Bible Dictionaries
Engrave

Holman Bible Dictionary

To impress deeply, to carve. Many materials were engraved including clay writing tablets (Isaiah 8:1 ), metal, precious gems, stone (Zechariah 3:9 ), and wood. Engraving was frequently done with an iron pen, a stylus, sometimes with a diamond point (Job 19:24; Jeremiah 17:1 ). Signet rings engraved with the sign or symbol of the owner were quite common throughout the ancient world (Genesis 38:18; Esther 3:12; Jeremiah 22:24 ). In fact, “like the engravings of a signet” ring or cylinder is a set phrase used to describe the various engraved gems of the high priest's vestments (Exodus 28:11 ,Exodus 28:11,28:21 ,Exodus 28:21,28:36; Exodus 39:6 ,Exodus 39:6,39:14 ). The Hebrew words translated engrave are used both for carving wood and working with precious stones in the construction of the tabernacle and Temple (Exodus 31:5; Exodus 35:33; 1Kings 6:18,1 Kings 6:35; 2 Chronicles 2:7 ). A graven image (Exodus 20:4 ) is a carved idol (as opposed to one cast in a mold).