2903: Electricity and Amber Dec 2, 2024

It may sound surprising that the word ‘electricity’, or more specifically ‘electron’ comes from Ancient Greek, given that the ancient Greeks did not understand these concepts. Moreover, it is clear that the come from the source ἤλεκτρον (electrum), but it’s not totally clear why.

Due to its being a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, the name for amber was applied to electricity because rubbing amber causes electrostatic, and possibly the word was reinforced by its color, occurring within two of the most electrically conductive natural materials.

This led to the Persian, (and hence Arabic كهرباء (kahrubā) meaning ‘amber’ but now ‘electricity’. In a somewhat dis case, the Modern Hebrew חשמל (hashmal), which appears in the Bible, notably in Ezekiel's vision, is as a mysterious, radiant spiritual substance, or a type of angel. This is most definitely not amber, but when the Bible was translated into Greek, the word ἤλεκτρον (electrum) was used to translate this Hebrew word.