Calkers
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Calkers in the Bible?
Calkers are the specialized iron or steel tools used by shipwrights to drive oakum into the seams of wooden vessels for waterproofing.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding calkers clarifies the technical description of Tyrian shipbuilding in Ezekiel 27, illustrating the high level of maritime engineering and material preparation involved in the ancient trade networks described in the text.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Calkers were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Calkers in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Calkers clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Calkers." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/calkers/