שֶׁנְהַבִּים (shen.hab.bim)
shen.hab.bim
ivory
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word shenhabbim refers to ivory, a material prized in the ancient Near East for its durability and beauty. It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within lists of Solomon’s vast commercial imports (1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 9:21). The term describes raw tusks or crafted goods made from elephant ivory, highlighting the extent of trade networks that reached distant lands.
Its occurrence in these specific passages underscores the wealth and international connections of Solomon’s reign. Rather than appearing in poetic or legal texts, shenhabbim serves as a concrete marker of economic power and access to exotic resources. The word itself likely derives from a root related to teeth, reflecting the material’s origin.
Translators consistently render shenhabbim as "ivory," capturing its straightforward meaning without ambiguity. The rarity of the term in Scripture makes each mention significant, anchoring abstract concepts of royal prosperity in tangible, valuable materials known throughout the ancient world.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Ivory was one of the most valuable materials in the ancient world, reserved for kings and temples because of its beauty and rarity. When Scripture mentions it, we are reminded that God provides resources on a grand scale, enabling His people to access goods from distant lands. This material symbolises not just wealth, but the reach of divine provision across borders.
In Solomon’s time, ivory arrived in ships from Tarshish, marking a period of peace and international trade. For us today, these details ground our faith in history. They show that God cares about the tangible world—materials, commerce, and daily life. We can trust that He is present in both the ordinary and the extraordinary aspects of our lives.
Reflecting on such passages invites gratitude for the resources we have and the connections we share with others. It encourages us to steward what we are given wisely, knowing that all good things come from a generous Creator who desires our well-being.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- ivori<es>2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שֶׁנְהַבִּ֥ים2×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 10:22
For the king had a fleet of ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet. Once every three years the fleet of Tarshish came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
This verse lists ivory alongside gold and silver, showing it was a primary commodity in Solomon’s international trade network.
-
II Chronicles 9:21
For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with Huram’s servants. Once every three years, the ships of Tarshish came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
The parallel account confirms that ivory was a regular import, highlighting the consistency of this wealth during his reign.