On wood, metal, and precious stones, engraving was known to the Israelites (Ex. 28: 11; Ex. 32: 4; Ex. 38: 23; Ex. 39: 6; 1 Kgs. 7: 31, 36; 2 Chr. 2: 14; 2 Chr. 3: 7). Specimens dating from before the Exile and bearing short Hebrew inscriptions exist at the present day. Cf. Plates of Laban (1 Ne. 3: 1-3, 12).