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Marble

Nature

What is the meaning of Marble in the Bible?

Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, typically calcite or dolomite, often displaying veining and used extensively in sculpture and architecture. While not native to the Levant, high-quality marble was imported into the region from centers of production in Greece and Italy.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding marble as an imported luxury material clarifies the economic scale and international trade networks involved in the construction of significant biblical structures, such as Solomon's Temple, highlighting the region's integration into broader ancient Mediterranean economies.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Marble were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Marble in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Marble 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

"Marble." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/marble/
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