or metal, an 'iron pen' or graver was used, sometimes with a diamond point for permanence.
☩Figurative Use
Scripture uses pen imagery powerfully: 'My tongue is the pen of a ready writer' indicates eloquent speech. 'The pen of the scribes is in vain' condemns false teaching. 'Written with a pen of iron and point of diamond' describes sin indelibly engraved on the heart.
Related Verses7 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Pen," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Pen," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).