{
  "id": "dict_002810",
  "term": "Ivory",
  "slug": "ivory",
  "letter": "I",
  "entry_type": "material_object",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "Ivory is a costly material from tusks, used in Scripture as a marker of luxury, royal display, and trade. Its biblical significance is mainly cultural and illustrative, often highlighting wealth, beauty, or excess.",
  "simple_one_line": "A prized material from tusks, often associated in the Bible with royal luxury and opulence.",
  "tooltip_text": "Ivory in the Bible usually points to wealth, beauty, and luxury rather than a distinct doctrine.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "wealth",
    "luxury",
    "Solomon",
    "Tyre",
    "Babylon",
    "prophecy",
    "material culture"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Gold",
    "Precious Stones",
    "Solomon",
    "Amos",
    "Ezekiel",
    "Revelation",
    "Luxury"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Ivory is a valuable material mentioned in Scripture as part of royal furnishings, trade goods, and extravagant decoration. Biblical references to ivory usually serve to portray splendor, prosperity, or, in prophetic settings, the excess of the rich.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "Ivory is a luxurious material from animal tusks used in ancient furniture, decoration, and trade; in the Bible it often signals wealth and opulence.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "A luxury material in the ancient world",
    "Appears in royal and commercial settings",
    "Often associated with beauty, splendor, or excess",
    "Usually descriptive rather than doctrinal"
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Ivory in the Bible refers to a costly material, usually from tusks, that appears in descriptions of royal houses, decorated furnishings, and international trade. The term is primarily cultural and historical, though it can contribute to prophetic critiques of luxury and pride.",
  "description_academic_full": "Ivory is a precious material, usually derived from animal tusks, that appears in the Bible as a sign of wealth and refinement. Scripture mentions ivory in connection with Solomon’s throne and imported luxury goods, as well as in poetic and prophetic passages that describe beauty, comfort, or indulgence. These references are generally descriptive rather than doctrinal. In some settings ivory simply enhances the picture of royal splendor; in others it contributes to warnings against self-indulgence, material excess, or misplaced confidence in wealth. Because the term functions mainly as a cultural and historical detail, it should be treated as a biblical background entry rather than a theological concept in itself.",
  "background_biblical_context": "Ivory appears in biblical passages that portray kings, trade, and luxury. It helps readers picture the grandeur of Solomon’s court, the elegance of poetic imagery, and the wealth of commercial centers described by the prophets.",
  "background_historical_context": "In the ancient Near East, ivory was highly prized and often imported from regions where elephants or other large animals were available. It was used in furniture, inlaid decoration, and elite goods, making it a fitting symbol of wealth and status in the biblical world.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "Ancient readers would associate ivory with elite craftsmanship, courtly display, and imported luxury. In Israel and its neighbors, ivory was not ordinary material but a marker of status and abundance.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "1 Kings 10:18, 22",
    "Psalm 45:8",
    "Song of Songs 7:4",
    "Amos 3:15",
    "Amos 6:4",
    "Ezekiel 27:6, 15",
    "Revelation 18:12"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "1 Kings 22:39",
    "Psalm 92:12",
    "Proverbs 7:17",
    "Ezekiel 27:4"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "Hebrew uses a term related to “tooth” for ivory in several contexts, reflecting the material’s origin from tusks; Greek can also use terms meaning “ivory” or “ivory work.”",
  "theological_significance": "Ivory itself is not a doctrine, but biblical references to it support themes of stewardship, the transience of luxury, and the danger of prideful wealth. In prophetic texts, ivory may function as part of an indictment of self-indulgent societies.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "As a symbol, ivory represents how created goods can be used either to honor legitimate beauty and craftsmanship or to expose excess and vanity. Scripture treats material splendor as morally neutral in itself but morally significant in how it is acquired, displayed, and valued.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not overread ivory as a symbol with fixed theological meaning in every passage. Its significance is context-dependent: sometimes it is simply a luxury item, and sometimes it contributes to prophetic critique of wealth and complacency.",
  "major_views_note": "Most interpreters treat ivory as a background or literary detail rather than a distinct theological motif. Where it appears in prophetic denunciations, the emphasis is usually on luxury, pride, and injustice rather than on ivory itself.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "Ivory should not be used to build doctrine. It belongs to biblical material culture and literary imagery, not to core theological categories.",
  "practical_significance": "Ivory reminds readers that Scripture notices the beauty and splendor of material things, but also warns that luxury can become a vehicle for pride, self-indulgence, and neglect of God.",
  "meta_description": "Ivory in the Bible is a costly material associated with royal furnishings, trade, and luxury, often used to picture wealth or excess.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/ivory/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/ivory.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}