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Marble

Disambiguation

The source enumerates 4 distinct subjects under Marble. Jump to one below, or read in order.

  1. 1.Shesh, “pillars of marble.” But this word probably designates dark-blue limestone…
  2. 2.Dar, some regard as Parian marble.
  3. 3.Bahat, “red marble,” probably the verd-antique or half-porphyry of Egypt.
  4. 4.Sohareth, “black marble,” probably some spotted variety of marble.

As a mineral, consists of carbonate of lime, its texture varying from the highly crystalline to the compact. In Esther 1:6 there are four Hebrew words which are rendered marble:,

  1. Marble (1)

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    Shesh, “pillars of marble.” But this word probably designates dark-blue limestone rather than marble.

  2. Marble (2)

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    Dar, some regard as Parian marble. It is here rendered “white marble.” But nothing is certainly known of it.

  3. Marble (3)

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    Bahat, “red marble,” probably the verd-antique or half-porphyry of Egypt.

  4. Marble (4)

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    Sohareth, “black marble,” probably some spotted variety of marble. “The marble pillars and tesserae of various colours of the palace at Susa came doubtless from Persia itself, where marble of various colours is found, especially in the province of Hamadan Susiana.” The marble of Solomon’s architectural works may have been limestone from near Jerusalem, or from Lebanon, or possibly white marble from Arabia. Herod employed Parian marble in the temple, and marble columns still exist in great abundance at Jerusalem.

Also from Smith's (1884) +

The Hebrew shesh, the generic term for marble, may probably be taken to mean almost any shining stone. The so-called marble of Solomon’s architectural works may thus have been limestone. There can be no doubt that Herod both in the temple and elsewhere employed Parian or other marble. The marble pillars and tesserae of various colors of the palace at Susa came doubtless from Persia. (Esther 1:8)

In the Bible

4

Verses where Marble is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).

  • 1 Chronicles 29:2

    Now with all my ability I have made provision for the house of my God—gold for the gold articles, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron, and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and slabs of marble—all in abundance.

  • Esther 1:6

    Hangings of white and blue linen were fastened with cords of fine white and purple material to silver rings on the marble pillars. Gold and silver couches were arranged on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones.

  • Revelation 18:12

    cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble;

  • Song of Solomon 5:15

    His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, as majestic as the cedars.

Scripture on Marble

4

Marble references

9

See all 9 +

Voices on Marble

1

Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.

A Marble Pulpit in South Carolina: Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson7:05
Ligonier Ministries

A Marble Pulpit in South Carolina: Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson

Ligonier Ministries

Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)

Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.