Long before the exile, the prophet Amos had rebuked wealthy ones in Israel for their “houses of ivory ” and for their“ lying down on couches of ivory. ”
(‏ عاموس ٣ :‏ ١٥ ؛‏ ٦ :‏ ٤‏ )‏ فَبُيُوتُهُمُ ٱلْفَخْمَةُ وَأَثَاثُهُمُ ٱلْمُزَخْرَفُ لَمْ تَدُمْ لَهُمْ ،‏ إِذْ نَهَبَهَا ٱلْأَعْدَاءُ ٱلْغُزَاةُ .‏