engraver Summary and Overview

Heb. harash (Ex. 35:35; 38:23) means properly an artificer in wood, stone, or metal. The chief business of the engraver was cutting names or devices on rings and seals and signets (Ex. 28:11, 21, 36; Gen. 38:18).

His chief business was cutting names or devices on rings and seals; the only notices of engraving are in connection with the high priest's dress --the two onyx stones, the twelve jewels and the mitre-plate having inscriptions on them. #Ex 28:11,21,36|

In Exodus 35:35 rather "artificer" in wood, stone, or metal; so Exodus 10:28;Exodus 10:23," artificer" in weaving, etc. Bezaleel's workmanship was in gold, silver, brass, stone, wood (Exodus 31:4-5), Aboliab's in embroidery and weaving. Strict engraving of stones is mentioned in Exodus 28:9-21 in the case of the two onyx stones having six each of the 12 tribes' names, on the high priest's shoulders, and the 12 breast-plate stones with the 12 tribes' names engraven. Seal engraving the Israelites learned in Egypt; it existed in Mesopotamia from about 2000 B.C. The "ouches" of gold are the setting wreathed-like filagree round the stones, which were oval like the Egyptian kartouches containing hieroglyphic names. In Zechariah 3:9 "one stone ... I will engrave the graying (literally open the opening) thereof," i.e. I (God) will prepare for Him (Messiah) an exquisitely wrought body, a suitable temple for the Godhead (John 2:21). lie is the "stone cut out of the mountain without hands" (Daniel 2:45). Paul (Hebrews 10:5) explains Psalm 40:6," Mine ears hast Thou opened" (graven) by "a body hast Thou prepared Me."