בַּ֫הַט (ba.hat)
ba.hat
porphyry
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word baḥat refers to a valuable, polished stone, likely a form of red marble or porphyry. In the ancient Near East, such materials were prized for their durability and striking color, making them suitable for high-status architectural features. The term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, within the description of King Ahasuerus’s palace.
In Esther 1:6, baḥat is listed among other luxurious materials like gold, silver, and purple cloth that decorate the royal court. This single usage highlights the king’s immense wealth and power. The stone’s presence in the text serves as a concrete detail of imperial grandeur, illustrating the opulent setting where the book’s events unfold.
Because the exact mineral identification remains uncertain, translators often use "porphyry" or "red marble" to convey its expensive nature rather than its precise geological composition. The word itself does not carry theological weight but functions as a marker of status. Its brevity in Scripture underscores how specific material details can anchor a narrative in a tangible, historical reality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word baḥat describes a striking stone, likely porphyry or red marble, used in the lavish palace of King Ahasuerus. It appears only once in Scripture, serving as a detail of imperial wealth rather than a theological concept. This single mention reminds us that God’s story unfolds within real history, marked by tangible materials and human power structures.
While we do not find deep spiritual instructions in this stone, its presence invites reflection on the contrast between earthly grandeur and divine purpose. The opulent setting of Esther highlights how ordinary events, even those surrounded by luxury and political intrigue, are woven into God’s larger plan for preservation and deliverance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- porphyry1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בַּהַט\־1×
Key Verses
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Esther 1:6
There were hangings of white and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble.
This verse uses baḥat to describe the palace pavement, anchoring the narrative in a specific historical setting of royal opulence.