Topical Encyclopedia
Felt, a non-woven textile material made by matting, condensing, and pressing fibers together, is not directly mentioned in the Bible. However, understanding the historical and cultural context of textiles in biblical times can provide insight into how materials like felt might have been used or understood.
Historical ContextIn ancient times, textiles were an essential part of daily life, used for clothing, tents, and various household items. The Bible frequently mentions wool, linen, and other fabrics, indicating the importance of textile production in the ancient Near East. While felt itself is not explicitly referenced, the process of creating textiles through matting and pressing fibers was known in various ancient cultures.
Biblical TextilesThe Bible often refers to wool and linen, the primary materials used for clothing and other textiles. For example,
Leviticus 19:19 states, "You are to keep My statutes. You shall not breed together two kinds of your livestock; you shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor wear a garment upon you of two kinds of material mixed together." This verse highlights the significance of textile purity and the separation of materials, which could extend to the use of felt if it were made from mixed fibers.
Symbolism and UseTextiles in the Bible often carry symbolic meanings. For instance, garments can represent righteousness or authority. In
Revelation 19:8 , it is said, "She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure. For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints." While felt is not mentioned, the emphasis on textile quality and purity could imply that any material used, including felt, would need to meet certain standards of craftsmanship and symbolism.
Cultural PracticesIn biblical times, the process of making textiles was labor-intensive and required skill. Women often engaged in spinning and weaving, as seen in
Proverbs 31:13 : "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands." Although felt-making is a different process, it similarly requires careful handling of fibers, suggesting that those skilled in textile production could have been familiar with felt or similar materials.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not specifically mention felt, the broader context of textile production and use in biblical times allows for the possibility that materials like felt were known and utilized. The principles of purity, craftsmanship, and symbolism associated with textiles in the Bible would likely apply to any material, including felt, used by the people of that era.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Feel.
2. (v.) imp. & p. p. / a. from Feel.
3. (n.) A cloth or stuff made of matted fibers of wool, or wool and fur, fulled or wrought into a compact substance by rolling and pressure, with lees or size, without spinning or weaving.
4. (n.) A hat made of felt.
5. (n.) A skin or hide; a fell; a pelt.
6. (v. t.) To make into felt, or a felt like substance; to cause to adhere and mat together.
7. (v. t.) To cover with, or as with, felt; as, to felt the cylinder of a steam engine.
Greek
928. basanizo -- to torture... Word Origin from basanos Definition to torture NASB Word Usage battered (1),
felt...tormented (1), pain (1), straining (1), torment (4), tormented (4).
...4697. splagchnizomai -- to be moved in the inward parts, ie to...
... Word Origin from splagchnon Definition to be moved in the inward parts, ie to feel
compassion NASB Word Usage feel compassion (2),felt compassion (7), moved...
2217. zophos -- deep gloom
... 2217 -- murky, appalling gloom, referring to darkness so dense and foreboding it
is "felt"; (figuratively) , associated with the nether world () bringing its...
3338. metamelomai -- to regret, repent
... Word Origin from meta and melo Definition to regret, repent NASB Word Usage change
his mind (1), feel remorse (1),felt remorse (1), regret (2), regretted (1)....
1097. ginosko -- to come to know, recognize, perceive
... Definition to come to know, recognize, perceive NASB Word Usage ascertaining (1),
aware (7), certainty (1), come to know (1), comprehend (1),felt (1), find (3...
1189. deomai -- to want, entreat
... 1189 (from the root , "having deep personal need, to be in want," see also 1162 ,
"felt-need") -- properly, to because of lack -- hence, to ; to have deep...
25. agapao -- to love
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition to love NASB Word Usage beloved (8),
felt a love for (1), love (1), love (75), loved (38), loves (20). indignation....
1561. ekdoche -- a receiving from, expectation
... 1561 (from 1551, " anticipate") -- properly, out from the judge and on to the one
judged, ie the outcome of solemn (-felt) of receiving one's "just desserts...
2192. echo -- to have, hold
... 1), conceived* (1), consider (2), considered (2), could (2), derive (1), deriving
(1), devoid* (1), enjoyed (1), experiencing (1),felt (1), following (1), get...
Strong's Hebrew
4959. mashash -- to feel, grope... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to feel, grope NASB Word Usage feel (1),
felt (2),
felt through (2), grope (3), gropes (1). feel, grope, search.
...6215. Esav -- oldest son of Isaac
... Apparently a form of the passive participle of asah in the original sense of handling;
rough (ie Sensiblyfelt); Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity...
982. batach -- to trust
... root Definition to trust NASB Word Usage bold (1), careless (1), complacent (3),
confident (2), fall down (1),felt secure (1), have (2), have confidence (1...
Library
The HatredFelt by the Heathen against the Christians is Unjust...
... Book I. Chapter I. "The HatredFelt by the Heathen Against the Christians
is Unjust, Because Based on Culpable Ignorance. [458] [459]...
Describes the GriefFelt on Account of their Sins by Souls on whom...
... THE SIXTH MANSIONS CHAPTER VII. DESCRIBES THE GRIEFFELT ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR SINS
BY SOULS ON WHOM GOD HAS BESTOWED THE BEFORE-MENTIONED FAVOURS....
The FearFelt by the Inhabitants of Jerusalem.
... CHAPTER XLIV. The Fearfelt by the Inhabitants of Jerusalem. Fourth Word
of Jesus on the Cross. It was about half-past one o'clock...
"IFelt My Heart Strangely Warmed"
... Chapter 2. Troubles in Georgia; Return to England; Peter Bohler; "IFelt my
Heart Strangely Warmed" "IFelt My Heart Strangely Warmed"....
The HandFelt Its Way up his Arm, And...
... Chapter 6 The handfelt its way up his arm, and? The handfelt its way
up his arm, and, grasping it gently and strongly above...
That all Witting and Feeling of a Man's Own Being must Needs be...
... THE THREE AND FORTIETH CHAPTER That all witting and feeling of a man's own being
must needs be lost if the perfection of this word shall verily befelt in any...
Of the Sorrow which Brother JuniperFelt at the Loss of his...
... PART TWO. HERE BEGINNETH THE LIFE OF BROTHER JUNIPER CHAPTER XIII OF THE SORROW
WHICH BROTHER JUNIPERFELT AT THE LOSS OF HIS COMPANION BROTHER AMAZIALBENE....
As this Poem Makes us Understand what Many Men must haveFelt when...
... As this poem makes us understand what many men must havefelt when the Gospel
was once more made accessible to them in their own language....
Why the Lord's Yoke isFelt Grievous and his Burden Heavy.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XXIV. Why the Lord's yoke isfelt
grievous and His burden heavy. But the fact that to us...
Hence it Was, that Sinners of all Sorts, thatFelt the Burden of...
... [Way-1-115] Hence it was, that sinners of all sorts, thatfelt the burden
of their evil? Hence it was, that sinners of all sorts...
Thesaurus
Felt (40 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) A hat made of
felt. 5. (n.) A skin or hide; a fell; a pelt. 6. (vt) To make
into
felt, or a
felt like substance; to cause to adhere and mat together.
...Unknown (15 Occurrences)
... British and American). Paul in Athens, "as he beheld the city full of idols,"
felt that God was truly unknown there. Hence the altar...
Earthquake (17 Occurrences)
... Mt. Hermon, and wasfelt even all the way to Hebron. Since that time a
few feeble shocks have beenfelt but no damage was done....
Saviour (157 Occurrences)
... deliverer of his people" is the concept on which, virtually, the whole Old Testament
is based (see SALVATION), yet the Hebrews seem never to havefelt the need...
Agony (20 Occurrences)
... As the wire carries the electric current, so every nerve in Jesus' physical being
felt the anguish of His sensitive soul as He took upon Himself the burden of...
Gift (148 Occurrences)
... 2. Foreign Languages Barred Out: These characteristics of an interpreter make it
clear that "speaking in a tongue" at Corinth was not normallyfelt to be...
Lord's (548 Occurrences)
... was a purely Christian word, but recent discoveries have proved that it was in fairly
common use in the Roman Empire before Christian influence had beenfelt....
Weak (102 Occurrences)
... sentence; a weak style. 18. (vi) Not prevalent or effective, or notfelt
to be prevalent; not potent; feeble. 19. (vi) Lacking in...
Cured (62 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 14:14 So Jesus went out and saw an immense multitude, andfelt
compassion for them, and cured those of them who were out of health. (WEY)....
Apostolic (2 Occurrences)
... The churches founded needed revisiting and confirming, but when the apostlefelt
that they could shift for themselves, hefelt also that his work in the East...
Resources
Who was Oswald Chambers? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that it is not good for a man to be alone (Genesis 2:18)? | GotQuestions.orgWho was John Wesley? | GotQuestions.orgFelt: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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