Bible Dictionary
Carving
Carving or engraving was widely practiced in biblical lands and used for sacred furnishings, buildings, priestly garments, signets, idols, and decorative objects.
Definition
Carving or engraving is the shaping or marking of material with a graver. In Bible lands it was practiced on wood, stone, ivory, clay, bronze, gold, silver, and glass, commonly in bas-relief but also with incised lines.
Biblical Usage
Carving was used in the tabernacle, temple, and priestly garments. Scripture also mentions carved or graven images and idols, as well as carved decorative work and engraved signets.
Historical Background
Ancient carvers worked many materials with considerable skill. Signets and scarabs illustrate incised carving, while biblical temple descriptions include carved figures and ornamentation.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
The arts of carving and engraving were much in request in the construction of both the tabernacle and the temple. (Exodus 31:5; 35:33; 1 Kings 6:18,35; Psalms 74:6) as well as in the ornamentation of the priestly dresses. (Exodus 28:9-36; 2 Chronicles 2:7,14; Zechariah 3:9)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>karv'-ing: Carving, or engraving, was extensively used among the peoples of Bible lands. There were no materials used in the arts which were not subjected to the graver's skill. Carved objects of wood, stone, ivory, clay, bronze, gold, silver and glass discovered today show how skillful the ancient carvers were. Carving was principally done in bas- relief, although Ex 28:11 shows that incised lines were also used. The signets and scarabs are examples of this class of carving. Several Hebrew words have been translated "carved" in the King James Version. Pecel or pecil is found in Jud 18:18; 2Ch 33:7,22; 34:3,1; chaqah in 1Ki 6:35. The translation "graven" appears in the Revised Version (British and American) of all these passages. In 1Ki 6:29,32,35, qala appears; in 1Ki 6:18,32, miqla`ath; in 1Ki 6:29 and Ps 74:6, pittuach; in Ex 31:5; 35:33, charosheth (see CARPENTER); chaTubhah in Pr 7:16 is better translated "striped" as in the Revised Version (British and American). For further notes on carving, see CRAFTS.</p><p>James A. Patch</p>