Ink, a liquid or paste used for writing or drawing, is mentioned in the Bible in contexts that highlight its role in communication and record-keeping. In the ancient world, ink was typically made from a mixture of soot or charcoal and gum, dissolved in water. This mixture was applied to papyrus, parchment, or other writing surfaces using a reed pen.

Biblical References

The use of ink is explicitly mentioned in the New Testament. In 2 John 1:12, the Apostle John writes, "I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete" . Similarly, in 3 John 1:13, he states, "I have much to write to you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink" . These references indicate that ink was a common tool for writing letters and documents in the early Christian community.

Symbolism and Usage

Ink, as a medium for writing, symbolizes the permanence and authority of written communication. In the biblical context, the use of ink underscores the importance of preserving teachings, instructions, and personal communications. The Apostle John's preference for face-to-face communication over writing with ink suggests a desire for personal interaction and the limitations of written words in conveying the fullness of Christian fellowship and joy.

Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, ink was an essential component of literacy and record-keeping. Scribes, who were skilled in the art of writing, used ink to transcribe important documents, legal contracts, and religious texts. The durability of ink on papyrus and parchment allowed for the preservation of texts over long periods, contributing to the transmission of biblical manuscripts through generations.

Theological Implications

The use of ink in the Bible highlights the significance of the written word in God's revelation to humanity. The Scriptures, inspired by the Holy Spirit, were recorded by human authors using ink, ensuring that God's message was preserved and accessible to future generations. This underscores the belief in the divine authority and inerrancy of the Bible, as the written Word of God.

Cultural Impact

The development and use of ink have had a profound impact on the dissemination of biblical texts. The ability to produce written copies of the Scriptures facilitated the spread of Christianity and the teaching of biblical truths. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century, which utilized ink, revolutionized the availability of the Bible, making it more accessible to the general population and contributing to the Reformation and the spread of Protestantism.

In summary, ink, though a simple substance, played a crucial role in the communication and preservation of biblical teachings. Its mention in the Scriptures serves as a reminder of the enduring power and importance of the written Word in the life of the Church and individual believers.Ink

Jeremiah 36:18. The ink of the ancients was thick and durable, and resembled our printer's ink. The ordinary materials were powdered charcoal, or ivory black, water, and gum. The black matter of the scuttle-fish was also used. Writers carried their inkhorns within, or suspended from, their girdles, Ezekiel 9:2. See GIRDLE.

1. (n.) The step, or socket, in which the lower end of a millstone spindle runs.

2. (n.) A fluid, or a viscous material or preparation of various kinds (commonly black or colored), used in writing or printing.

3. (n.) A pigment. See India.

4. (v. t.) To put ink upon; to supply with ink; to blacken, color, or daub with ink.

INK

ink (deyo, from root meaning "slowly flowing," BDB, 188; melan, "black"): Any fluid substance used with pen or brush to form written characters. In this sense ink is mentioned once in the Hebrew Bible (Jeremiah 36:2) and 3 times in the Greek New Testament (2 Corinthians 3:3 2 John 1:12; 2 John ; 3 John 1:13), and it is implied in all references to writing on papyrus or on leather. The inference from the "blotting out" of Exodus 32:33 and Numbers 5:23 that the Hebrew ink was a lamp-black and gum, or some other dry ink, is confirmed by the general usage of antiquity, by the later Jewish prejudice against other inks (OTJC, 71 note) and by a Jewish receipt referring to ink-tablets (Drach, "Notice sur l'encre des Hebreux," Ann. philos. chret., 42, 45, 353). The question is, however, now being put on a wholly new basis by the study of the Elephantine Jewish documents (Meyer, Papyrusfund2, 1912, 15, 21), and above all of the Harvard Ostraca from Samaria which give actual specimens of the ink in Palestine in the time of Ahab (Harvard Theological Review, Jan. 1911, 136-43). It is likely, however, that during the long period of Bible history various inks were used. The official copy of the law in the time of Ptolemy Philadelphus was, according to Josephus (Ant., XII, ii, 11), written in gold, and the vermilion and red paints and dyes mentioned in Jeremiah 22:14 Ezekiel 23:14, and The Wisdom of Solomon 13:14 (milto kai phukei) were probably used also for writing books or coloring incised inscriptions. See literature under WRITING; especially Krauss, Talmud, Arch. 3, 148-53; Gardthausen, Greek Palestine, 1911, I, 202-17, and his bibliographical references passim.

E. C. Richardson

3188. melan -- ink.
... melan. 3189 . ink. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: melan Phonetic Spelling:
(mel'-an) Short Definition: ink Definition: ink. ... of melas, qv. ink. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3188.htm - 6k

3189. melas -- black
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition black NASB Word Usage black (3), ink (3). black.
Apparently a primary word; black -- black. (melainan) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3189.htm - 6k

1773. deyo -- ink
... deyo. 1774 . ink. Transliteration: deyo Phonetic Spelling: (deh-yo') Short Definition:
ink. Word Origin noun from davah Definition ink NASB Word Usage ink (1) ...
/hebrew/1773.htm - 5k

7083. qeseth -- a pot (for ink), inkhorn
... 7082, 7083. qeseth. 7084 . a pot (for ink), inkhorn. Transliteration:
qeseth Phonetic Spelling: (keh'-seth) Short Definition: case. ...
/hebrew/7083.htm - 6k

The Action of Jesus Christ in the Souls of Men.
... The souls of the saints are the paper, the sufferings and actions the ink. ... The paper
is blacker than the ink, and there is great confusion in the type. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section v the action of jesus.htm

Explaining the Divine Life.
... finger in inks of different colors; and, when Bessie asked where her face was dirty,
she quickly pointed out the places, each time leaving a large spot of ink. ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter xvi explaining the divine.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... written in our hearts, known and read of all men; being made manifest that ye are
an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm

The Power of God's Word Over the Human Affections.
... Knowing how poor the peasant was the gentleman asked him where he would get
his paper and ink from? "I will buy them," was the reply. ...
/.../pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/iii the power of gods.htm

The New Covenant: a Ministration of the Spirit
... Chapter VII. The New Covenant: A Ministration of the Spirit. "Ye are an epistle
of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter vii the new covenant .htm

2 Cor. Iii. 1
... Where then is the difference? "Written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the
living God; not in tables of stone, but in tables that are hearts of flesh.". ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily vi 2 cor iii.htm

"Rabbi," Says Nicodemus to Christ, "We Know that Thou Art a ...
... come from God." Now that which was here truly said of Christ in the flesh, is the
very truth that must be said of the scripture teaching in ink and paper; it ...
/.../address 70 0 0 rabbi says nicodemus.htm

The Same Unity May Also be Recognized from the Fact that the ...
... And so the Apostle says: "For the Law is spiritual, which, indeed, is written not
with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iii the same unity.htm

Wesley's Last Hours
... [Having sung two verses] his strength failed, but after lying still awhile he called
on Mr. Bradford to give him a pen and ink; he brought them, but the right ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesleys last hours.htm

The Truth is to be Found Nowhere Else but in the Catholic Church ...
... many nations of those barbarians who believe in Christ do assent, having salvation
written in their hearts by the Spirit, without paper or ink, and, carefully ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/irenaeus/against heresies/chapter iv the truth is to.htm

Ink (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A pigment. See India. 4. (vt) To put ink upon; to supply with ink; to blacken,
color, or daub with ink. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. INK. ...
/i/ink.htm - 10k

Ink-horn (3 Occurrences)
Ink-horn. Inkhorn, Ink-horn. Inkling . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
INK-HORN. ink'-horn (keceth equals keseth, BDB, 903 ...
/i/ink-horn.htm - 9k

Inkhorn (4 Occurrences)
... The Hebrew word so rendered means simply a round vessel or cup for containing ink,
which was generally worn by writers in the girdle (Ezek. ...INK-HORN. ...
/i/inkhorn.htm - 10k

Pen (16 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) An instrument used for writing with ink, formerly made of a reed, or of
the quill of a goose or other bird, but now also of other materials, as of steel ...
/p/pen.htm - 14k

Printed (2 Occurrences)
... Neither "pressure," as some say, nor "ink," as others, is essential to the process,
for printing from a photographic negative takes no pressure, and printing ...
/p/printed.htm - 13k

Printing
... Neither "pressure," as some say, nor "ink," as others, is essential to the process,
for printing from a photographic negative takes no pressure, and printing ...
/p/printing.htm - 13k

Blot (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (vt) To spot, stain, or bespatter, as with
ink. ... 8. (n.) A spot or stain, as of ink on paper; a blur. ...
/b/blot.htm - 16k

Print (3 Occurrences)
... Neither "pressure," as some say, nor "ink," as others, is essential to the process,
for printing from a photographic negative takes no pressure, and printing ...
/p/print.htm - 15k

Ostraca
... Upon the smoothest of these pieces of unglazed pottery the poorest might
write in ink his memoranda, receipts, letters or texts. ...
/o/ostraca.htm - 10k

Deal (170 Occurrences)
... for salvation. (See RSV). 2 John 1:12 I have a great deal to say to you
all, but will not write it with paper and ink. Yet I hope ...
/d/deal.htm - 40k

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