The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c26.5

v1.c26.5

² The derivation of the Greek word for ivory, *elephas*, given in Liddell and Scott is etymology at its wildest. It is supposed to be the Sanskrit word *ibha*, meaning 'elephant,' preceded by the *Arabic* definite article *el* (!). Not much can be built upon the passage, I Kings, x, 22, where the Hebrew author states that the navy of King Solomon in the tenth century b.c. brought (according to our English version) 'ivory, apes, and peacocks.' See Cheyne in *Encycl. Bibl.*, *s.v.* 'Ophir' and 'Peacocks.'