King James Bible Dictionary

As a mineral, consists of carbonate of lime, its texture varying from the highly crystalline to the compact. In Esther 1:6 there are four Hebrew words which are rendered marble:,

1. Shesh, "pillars of marble." But this word probably designates dark-blue limestone rather than marble.

2. Dar, some regard as Parian marble. It is here rendered "white marble." But nothing is certainly known of it.

3. Bahat, "red marble," probably the verd-antique or half-porphyry of Egypt.

4. Sohareth, "black marble," probably some spotted variety of marble. "The marble pillars and tesserae of various colours of the palace at Susa came doubtless from Persia itself, where marble of various colours is found, especially in the province of Hamadan Susiana." The marble of Solomon's architectural works may have been limestone from near Jerusalem, or from Lebanon, or possibly white marble from Arabia. Herod employed Parian marble in the temple, and marble columns still exist in great abundance at Jerusalem.

In the temple
1 Chronicles 29:2

Pillars of
Esther 1:6; Song of Solomon 5:15

Merchandise of
Revelation 18:12

Mosaics of
Esther 1:6

The Hebrew shesh , the generic term for marble, may probably be taken to mean almost any shining stone. The so-called marble of Solomon's architectural works may thus have been limestone. There can be no doubt that Herod both in the temple and elsewhere employed Parian or other marble. The marble pillars and tesser' of various colors of the palace at Susa came doubtless from Persia. (Esther 1:8)

M'ARBLE, noun [Latin marmor; Gr. white.]

1. The popular name of any species of calcarious stone or mineral, of a compact texture, and of a beautiful appearance, susceptible of a good polish. The varieties are numerous, and greatly diversified in color. marble is limestone, or a stone which may be calcined to lime, a carbonate of lime; but limestone is a more general name, comprehending the calcarious stones of an inferior texture, as well as those which admit a fine polish. marble is much used for statues, busts, pillars, chimney pieces, monuments, etc.

2. A little ball of marble or other stone, used by children in play.

3. A stone remarkable for some inscription or sculpture.

Arundel marbles,

Arundelian marbles, marble pieces with a chronicle of the city of Athens inscribed on them; presented to the university of Oxford, by Thomas, earl of Arundel.

M'ARBLE, adjective Made of marble; as a marble pillar.

1. Variegated in color; stained or veined like marble; as the marble cover of a book.

2. Hard; insensible; as a marble heart.

M'ARBLE, verb transitive To variegate in color; to cloud; to stain or vein like marble; as, to marble the cover of a book.

M'ARBLED, participle passive Diversified in color; veined like marble.

M'ARBLED-HE'ARTED, adjective Having a heart like marble; hard hearted; cruel; insensible; incapable of being moved by pity, love or sympathy.