The elephant, a large and powerful land animal, is not directly mentioned in the canonical books of the Bible. However, its presence and significance in the ancient Near East and surrounding regions provide valuable context for understanding the biblical world. The elephant's attributes and uses in ancient times can be inferred from historical and archaeological sources, as well as from biblical texts that reference related animals and materials.

Historical Context and Symbolism

Elephants were well-known in the ancient world, particularly in regions such as India and Africa. They were prized for their size, strength, and intelligence. In the context of the Bible, elephants are most notably associated with the production of ivory, a highly valued material in ancient times. Ivory, derived from elephant tusks, was used for decorative purposes, luxury items, and trade.

Ivory in the Bible

The Bible makes several references to ivory, highlighting its significance as a symbol of wealth and opulence. For instance, King Solomon's throne is described as being made of ivory and overlaid with gold (1 Kings 10:18). Additionally, the prophet Amos condemns the excesses of the wealthy, who recline on beds of ivory (Amos 6:4). These references underscore the luxurious nature of ivory and its association with affluence and power.

Cultural and Military Uses

In the intertestamental period, particularly during the Hellenistic era, elephants were used in warfare. The Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires, which controlled parts of the biblical lands, employed war elephants in their armies. This is reflected in the apocryphal books of the Maccabees, where elephants are described as part of the military forces arrayed against the Jewish people (1 Maccabees 6:34).

Symbolic Interpretations

While elephants themselves are not mentioned in the biblical text, their attributes can be symbolically associated with themes of strength, majesty, and the grandeur of God's creation. The sheer size and power of the elephant can serve as a reminder of the might and sovereignty of God, who created all creatures with purpose and design.

Conclusion

The elephant, though not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, plays a significant role in the cultural and historical backdrop of the biblical narrative. Its association with ivory, wealth, and military might provides insight into the values and practices of ancient societies. Through these connections, the elephant contributes to a deeper understanding of the biblical world and its enduring themes.Not found in Scripture except indirectly in the original Greek word (elephantinos) translated "of ivory" in Revelation 18:12, and in the Hebrew word (shenhabim, meaning "elephant's tooth") rendered "ivory" in 1 Kings 10:22 and 2 Chronicles 9:21. 1. (n.) A mammal of the order Proboscidia, of which two living species, Elephas Indicus and E. Africanus, and several fossil species, are known. They have a proboscis or trunk, and two large ivory tusks proceeding from the extremity of the upper jaw, and curving upwards. The molar teeth are large and have transverse folds. Elephants are the largest land animals now existing.

2. (n.) Ivory; the tusk of the elephant.

ELEPHANT

el'-e-fant

(Job 40:15 the King James Version margin, the American Revised Version, margin "hippopotamus," the Revised Version (British and American) "ivory"); 1 Kings 10:22 the King James Version margin; 2 Chronicles 9:21 the King James Version; APC 1Macc 3:34; 6:28; 8:6 Possibly in Job it is the extinct mammoth.

See BEHEMOTH; IVORY.

1661. elephantinos -- of ivory
... Word Origin from elephas (elephant, ivory) Definition of ivory NASB Word Usage
ivory (1). of ivory. From elephas (an "elephant"); elephantine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1661.htm - 6k7161. qeren -- a horn
... An elephant's tooth (ie Ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain),
a ray (of light); figuratively, power -- X hill, horn. see HEBREW qaran. ...
/hebrew/7161.htm - 6k

Concerning the Death of Antiochus Epiphane. How Antiochus Eupator ...
... sideways by one another. Now round about every elephant there were a thousand
footmen, and five hundred horsemen. The elephants also ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the death.htm

The Eternal Revolution
... Evolution is only good if it produces good; good is only good if it helps evolution.
The elephant stands on the tortoise, and the tortoise on the elephant. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/vii the eternal revolution.htm

It Will be Better to Adopt in this ChapterThe Same Process that ...
... If his muscles give a man a vote, then his horse ought to have two votes
and his elephant five votes. The truth is more subtle than ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 16 it will be.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. v. 22, "Whosoever Shall Say to ...
... The horse does not tame himself; the camel does not tame himself; the elephant does
not tame himself; the viper does not tame himself; the lion does not tame ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon v on the words.htm

His Preaching.
... speaking, Why a gnat has been so formed, that though it is a small creature, and
has six feet, yet it has got wings in addition; whereas an elephant, though it ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter viii his preaching.htm

Cavils of the Philosophers.
... And then one of them asked, Wherefore it was that a gnat, although it be so small,
and has six feet, has wings also; while an elephant, the largest of beasts ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter x cavils of the philosophers.htm

Christ's Remonstrances
... The Hindoos say that the world rests upon an elephant, and the elephant rests upon
a tortoise. ... Nothing! Then that is what the world and the elephant rest on. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/christs remonstrances.htm

How the City Jerusalem was Taken, and the Temple Pillaged [By ...
... Antiochus himself was upon him, he ran a great way before his own army, and cutting
his way through the enemy's troops, he got up to the elephant; yet could he ...
/.../chapter 1 how the city.htm

Of the Figures and Limbs of Animals.
... For then the hand, having lost the dignity which it now has, through its excessive
flexibility, [1835] would appear like the trunk of an elephant; and man ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap v of the figures and.htm

The Creation of Terrestrial Animals.
... and eat the animals upon whom they prey. Why has the elephant a trunk? This
enormous creature, the greatest of terrestrial animals ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily ix the creation of.htm

Elephant
... in the original Greek word (elephantinos) translated "of ivory" in Revelation
18:12, and in the Hebrew word (shenhabim, meaning "elephant's tooth") rendered ...
/e/elephant.htm - 7k

Ivory (13 Occurrences)
... The word habbim is derived from the Sanscrit ibhas, meaning "elephant," preceded
by the Hebrew article (ha); and hence it is argued that Ophir, from which it ...
/i/ivory.htm - 17k

Elephantine
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Pertaining to the elephant, or resembling an elephant
(commonly, in size); hence, huge; immense; heavy; as, of elephantine ...
/e/elephantine.htm - 6k

Maccabees
... young king was riding. He killed the elephant but he was himself crushed
to death by its fall (1 Maccabees 6:43-46). For the further ...
/m/maccabees.htm - 52k

Volume (4 Occurrences)
... Dimensions; compass; space occupied, as measured by cubic units, that is, cubic
inches, feet, yards, etc.; mass; bulk; as, the volume of an elephant's body; a ...
/v/volume.htm - 8k

Zoology
... Arabian Oryx (sv ANTELOPE), Chamois (2) Cervidae, Roe Deer, Fallow Deer, Red Deer
(sv DEER) (3) Camelidae, Camel PROBOSCIDEA: Elephant HYRACOIDEA: Coney SIRENIA ...
/z/zoology.htm - 18k

Needle (4 Occurrences)
... A rabbinical parallel is cited, "an elephant through a needle's eye." Some writers
have attempted to show that rhaphis referred to a small gate of a walled ...
/n/needle.htm - 10k

Trunk (3 Occurrences)
... and legs; the thorax; the truncus. 6. (n.) The proboscis of an elephant.
7. (n.) The proboscis of an insect. 8. (n.) A long tube ...
/t/trunk.htm - 9k

Rogue (2 Occurrences)
... of endearment. 4. (n.) An elephant that has separated from a herd and roams
about alone, in which state it is very savage. 5. (n ...
/r/rogue.htm - 7k

Eleph (1 Occurrence)

/e/eleph.htm - 7k

What did Jesus mean when He said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven? | GotQuestions.org

Are any mythological creatures mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about dinosaurs? Are there dinosaurs in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Elephant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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