Bible Dictionary
Inkhorn
An inkhorn was a small vessel or cup for holding ink, commonly carried in a writer’s girdle. The term appears in Ezekiel’s vision of the man clothed in linen.
Definition
An inkhorn was a small, usually round vessel or cup used to contain ink. Writers commonly carried it in the girdle. The English term reflects the former use of horns for holding ink.
Biblical Usage
The inkhorn appears in Ezekiel’s vision in connection with the man clothed in linen.
Historical Background
The underlying Hebrew word means simply a round vessel or cup. The English term reflects an earlier custom of using horns as ink containers.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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. 9:2, 3, 11). The word “inkhorn” was used by the translators, because in former times in this country horns were used for containing ink.