Bible Dictionary
Graving
Graving is the carving, cutting, or engraving of designs in wood, stone, metal, or precious stones. Scripture uses the term for artistic work, inscriptions, engraved images, and carved gems.
Definition
Graving is the work of hewing, carving, cutting, or engraving designs in wood, stone, metal, or precious stones. It may include artistic metalwork, sculpting, the engraving of a plan, and intaglio work on gems.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses the term for carved images, artistic workmanship, engraved plans, written or marked designs, sculptor’s work, and the cutting of precious stones for priestly garments.
Historical Background
The supplied Hebrew terms distinguish ordinary hewing, fine artistic work, sculptor’s carving, plan or map engraving, and the engraving of precious stones. A graving tool could also mean a pen.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) Heb. hatsabh. Job 19:24, rendered “graven,” but generally means hewn stone or wood, in quarry or forest. (2.) Heb. harush. Jer. 17:1, rendered “graven,” and indicates generally artistic work in metal, wood, and stone, effected by fine instruments. (3.) Heb. haqaq. Ezek. 4:1, engraving a plan or map, rendered “pourtray;” Job 19:23, “written.” (4.) Heb. pasal points rather to the sculptor’s or the carver’s art (Isa. 30:22; 40:19; 41:7; 44:12-15). (5.) Pathah refers to intaglio work, the cutting and engraving of precious stones (Ex. 28:9-11, 21; Zech. 3:9; Cant. 1:10, 11). (6.) Heret. In Ex. 32:4 rendered “graving tool;” and in Isa. 8:1, “a pen.”