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Ink; Inkhorn

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

(burnt in). Ancient ink heavy and thick and carried in an ink-horn (Jer. 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); Ezek. 9:2²And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar. (Ezekiel 9:2)).

Concise Bible Dictionary:

We know from the papyrus rolls discovered in Egypt that writing with pen, or reed, and ink was practiced in early days. Jeremiah caused Baruch to write in a book with ink the denunciations against Israel and Judah (Jer. 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)). The horn that contained the ink was carried in the girdle, as it is in some parts of the East to this day (Ezek. 9:2-3,11²And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar. ³And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; (Ezekiel 9:2‑3)
¹¹And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me. (Ezekiel 9:11)).

“552. Ink” From Manners and Customs of the Bible:

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). He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.

1. The ink of the ancients was usually composed of lampblack, soot, or pulverized charcoal, prepared with gum and water. It was sold in small particles or grains. When needed for use some of the grains were put into the inkhorn, (see note on Ezekiel 9:2²And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar. (Ezekiel 9:2), #570) and mixed with water until the mixture became of the consistence of our modern printer’s ink. It was of an intense glossy black, retaining its color for ages, yet easily obliterated with sponge and water. This is thought to be referred to in Numbers 5:23²³And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter water: (Numbers 5:23), and Col. 2:14¹⁴Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (Colossians 2:14). The ink still used in the East is mostly of this character.

Ink is also mentioned in 2 Corinthians 3:3³Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3:3); 2 John 12¹²Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. (2 John 12), and 3 John 13¹³I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: (3 John 13).

2. For a description of books, see note 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).

“570. The Inkhorn” From Manners and Customs of the Bible:

Ezekiel 9:2²And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar. (Ezekiel 9:2). One man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side.

It is still customary in the East to put into the girdle the case containing writing implements. It consists of two parts, a receptacle for the pens, and a box for the ink. It is sometimes made of ebony or some other hard wood, but generally of metal brass, copper, or silver—often highly polished and of exquisite workmanship. It is about nine or ten inches long, one and a half or two inches wide, and half an inch deep. The hollow shaft contains pens of reed and a penknife, and has a lid. To the upper end of this case the inkstand is soldered if of metal. This is a small box, square, round, or polygonal; has a lid which moves on hinges, and fastens with a clasp. It is usually twice as heavy as the shaft. The projection of the inkstand is seen outside the girdle, while the shaft is concealed by its folds.

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