שֶׁנְהַבִּים
𐤔𐤍𐤄𐤁𐤉𐤌
shenhabbîym
H8143 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A noun denoting 'ivory,' specifically the material derived from the tusks of large mammals, most notably the elephant. In biblical usage, it refers to the smooth, white, precious substance prized for its rarity, beauty, and use in luxury objects and ornamentation. The term commonly implies worked or carved items, such as thrones, inlays, and décor, not merely raw ivory.
Semantic Range
ivory (worked or decorative), ivory tusks, luxury items made from ivory, poetic or elite luxury goods
Root / Etymology
The word appears to be a compound: שֵׁן (shen, 'tooth') plus a plural form likely of foreign origin, possibly related to Egyptian or Akkadian terms for ivory (e.g. Egyptian 'ab' or Akkadian 'ebbu'). The root of שֵׁן is 'tooth,' but in this collocation, it functions as an idiom for 'elephant tooth,' i.e., ivory. The true derivation of the second element is uncertain, pointing to contact with international trade vocabulary of the ancient Near East.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שֶׁנְהַבִּים is a term for ivory that appears in poetic and luxury contexts, especially in descriptions of wealth and splendor in the monarchic period (e.g., the 'ivory house' of Ahab, 1 Kings 22:39; ivory in trade lists, Ezekiel 27:15). The form is rare and reflects international trade in luxury goods, as ivory was imported from afar (likely Africa or India). While the Hebrew root שֵׁן means 'tooth,' the full term שֶׁנְהַבִּים is not generic, but specifically references worked ivory and not animal teeth in general. In ancient translations, the term is consistently rendered 'ivory,' but English Bibles may obscure the original sense of exotic and elite luxury. The parallel use of בְּהַבִּים (behabbîym) and the singular שֶׁנְהַב (shenhab) is absent from Hebrew, reflecting the borrowing of the whole phrase as a lexicalized noun. No direct connection to the English term 'Jew' or its cognates. The word is largely restricted to the First Temple period and poetic literature, and is mainly absent in later Hebrew (i.e. post-exilic writings), suggesting the term fell out of common use as international ivory trade patterns changed. Comparable terms in surrounding languages (Egyptian, Akkadian) also highlight ivory's role as a luxury import in elite culture.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שֵׁן and the plural apparently of a foreign word; probably, tooth of elephants, i.e. ivory tusk; ivory.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שן (š-n) — tooth, tusk
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8143-01 |
שֶׁנְהַבִּ֥ים | shenehabim | HNcmpa |
ivory | ivory tusks | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8143-01 |
1 Kings 10:22 | שֶׁנְהַבִּ֥ים | shenehabim | HNcmpa |
ivory | ivory tusks |
H8143-01 |
2 Chronicles 9:21 | שֶׁנְהַבִּ֥ים | shenehabim | HNcmpa |
ivory | ivory tusks |