H0923 H0923
costly stone (porphyry or alabaster)
A rare noun denoting a costly decorative stone, possibly porphyry, used in the Persian royal palace pavement described in Esther. The Egyptian loanword suggests a luxury building material known from Egyptian architecture. Listed among other precious stones (marble, etc.), it indicates the splendor of Ahasuerus's palace in Susa. The exact identification is uncertain, but the context clearly indicates a valuable, aesthetically impressive stone used in royal construction.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Refers to a costly decorative stone in the palace pavement described in Esther 1:6. The stone is listed alongside marble and other precious materials, emphasizing the opulence of the Persian court. Most likely porphyry (Spanish "pórfido"), an Egyptian import highly valued in ancient architecture. The Egyptian etymology (behiti/behat) supports identification with a stone known from Egyptian building traditions and trade. 1×
AR["بَلَّوْرٍ"]·ben["স্ফটিক"]·DE["[בהט]"]·EN["alabaster-and-"]·FR["[בהט]"]·heb["בהט"]·HI["संग-मरमर-के"]·ID["porfir"]·IT["porfido"]·jav["porfir-"]·KO["설화석과-"]·PT["pórfiro-"]·RU["порфира"]·ES["pórfido"]·SW["sakafu"]·TR["somaki-"]·urd["سنگ-سرخ"]
Related Senses
H4325 1. water, waters (582×)H6965b 1. Qal: to rise, arise, get up (432×)H2091 1. gold (the metal) (389×)H0068 1. stone, rock (material/object) (267×)H5178a 1. bronze/copper as metal (131×)H6083 1. dust, dry earth, soil (108×)H8313 1. burn, set fire to (94×)H2734 1. anger was kindled (82×)G5204 1. water (80×)H2822 1. darkness, absence of light (80×)G5457 1. light (illumination) (71×)G0450 1. rise, stand up (physical) (69×)H6965b 2. Qal: to stand firm, endure, be valid (50×)H6999a 2. burn sacrifice on altar (Hifil) (45×)H5553 1. rock, cliff (physical feature) (43×)H6965b 4. Hifil: to establish, confirm (covenant/kingdom/word) (40×)H1197a 1. burn, be on fire (39×)H4306 1. rain, showers (38×)H1653 1. rain, precipitation (34×)G4655 1. darkness (30×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† בַּ֫הַט n.[m.] a costly stone, perhaps porphyry (cf. Egyptian behiti, behet, behat Brugsch Dict. v. 438 Dümichen Gesch. 167 f. WendelAltäg. Bau- u. Edelsteine (1888) 77 f.; 𝔊 has σμαραγδίτης), Est 1:6 עַל רִֽצֲפַת ב׳־וָשֵׁשׁ וְדַר וְסֹחָ֑רֶת upon a pavement of porphyry and marble, etc.