בַּהַט
𐤁𐤄𐤈
bahaṭ
H923 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of valuable and decorative stone, likely marble, sometimes distinguished by its glistening or polished appearance, typically appearing as part of luxury flooring or ornamentation. The word's precise identification varies between white, red, or otherwise variegated stone, based on context and ancient understanding, but is consistently associated with wealth and opulence in architectural settings.
Semantic Range
marble, alabaster, decorative or precious stone, glistening or polished stone used in luxury architecture
Root / Etymology
Root: uncertain. Possibly derived from a root meaning 'to shine, glisten,' though this root is not otherwise attested in Hebrew. The form בַּהַט (bahaṭ) is a noun referring to a type of precious stone, most commonly interpreted as marble but the specific variety (white, red, or other) is debated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
בַּהַט (bahaṭ) occurs only in Esther 1:6, describing the lavish flooring in the Persian royal palace as part of a list of ornamental stones. Its identification depends largely on later tradition and comparative etymology; some ancient versions (Targum, LXX) translated it as marble while others understood it as alabaster. English translations generally settle on 'marble' or 'alabaster,' but the biblical term may encompass any highly polished, lustrous, or variegated stone used for opulent display. Its singular, restricted usage highlights its exclusive association with luxury in a foreign (Persian) context—this is not a native Israelite term for stone, but a technical or loanword adopted to describe the grandeur of Persian architecture. The translations 'white marble' and 'red marble' both reflect attempts to specify an exact stone, but the Hebrew text is less precise.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root (probably meaning to glisten); white marble or perhaps alabaster; red (marble).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בהט (b-h-ṭ (uncertain)) — glistening, shining stone, precious decorative stone
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H923-01 |
בַּהַט | bahat | HNcmsa |
red-porphyry | glistening marble stone | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H923-01 |
Esther 1:6 | בַּהַט | bahat | HNcmsa |
red-porphyry | glistening marble stone |