Ivory

"(Heb. pl. shenhabbim, the "tusks of elephants") was early used" "in decorations by the Egyptians, and a great trade in it was" carried on by the Assyrians (Ezek. 27:6; Rev. 18:12). It was used by the Phoenicians to ornament the box-wood rowing-benches "of their galleys, and Hiram's skilled workmen made Solomon's" throne of ivory (1 Kings 10:18). It was brought by the caravans "of Dedan (Isa. 21:13), and from the East Indies by the navy of" Tarshish (1 Kings 10:22). Many specimens of ancient Egyptian and Assyrian ivory-work have been preserved. The word habbim is "derived from the Sanscrit ibhas, meaning "elephant," preceded by" "the Hebrew article (ha); and hence it is argued that Ophir, from" which it and the other articles mentioned in 1 Kings 10:22 were "brought, was in India."