H6247 H6247
plate, slab (smooth, shiny object; possibly ivory or metal inlay)
Song of Solomon 5:14 describes the beloved's body: 'His abdomen is a plate of ivory, encrusted with sapphires.' This rare noun denotes a plate or slab, possibly a smooth, shiny surface. The imagery is of polished ivory, perhaps inlaid with blue stones, evoking both beauty and luxury. The word may derive from a root meaning 'smooth' or 'shiny,' used elsewhere for refined metal. The metaphor compares the beloved's body to precious materials—ivory for its whiteness and smoothness, sapphires for brilliance. The Song's language is extravagant, piling up images of wealth and beauty to convey the lovers' admiration.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Song of Solomon 5:14 uses this noun in a metaphor: the beloved's body is 'a plate of ivory.' The term denotes a smooth, flat surface—perhaps a plaque, panel, or slab. The root may relate to smoothness or shininess, as ivory is polished to a lustrous finish. The image evokes luxury: ivory, a rare and costly material, adorned with sapphires. Some see this as describing the torso or belly, smooth and white like carved ivory. The Song's metaphors are sensuous and opulent, and this 'plate of ivory' contributes to the picture of the beloved as a work of art, precious beyond measure. 1×
AR["عِشِت"]·ben["হাতির-দাঁতের-কাজের"]·DE["[עשת]"]·EN["plate-of"]·FR["un-ouvrage"]·heb["עשת"]·HI["पट्टी"]·ID["gading"]·IT["plate-of"]·jav["plakat"]·KO["작품-이라"]·PT["obra-de"]·RU["изделие"]·ES["obra-de"]·SW["pembe"]·TR["levha"]·urd["مورتی"]
Related Senses
H3808 1. simple negation (not) (4839×)G1722 1. locative: in, within (2442×)H1004b 1. house, dwelling, building (2015×)G3756 1. not (negation particle) (1635×)H4480a 1. source or separation (1198×)H5892b 1. city, town (1093×)G1519 1. direction: into, to, toward (1061×)H3427 1. Qal: to dwell, inhabit (937×)G1537 1. from, out of (source/origin) (886×)H8034 1. Name (designation / identifier) (856×)G3361 1. subjective negation (not) (834×)G1909 1. on, upon (spatial surface) (757×)H0369 1. existential negation: there is not (738×)H5869a 1. in the eyes/sight of (evaluative) (734×)H5650 1. Servant, attendant, subject (723×)H0408 1. prohibitive negation do-not (712×)G2443 1. so that, in order that (purpose/result) (665×)G0575 1. from (649×)G1223 1. through, by means of (582×)H3541 1. thus, so, in this manner (569×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† עֶ֫שֶׁת n.[m.] plate (as smooth, shiny? NH id., lump or bar of metal);—cstr. ע׳ שֵׁן Ct 5:14 a plate of ivory (Löw in Buhl Lex Bu).