Dictionary entry

Pen

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The ancient pen was a stylus of hardened iron, Jer 17:1, sometimes pointed with diamond, for writing on hard substances, like metallic plates; when waxen tablets were used, the stylus had one end made broad and smooth, for erasing errors, 2Ki 21:13. For parchment, cloth, and similar substances, a reed pen was used, or a fine hair pencil, with ink, Jud 5:14Job 19:24Isa 8:1Jer 36:233Jo 1:13.