Library Home>Manners and Customs of the Bible>Manners and Customs of the Bible>888. Ink - Pens (#98423)

888. Ink - Pens

From: Manners and Customs of the Bible

By: James M. Freeman

Narrator: Chris Genthree

• 1 min. read • grade level: 7

Listen to This Article

3 John 13¹³I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: (3 John 13). I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee.

1. For a description of the ink used in the East, see note on Jeremiah 36:18¹⁸Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book. (Jeremiah 36:18) (#552).

2. There were two sorts of pens. One was of iron, for use on metallic or waxed plates. See Jeremiah 17:1¹The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars; (Jeremiah 17:1) and notes on Job 19:23-24²³Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! ²⁴That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! (Job 19:23‑24) (#414) and on Luke 1:63⁶³And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. (Luke 1:63) (#750). The other was a reed pointed in the same manner as the quill pens of modern times, though not usually slit. This was used with the ink for writing on parchment, or on papyrus.

Click here to show subject links in the text for more information.

Previous Article

Manners and Customs of the Bible

• 870. Roman Military Triumphs

• 871. Wall - Window - Basket

• 872. The Pedagogue

• 873. The Mark

• 874. Military Sandals

• 875. Fiery Darts

• 876. Register of Citizens' Names

• 877. Roman Military Discipline

• 878. Singleness of Aim

• 879. Obligations of Law

• 880. Mural Inscriptions

• 881. The Cloak

• 882. The Golden Censer

• 883. Sawing Asunder

• 884. The Race

• 885. Traveling Merchants

• 886. Adornments of the Head

• 887. The Chief Shepherd

• 888. Ink - Pens

• 889. Love Feasts

• 890. The Choenix

• 891. Palm Branches

• 892. Temple Watchmen

• 893. Many Crowns