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IVORY (shçn, lit. ‘tooth’; and shenhabbîm, ‘elephants’ teeth’ [but reading doubtful], 1Ki_10:22, 2Ch_9:21).—Ivory has been valued from the earliest times. In Solomon’s day the Israelites imported it from Ophir (1Ki_10:22): it was used in the decorations of palaces (1Ki_22:39). The ‘tower of ivory’ (Son_7:4) may also have been a building decorated with ivory. Solomon had a throne of ivory (1Ki_10:18-20). ‘Beds of ivory,’ such as are mentioned in Amo_6:4, were, according to a cuneiform inscription, included in the tribute paid by Hezekiah to Sennacherib.
E. W. G. Masterman.