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Bible Encyclopedias
Picture
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or the rendering in the A.V. in three passages of two Hebrew words which are from the same root (שָׂכָה, to look at).
1. Maskith, מִשְׂכַּית, an image; used alone, either literally (plur. "pictures," Proverbs 25:11) or in the sense of imagination ("conceit," Proverbs 18:11; plur. "wish," Psalms 73:7); with אֶבֶן, a stone ("image of stone," Leviticus 26:1; plur. " pictures," Numbers 33:52); with חֶדֶר, an apartment (plur. "chambers of imagery" [ q.v.], Ezekiel 8:12), "it denotes idolatrous representations, either independent images, or more usually stones 'portrayed,' i.e., sculptured in low relief, or engraved and colored (Ezekiel 23:14; Layard, Nin. and Bab. 2:306, 308). Movable pictures, in the modern sense, were doubtless unknown to the Jews; but colored sculptures and drawings on walls or on wood, as mummy-cases, must have been familiar to them in Egypt (see Wilkinson, Anc. Egyptians, 2:277). In later times we read of portraits (εἰκόνας ), perhaps busts or intagli, sent by Alexandra to Antony (Josephus, Ant. 15:2, 6). The 'pictures of silver' of Proverbs 25:11, were probably wall-surfaces or cornices with carvings, and the 'apples of gold' representations of fruit or foliage, like Solomon's flowers and pomegranates (1 Kings 6:7). The walls of Babvlon wlere ornamented with pictures on enamelled brick."
2. Sekiyah, שְׂכַיּה, the flag of a ship, as seen from afar (plur. "picture," Isaiah 2:16). The Phoenician and Egyptian vessels had their flags and sails of purple and other splendid colors (see Ezekiel 27:7; comp. Diod. Sic. 1, 51; Wilkinson, Anc. Egypt. 3:211). (See STANDARD).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Picture'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/p/picture.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
