Topical Encyclopedia
An ink-horn is a small container used in ancient times for holding ink, typically made from horn or a similar material. It is mentioned in the Bible in the context of a vision experienced by the prophet Ezekiel. The ink-horn is a symbol of authority and record-keeping, often associated with scribes and those tasked with documenting important information.
Biblical Reference:The primary biblical reference to an ink-horn is found in the book of Ezekiel. In
Ezekiel 9:2-3, the prophet describes a vision in which six men come from the direction of the upper gate, each with a weapon in hand. Among them is a man clothed in linen with a writing kit at his side:
"And I saw six men coming from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with a weapon of slaughter in his hand. And among them was a man clothed in linen, with a writing kit at his side. They went in and stood beside the bronze altar." (
Ezekiel 9:2-3)
The man clothed in linen, equipped with the ink-horn, is instructed by God to pass through the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things done in it (
Ezekiel 9:4). This act of marking signifies divine protection and separation from impending judgment.
Symbolism and Function:The ink-horn, as used in Ezekiel's vision, symbolizes the role of a scribe or recorder, someone who is entrusted with the task of documenting and marking individuals for a specific purpose. In the context of
Ezekiel 9, the ink-horn represents God's authority to distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, marking those who are to be spared from judgment.
In ancient times, scribes were essential for maintaining records, copying texts, and ensuring the transmission of important information. The presence of the ink-horn in the vision underscores the importance of written records in divine administration and judgment.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient Near East, writing was a highly valued skill, and scribes held significant positions in society. The ink-horn, as a tool of the scribe, was a common accessory, often carried by those who were literate and responsible for official documentation. The use of ink-horns would have been familiar to Ezekiel's audience, reinforcing the imagery of divine record-keeping and judgment.
The ink-horn's mention in Ezekiel's vision serves as a powerful reminder of God's omniscience and the meticulous nature of His judgments. It highlights the importance of being marked by God, not merely in a physical sense, but spiritually, as those who belong to Him and are set apart for His purposes.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
INK-HORNink'-horn (keceth equals keseth, BDB, 903): This term "inkhorn" occurs 3 times inEzekiel 9 (9:2, 3, 11), in the phrase "writer's inkhorn upon his loins" (or "by his side"). The word is more exactly "implement case," or "writing-case" (calamarium atramentarium, theca calamaria, theca libraria, graphiaria). This may have been the Egyptian palette (Budge, Mummy, 350-52) seen so often in the monuments of all periods, or the later form of pen-case with ink-well attached, which is a modified form adapted for ink carried in fluid form. The Egyptian palette was carried characteristically over the shoulder or under the arm, neither of which methods is strictly "upon the loins." The manner of carrying, therefore, was doubtless in the girdle, as in modern oriental usage (Benzinger, Hebrew Archaeol., 185). A good example of the pen-case and inkwell writing-case (given also in Garucci, Daremberg-Saglio, Gardthausen, etc.) is given from the original in Birt, Die Buchrolle in der Kunst, 220, and is reproduced (a) in this article, together with (b) an Egyptian palette. Whether the form of Ezekiel's case approached the palette or the ink-well type probably depends on the question of whether dry ink or fluid ink was used in Ezekiel's time (see INK). Compare Hieronymus at the place, and for literature, see WRITING, and especially Gardthausen, Greek Palestine, 1911, I, 193-94.
E. C. Richardson
Strong's Hebrew
7083. qeseth -- a pot (for ink),inkhorn... 7082, 7083. qeseth. 7084 . a pot (for ink),
inkhorn. Transliteration: qeseth
Phonetic Spelling: (keh'-seth) Short Definition: case.
...inkhorn.
...Library
A Sermon to Open Neglecters and Nominal Followers of Religion
... Though no man clothed in linen, with a writer'sinkhorn by his side, shall go through
the midst of you to set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh...
Concerted Prayer
... It would be well for prayerless Church leaders and careless pastors to read the
account of theink horn man in Ezekiel, 9th chapter, where God instructed the...
Wesley at Windsor Park
... in whole or in part. Even his firescreen, his lamps of various sorts,
hisinkhorn, his very save-all. I really believe, were he...
The Brethren in Poland, 1548-1570.
... But he was loosely guarded, and one day, disguised as a clerk, with a pen behind
his ear, and paper andink-horn in his hand, he walked out of the Tower in...
The Sealing of the Servants of God.
... Before the final destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, Ezekiel saw in vision
a man clothed in linen, with a writer'sink-horn by his side, who was...
To the Rev. A. Brandram
... They therefore determined to afford him an opportunity of informing his friends
of his situation, and accordingly sent him a pen andinkhorn, concealed in a...
Holy violence
... There also sat a man at a little distance from the door, at a table-side, with a
book and hisink-horn before him, to take the name of him that should enter...
Trials of the Christian
... There also sat a man at a little distance from the door, at a table-side, with a
book and hisink-horn before him, to take the name of him that should enter...
Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... There also sat a man at a little distance from the door, at a table-side, with a
book and hisinkhorn before him, to take the name of him that should enter...
A Treatise of the Fear of God;
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <....
Thesaurus
Inkhorn (4 Occurrences)...ink'-
horn (keceth equals keseth, BDB, 903): This term "
inkhorn" occurs 3 times in
Ezekiel 9 (9:2, 3, 11), in the phrase "writer's
inkhorn upon his loins" (or
...Ink-horn (3 Occurrences)
Ink-horn.Inkhorn,Ink-horn. Inkling . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
INK-HORN.... (DBY).Inkhorn,Ink-horn. Inkling . Reference Bible.
Kit (3 Occurrences)
... which lies toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand; and
one man in the midst of them clothed in linen, with a writer'sinkhorn by his...
Writer's (2 Occurrences)
... which lies toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand; and
one man in the midst of them clothed in linen, with a writer'sinkhorn by his...
Printed (2 Occurrences)
... The use of theinkhorn in setting the mark upon the forehead (Ezekiel 9:3, 4, 6)
certainly points to marking with color rather than branding. SeeINK-HORN....
Printing
... The use of theinkhorn in setting the mark upon the forehead (Ezekiel 9:3, 4, 6)
certainly points to marking with color rather than branding. SeeINK-HORN....
Scribe's (5 Occurrences)
... gate, that is facing the north, and each his slaughter-weapon in his hand, and one
man in their midst is clothed with linen, and a scribe'sinkhorn at his loins...
Print (3 Occurrences)
... The use of theinkhorn in setting the mark upon the forehead (Ezekiel 9:3, 4, 6)
certainly points to marking with color rather than branding. SeeINK-HORN....
Loins (72 Occurrences)
... gate, that is facing the north, and each his slaughter-weapon in his hand, and one
man in their midst is clothed with linen, and a scribe'sinkhorn at his loins...
Ink (4 Occurrences)
Resources
What is the little horn in the book of Daniel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the horn of salvation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the four beasts in Daniel chapter 7? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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