Bible Encyclopedia: Weaving

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

WEAVING

we'-ving: Although weaving was one of the most important and best developed of the crafts of Bible times, yet we have but few Biblical references to enlighten us as to the processes used in those early days. A knowledge of the technique of weaving is necessary, however, if we are to understand some of the Biblical incidents. The principle of weaving in all ages is illustrated by the process of darning. The hole to be darned is laid over with parallel threads which correspond to the "warp" (shethi) of a woven fabric. Then, by means of a darning needle which takes the place of the shuttle in the loom, other threads are interlaced back and forth at right angles to the first set of strands. This second set corresponds to the woof (`erebh) or weft of woven cloth. The result is a web of threads across the hole. If the warp threads, instead of being attached to the edges of a fabric, are fastened to two beams which can be stretched either on a frame or on the ground, and the woof is interlaced exactly as in darning, the result will be a web of cloth. The process is then called weaving ('aragh), and the apparatus a loom. The most up-to-date loom of our modern mills differs from the above only in the devices for accelerating the process. The first of these improvements dates back some 5,000 years to the early Egyptians, who discovered what is technically known as shedding, i.e. dividing the warp into two sets of threads, every other thread being lifted so that the woof can run between, as is shown in the diagram of the Arabic loom.of considerable means (Mark 1:19, 20 John 19:27).

The looms are still commonly used among the Bedouins. Supppose only eight threads are used for an illustration. In reality the eight strands are made by passing one continuous thread back and forth between the two poles which are held apart by stakes driven into the ground. The even strands run through loops of string attached to a rod, and from there under a beam to the pole. By placing the ends upon stones, or by suspending it on loops, the even threads are raised above the odd threads, thus forming a shed through which the weft can be passed. The separating of odds and evens is assisted by a flat board of wedge-shaped cross-section, which is turned at right angles to the odd threads. After the shuttle has been passed across, this same stick is used to beat up the weft.

The threads are removed from the stones or loops, and allowed to lie loosely on the warp; it is pulled forward toward the weaver and raised on the stones in the position previously occupied by it. The flat spreader is passed through the new shed in which the odd threads are now above and the even threads below. The weft is run through and is beaten into place with the thin edge of it. The shuttle commonly used is a straight tree branch on which the thread is loosely wound "kite-string" fashion.

The loom used by Delilah was no doubt like the one described above (Judges 16:13, 14). It would have been an easy matter for her to run in Samson's locks as strands of the weft while he lay sleeping on the ground near the loom adjacent to rod under the beam. The passage might be transposed thus: "And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head into the web. And she passed in his locks and beat them up with the batten (yathedh), and said unto him, The Philistines are upon thee, Samson. And he awakened out of his sleep and as he jumped up he pulled away the pins of the loom."

The counterpart of the Bedouin loom is shown on the ancient tombs at Beni Chasan (see EB, 5279, or Wilkinson, I, 317). As Dr. Kennedy points out, the artist of that ancient picture has unwittingly reversed the order of the beams. The shedding beam, of the two, should be nearer the weaver. At what period the crude shedding device described above was replaced by a double set of loops worked by pedals is unknown. Some writers believe that the Jews were acquainted with it. The "flying shuttle" of the modern loom is probably a comparatively recent invention.

The products of the Bedouin looms are coarse in texture. Such passages as Exodus 35:35 Isaiah 19:9, and examples of ancient weaving, lead us to believe that in Bible times contemporaneous with the primitive loom were more highly developed machines, just as in the cities of Egypt and Palestine today, alongside of the crude Bedouin loom, are found the more intricate hand looms on which are produced the most delicate fabrics possible to the weaver's article. Examples of cloth comparing favorably with our best grades of muslin have been found among the Egyptian mummy wrappings.

Two other forms of looms have been used for weaving, in both of which the warp is upright. In one type the strands of the warp, singly or in bundles, are suspended from a beam and held taut by numerous small weights made of stones or pottery. Dr. Bliss found at Tel el-Chesy collections of weights, sometimes 60 or more together, individual examples of which showed marks where cords had been attached to them. These he assumed were weavers' weights (see A Mound of Many Cities). In this form the weaving was necessarily from top to bottom.

The second type of upright loom is still used in some parts of Syria, especially for weaving coarse goat's hair cloth. In this form the warp is attached to the lower beam and passes vertically upward over another beam and thence to a wall where it is gathered in a rope and tied to a peg, or it is held taut by heavy stone weights. The manipulation is much the same as in the primitive loom, except that the weft is beaten up with an iron comb. The web is wound up on the lower beam as it is woven (compare Isaiah 38:12).

Patterns are woven into the web

(1) by making the warp threads of different colors,

(2) by alternating colors in the weft,

(3) by a combination of (1) and (2); this produces checked work (shibbets, Exodus 28:39 the Revised Version (British and American));

(4) by running special weft threads through only a portion of the warp. This requires much skill and is probably the kind of weaving referred to in Exodus 26:1;; Ezekiel 16:13; Ezekiel 27:16;

(5) when metals are to be woven, they are rolled thin, cut into narrow strips, wound in spirals about threads of cotton or linen (compare Exodus 28:5;; 39:3;). In all these kinds of weaving the Syrian weavers of today are very skillful. If a cylindrical web is referred to in John 19:23, then Jesus' tunic must have been woven with two sets of warp threads on an upright loom so arranged that the weft could be passed first through one shed and then around to the other side and back through the shed of the second set.

Goliath's spear was compared in thickness to that of the weaver's beam, i.e. 2 inches to 2 1/2 inches in diameter (1 Samuel 17:7 2 Samuel 21:19 1 Chronicles 11:23; 1 Chronicles 20:5).

In Job 7:6, if "shuttle" is the right rendering for 'eregh, the reference is to the rapidity with which the thread of the shuttle is used up, as the second part of the verse indicates.

For a very full discussion of the terms employed see A. R. S. Kennedy in EB, IV, 5276-90.

James A. Patch

Greek

5332. pharmakeus -- sorcerer.
... They try to "work their magic" by performing "supernatural" stunts, weaving about
the Christian life to use "powerful" religious formulas ("incantations") that ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5332.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

707. arag -- to weave
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to weave NASB Word Usage weave (2), weaver
(2), weaver's (4), weavers (1), weaving (1), woven (3). weaver. ...
/hebrew/707.htm - 5k

8359. shethi -- warp
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition warp NASB Word Usage warp (9). warp.
From shiyth; a fixture, ie The warp in weaving -- warp. see HEBREW shiyth. ...
/hebrew/8359.htm - 5k

708. ereg -- a loom
... beam, weaver's shuttle. From 'arag; a weaving; a braid; also a shuttle -- beam,
weaver's shuttle. see HEBREW 'arag. 707, 708. ereg. 709 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/708.htm - 6k

5908. akkabish -- a spider
... spider. Probably from an unused root in the literal sense of entangling; a spider
(as weaving a network) -- spider. 5907, 5908. akkabish. 5909 . ...
/hebrew/5908.htm - 5k

Library

The Ugly Thread in the Weaving.
... III The Lover Wooing (John i. 19-xii. 50) The Ugly Thread in the Weaving.
Now for that ugly dark thread, the opposition to, the ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the ugly thread in the.htm

Holy Raiment of One's Own Weaving.
... SANCTIFICATION. V. Holy Raiment of One's Own Weaving. ... It is like a beautiful garment
of fine linen, very desirable, but it must be of one's own weaving. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/v holy raiment of ones.htm

God's Wooing.
... The web of life's daily run, with its strange mixing and blending, shadings and
tints, is of His weaving. He sits at life's loom ever watching and weaving. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/gods wooing.htm

Gifts and Talents.
... construction of the tabernacle required capable workmen, skilful carpenters, goldsmiths,
and silversmiths, and masters in the arts of weaving and embroidering. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/viii gifts and talents.htm

Personal Notes: Relics Nearby that the Three Kings had Given to ...
... I saw them also weaving among trees: the loom looked white, it was quite simple,
and the woven stuff must have been about the breadth of my sheet.'. ...
/.../the life of the blessed virgin mary/xv personal notes relics nearby.htm

Translated from Latin of Rufinus.
... as we see to be the case with spiders, which are stirred up in a most orderly manner
by a phantasy, ie, a sort of wish and desire for weaving, to undertake the ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from latin of rufinus.htm

The Preface Continued.
... The interchangeableness of the weaving of consecutive thought in the mind, and the
weaving it in expressed words, is precisely the question of the "relation of ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter ii the preface continued.htm

Through-The-Week Activities for Boys' Organized Classes
... Tent and Tepee Making Moccasin Making Huts, Lean-to, Shacks Grass Mat Weaving Map
Making Knot Tying Fire Lighting Boat Management Boat and Canoe Building ...
/.../the boy and the sunday school/x through-the-week activities for boys.htm

Introduction.
... No common woven work is it, whereof the Lord spake by His Prophet: "Who gave to
women their skill in weaving?" [1910] No common stones again, are they"stones ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/introduction 4.htm

The Monks.
... spent their time not only in prayers and other religious exercises, but in various
kinds of simple work, such as labouring in the fields, weaving baskets, ropes ...
/.../chapter xiii the monks.htm

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Weaving

The art of weaving appears to be coeval with the first dawning of civilization. We find it practiced with great skill by the Egyptians at a very early period; The vestures of fine linen" such as Joseph wore, (Genesis 41:42) were the product of Egyptian looms. The Israelites were probably acquainted with the process before their sojourn in Egypt; but it was undoubtedly there that they attained the proficiency which enabled them to execute the hangings of the tabernacle, (Exodus 35:35; 1 Chronicles 4:21) and other artistic textures. The Egyptian loom was usually upright, and the weaver stood at his work. The cloth was fixed sometimes at the top, sometimes at the bottom. The modern Arabs use a procumbent loom, raised above the ground by short legs. The textures produced by the Jewish weavers were very various. The coarser kinds, such tent-cloth, sack-cloth and the "hairy garments" of the poor, were made goat's or camel's hair. (Exodus 26:7; Matthew 3:4) Wool was extensively used for ordinary clothing, (Leviticus 13:47; Proverbs 27:26; 31:13; Ezekiel 27:18) while for finer work flax was used, varying in quality, and producing the different textures described in the Bible as "linen" and "fine linen." The mixture of wool and flax in cloth intended for a garment was interdicted. (Leviticus 19:19; 22:11)

ATS Bible Dictionary

Weaving

An art very early practiced by all nations, and exhibited on the ancient monuments of Egypt, Genesis 41:42. See FLAX.

It is usually performed by women, 2 Kings 23:7 Proverbs 31:13,19. The Jews say that the high-priest's tunic was made without a needle, being "woven from the top throughout;" thus also "the High-priest of our profession" was clothed, John 19:23.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Weaving was an art practised in very early times (Exodus 35:35). The Egyptians were specially skilled in it (Isaiah 19:9; Ezek. 27:7), and some have regarded them as its inventors.

In the wilderness, the Hebrews practised it (Exodus 26:1, 8; 28:4, 39; Leviticus 13:47). It is referred to in subsequent times as specially the women's work (2 Kings 23:7; Proverbs 31:13, 24). No mention of the loom is found in Scripture, but we read of the "shuttle" (Job 7:6), "the pin" of the beam (Judges 16:14), "the web" (13, 14), and "the beam" (1 Samuel 17:7; 2 Samuel 21:19). The rendering, "with pining sickness," in Isaiah 38:12 (A.V.) should be, as in the Revised Version, "from the loom," or, as in the margin, "from the thrum." We read also of the "warp" and "woof" (Leviticus 13:48, 49, 51-53, 58, 59), but the Revised Version margin has, instead of "warp," "woven or knitted stuff."

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Weave.

2. (n.) The act of one who, or that which, weaves; the act or art of forming cloth in a loom by the union or intertexture of threads.

3. (n.) An incessant motion of a horse's head, neck, and body, from side to side, fancied to resemble the motion of a hand weaver in throwing the shuttle.

Thesaurus

Weaving (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Weaving was an art practised in very early times
(Exodus 35:35). ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WEAVING. ...
/w/weaving.htm - 17k

Web (5 Occurrences)

/w/web.htm - 9k

Crafts (2 Occurrences)
... Plastering 16. Spinning and Weaving 17. ... 16. Spinning and Weaving: The arts of spinning
and weaving were early practiced in the household (Exodus 35:25). ...
/c/crafts.htm - 30k

Dress (38 Occurrences)
... Elijah's dress was probably the skin of a sheep (2 Kings 1:8). The Hebrews were
early acquainted with the art of weaving hair into cloth (Exodus 26:7; 35:6 ...
/d/dress.htm - 53k

Yarn (37 Occurrences)
... wool; woolen thread; also, thread of other material, as of cotton, flax, hemp, or
silk; material spun and prepared for use in weaving, knitting, manufacturing ...
/y/yarn.htm - 18k

Weave (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To practice weaving; to work with a loom. ... 5. (n.) A particular method or
pattern of weaving; as, the cassimere weave. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/w/weave.htm - 8k

Wool (34 Occurrences)
... it to a further washing with soap, ishnan (alkali plant), "soapwort", or other
cleansing agent (see FULLER), and then cards it before spinning and weaving. ...
/w/wool.htm - 21k

Machine (2 Occurrences)
... from a prime mover or from another machine, and transmit, modify, and apply them
to the production of some desired mechanical effect or work, as weaving by a ...
/m/machine.htm - 8k

Beam (17 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A cylinder of wood, making part of a loom, on which weavers wind the warp
before weaving; also, the cylinder on which the cloth is rolled, as it is ...
/b/beam.htm - 17k

Silkworm
... The raising of silkworms, and the spinning and weaving of silk are now important
industries in Syria, though the insect was unknown in Bible times. ...
/s/silkworm.htm - 9k

Bible Concordance

Weaving (4 Occurrences)

Mark 15:17 They clothed him with purple, and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on him.
(WEB)

Judges 16:14 And she fixeth 'it' with the pin, and saith unto him, 'Philistines 'are' upon thee, Samson;' and he awaketh out of his sleep, and journeyeth with the pin of the weaving machine, and with the web.
(YLT)

2 Kings 23:7 And he breaketh down the houses of the whoremongers that 'are' in the house of Jehovah, where the women are weaving houses for the shrine.
(YLT NAS NIV)

Job 7:6 My days swifter than a weaving machine, And they are consumed without hope.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Weaving: Bezaleel Skilled In

Weaving: General Scriptures Concerning

Weaving: Performed by Women

Weaving: Weaver's Shuttle

Related Terms

Web (5 Occurrences)