923. bahat

Lexicon

bahat: Marble

Original Word: בּהט
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: behat
Pronunciation: bah-hat'
Phonetic Spelling: (bah'-hat)
Definition: Marble
Meaning: white marble, alabaster

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

red marble

From an unused root (probably meaning to glisten); white marble or perhaps alabaster -- red (marble).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
perhaps porphyry
NASB Translation
porphyry (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

בַּ֫הַט noun [masculine] a costly stone, perhaps porphyry (compare Egyptian behiti, behet, behat Brugsch^{Dict. v. 438} Dümichen^{Geschichte 167 f.} Wendel^{Altäg. Bau- u. Edelsteine (1888) 77 f.}; ᵐ5 has σμαραγδίτης), Esther 1:6 עַל וָֿשֵׁשׁ וְדַר וְסֹחָ֑רֶת׳ִ˜רצֲפַת ב upon a pavement of porphyry and marble, etc.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: The word בּהט is of foreign origin, indicating that it may have been borrowed from another language or culture, possibly due to trade or cultural exchange.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • The corresponding Greek entry for materials similar to בּהט is Strong's Greek Number G4665, which is μαρμαρος (marmaros), meaning "marble." This Greek term is used to describe similar luxurious and durable materials in the New Testament context, reflecting the continuity of cultural appreciation for such stones across different eras and regions.

Usage: The word בּהט appears in the context of describing luxurious materials used in the construction of significant buildings or objects. It is mentioned in the Bible in relation to the opulence of King Ahasuerus's palace.

Context: • בּהט (bahat) is mentioned in the book of Esther, specifically in Esther 1:6, where it describes the lavish decorations of King Ahasuerus's palace. The verse highlights the use of white and blue linen, cords of fine linen and purple, silver rings, and marble columns. The use of בּהט in this context underscores the wealth and splendor of the Persian Empire, as marble and alabaster were materials associated with grandeur and luxury.
• The use of בּהט in ancient architecture and decoration reflects the cultural and economic exchanges between different regions, as these materials were often imported from distant lands. The presence of such materials in the Persian court indicates the empire's extensive trade networks and its ability to acquire and display wealth.
• In biblical times, marble and alabaster were not only used for their aesthetic appeal but also for their symbolic representation of purity and permanence. These stones were often employed in the construction of temples, palaces, and other significant structures, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of the builders.

Forms and Transliterations

בַּהַט־ בהט־ ba·haṭ- bahat bahaṭ-

Englishman's Concordance

Esther 1:6
HEB: עַ֛ל רִֽצְפַ֥ת בַּהַט־ וָשֵׁ֖שׁ וְדַ֥ר
NAS: on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble,
KJV: upon a pavement of red, and blue,
INT: on A mosaic of porphyry marble mother-of-pearl

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 923
1 Occurrence

ba·haṭ- — 1 Occ.