An inkhorn is a small container used for holding ink, typically made from horn or a similar material. In biblical times, it was an essential tool for scribes and those involved in writing and record-keeping. The term "inkhorn" appears in the Bible in the book of Ezekiel, where it is associated with a vision given to the prophet.

Biblical Reference:

The primary biblical reference to an inkhorn is found in Ezekiel 9:2-3, where the prophet Ezekiel describes a vision of judgment upon Jerusalem. In this vision, six men appear, each with a weapon in hand, and among them is a man clothed in linen with a writing kit at his side:

"And I saw six men coming from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with a weapon of slaughter in his hand. And among them was a man clothed in linen, with a writing kit at his side. They went in and stood beside the bronze altar." (Ezekiel 9:2)

The man clothed in linen, often interpreted as an angelic figure, is instructed to pass through the city and mark the foreheads of those who lament over the abominations committed in Jerusalem. The inkhorn, or writing kit, symbolizes the recording of divine judgment and mercy, as it is used to mark those who will be spared from destruction.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In the context of Ezekiel's vision, the inkhorn represents the authority and precision of God's judgment. The act of marking individuals with the inkhorn signifies God's intimate knowledge of His people and His ability to discern the righteous from the wicked. This imagery underscores the theme of divine justice and the separation of those who are faithful to God from those who are not.

The man with the inkhorn is often seen as a prefiguration of Christ or a type of the Holy Spirit, who marks believers with a seal of protection and ownership. This interpretation aligns with the New Testament concept of believers being sealed by the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of their salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, scribes played a crucial role in society, responsible for recording legal documents, religious texts, and historical records. The inkhorn was an indispensable tool for these scribes, symbolizing their authority and the permanence of the written word. The use of an inkhorn in Ezekiel's vision would have been a familiar image to the original audience, emphasizing the seriousness and irrevocability of God's decrees.

Theological Significance:

The inkhorn in Ezekiel's vision serves as a powerful reminder of God's omniscience and His ability to discern the hearts of individuals. It highlights the importance of repentance and faithfulness in the face of judgment. The imagery of marking the faithful also foreshadows the eschatological themes found in the book of Revelation, where God's servants are sealed for protection during times of tribulation (Revelation 7:3).

In summary, the inkhorn in the Bible is a symbol of divine judgment, mercy, and the meticulous nature of God's justice. It serves as a reminder of the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God, marked by repentance and faithfulness.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. 1. (n.) A small bottle of horn or other material formerly used for holding ink; an inkstand; a portable case for writing materials.

2. (a.) Learned; pedantic; affected.

INK-HORN

ink'-horn (keceth equals keseth, BDB, 903): This term "inkhorn" occurs 3 times in Ezekiel 9 (9:2, 3, 11), in the phrase "writer's inkhorn upon his loins" (or "by his side"). The word is more exactly "implement case," or "writing-case" (calamarium atramentarium, theca calamaria, theca libraria, graphiaria). This may have been the Egyptian palette (Budge, Mummy, 350-52) seen so often in the monuments of all periods, or the later form of pen-case with ink-well attached, which is a modified form adapted for ink carried in fluid form. The Egyptian palette was carried characteristically over the shoulder or under the arm, neither of which methods is strictly "upon the loins." The manner of carrying, therefore, was doubtless in the girdle, as in modern oriental usage (Benzinger, Hebrew Archaeol., 185). A good example of the pen-case and inkwell writing-case (given also in Garucci, Daremberg-Saglio, Gardthausen, etc.) is given from the original in Birt, Die Buchrolle in der Kunst, 220, and is reproduced (a) in this article, together with (b) an Egyptian palette. Whether the form of Ezekiel's case approached the palette or the ink-well type probably depends on the question of whether dry ink or fluid ink was used in Ezekiel's time (see INK). Compare Hieronymus at the place, and for literature, see WRITING, and especially Gardthausen, Greek Palestine, 1911, I, 193-94.

E. C. Richardson

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. ... inkhorn. ...
/hebrew/7083.htm - 6k

A Sermon to Open Neglecters and Nominal Followers of Religion
... Though no man clothed in linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side, shall go through
the midst of you to set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 13 1867/a sermon to open neglecters.htm

Wesley at Windsor Park
... in whole or in part. Even his firescreen, his lamps of various sorts,
his inkhorn, his very save-all. I really believe, were he ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley at windsor park.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... They therefore determined to afford him an opportunity of informing his friends
of his situation, and accordingly sent him a pen and inkhorn, concealed in a ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 57.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... There also sat a man at a little distance from the door, at a table-side, with a
book and his inkhorn before him, to take the name of him that should enter ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

Inkhorn (4 Occurrences)
... The word "inkhorn" was used by the translators, because in former times in this
country horns were used for containing ink. ...Inkhorn (4 Occurrences). ...
/i/inkhorn.htm - 10k

Ink-horn (3 Occurrences)
Ink-horn. Inkhorn, Ink-horn. Inkling . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
INK-HORN. ... (DBY). Inkhorn, Ink-horn. Inkling . Reference Bible.
/i/ink-horn.htm - 9k

Kit (3 Occurrences)
... which lies toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand; and
one man in the midst of them clothed in linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his ...
/k/kit.htm - 7k

Writer's (2 Occurrences)
... which lies toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand; and
one man in the midst of them clothed in linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his ...
/w/writer's.htm - 7k

Scribe's (5 Occurrences)
... gate, that is facing the north, and each his slaughter-weapon in his hand, and one
man in their midst is clothed with linen, and a scribe's inkhorn at his loins ...
/s/scribe's.htm - 8k

Loins (72 Occurrences)
... gate, that is facing the north, and each his slaughter-weapon in his hand, and one
man in their midst is clothed with linen, and a scribe's inkhorn at his loins ...
/l/loins.htm - 33k

Ink (4 Occurrences)

/i/ink.htm - 10k

Linen (111 Occurrences)
... which lies toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand; and
one man in the midst of them clothed in linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his ...
/l/linen.htm - 50k

Threshhold (12 Occurrences)
... threshhold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, who
had the writer's inkhorn by his side; (WBS). Ezekiel 10:4 ...
/t/threshhold.htm - 10k

Printed (2 Occurrences)
... The use of the inkhorn in setting the mark upon the forehead (Ezekiel 9:3, 4, 6)
certainly points to marking with color rather than branding. See INK-HORN. ...
/p/printed.htm - 13k

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