Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "fuller" refers to a person who was responsible for the cleaning and whitening of cloth, particularly wool. The process of fulling involved several steps, including washing, beating, and treating the fabric to remove oils, dirt, and other impurities. This occupation is mentioned in various contexts within the Bible, highlighting its significance in ancient society.
Biblical References:1.
2 Kings 18:17 : "Then the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh from Lachish with a great army to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They went up and arrived at Jerusalem, and they stood by the aqueduct of the upper pool, which is on the road to the Fuller’s Field." This passage situates the Fuller’s Field as a notable landmark near Jerusalem, indicating the importance of the fuller's trade in the region.
2.
Isaiah 7:3 : "Then the LORD said to Isaiah, 'Go out with your son Shear-jashub to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Fuller’s Field.'" Here, the Fuller’s Field is again mentioned as a location for a significant prophetic encounter, underscoring its prominence.
3.
Malachi 3:2 : "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap." The reference to "launderer’s soap" (or "fuller's soap" in some translations) metaphorically describes the purifying and cleansing work of God, akin to the fuller's task of cleaning garments.
Cultural and Historical Context:The fuller's work was essential in ancient textile production. Wool, a primary material for clothing, required thorough cleaning to be suitable for use. The fulling process involved soaking the wool in water mixed with alkaline substances, such as lye or fuller’s earth, a type of clay. The fabric was then beaten or trodden upon to remove impurities. This labor-intensive process not only cleaned the wool but also thickened and strengthened the fabric, making it more durable.
Fullers often worked in designated areas outside city limits due to the unpleasant odors and waste produced during the cleaning process. The Fuller’s Field mentioned in the Bible likely served as such a location, strategically placed near water sources necessary for the fulling process.
Symbolism and Theological Significance:In Scripture, the imagery of fulling is used to convey themes of purification and sanctification. Just as a fuller cleanses and whitens cloth, God purifies His people, removing the stains of sin and making them holy. This metaphor is particularly evident in
Malachi 3:2, where the coming of the Lord is likened to a refiner’s fire and a launderer’s soap, emphasizing the transformative power of divine judgment and grace.
The fuller's role, therefore, serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual cleansing, reflecting the biblical theme of God’s desire to purify His people and prepare them for His presence.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The word "full" is from the Anglo-Saxon fullian, meaning "to whiten." To full is to press or scour cloth in a mill. This art is one of great antiquity. Mention is made of "fuller's soap" (
Malachi 3:2), and of "the fuller's field" (
2 Kings 18:17). At his transfiguration our Lord's rainment is said to have been white "so as no fuller on earth could white them" (
Mark 9:3). En-rogel (q.v.), meaning literally "foot-fountain," has been interpreted as the "fuller's fountain," because there the fullers trod the cloth with their feet.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One whose occupation is to full cloth.
2. (n.) A die; a half-round set hammer, used for forming grooves and spreading iron; -- called also a creaser.
3. (v. t.) To form a groove or channel in, by a fuller or set hammer; as, to fuller a bayonet.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FULLERfool'-er (kabhac; literally, "to trample," gnapheus): The fuller was usually the dyer, since, before the woven cloth could be properly dyed, it must be freed from the oily and gummy substances naturally found on the raw fiber. Many different substances were in ancient times used for cleansing. Among them were white clay, putrid urine, and the ashes of certain desert plants (Arabic qali, Biblical "soap";Malachi 3:2). The fuller's shop was usually outside the city (2 Kings 18:17Isaiah 7:3;Isaiah 36:2), first, that he might have sufficient room to spread out his cloth for drying and sunning, and second, because of the offensive odors sometimes produced by his processes. The Syrian indigo dyer still uses a cleaning process closely allied to that pictured on the Egyptian monuments. The unbleached cotton is soaked in water and then sprinkled with the powdered ashes of the ishnan, locally called qali, and then beaten in heaps on a flat stone either with another stone or with a large wooden paddle. The cloth is washed free from the alkali by small boys treading on it in a running stream or in many changes of clean water (compare En-rogel, literally, "foot fountain," but translated also "fuller's fountain" because of the fullers' method of washing their cloth). Mark describes Jesus' garments at the time of His transfiguration as being whiter than any fuller on earth could whiten them (Mark 9:3).
James A. Patch
Greek
1102. gnapheus -- one who cleans woolen cloth... one who cleans woolen cloth. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: gnapheus
Phonetic Spelling: (gnaf-yuce') Short Definition: a
fuller, cloth-dresser
...333. anatheoreo -- to observe carefully
... as in completing a process," which intensifies 2334 , "gaze on") -- properly, consider
(literally " and down"); pay attention () to grasp thefuller meaning of...
5342. phero -- to bear, carry, bring forth
... The following is afuller expanded rendering of the Greek text, " [in view of the
meaning of salvation that extends to glorification, 1 Pet 1:9] (5342 )."....
2046. ereo -- call, say, speak of, tell.
... call, say, speak of, tell. Probably afuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo
in certain tenses; to utter, ie Speak or say -- call, say, speak (of), tell....
4265. problepo -- to foresee
... The following is afuller rendering of the Greek text of Heb 11:39,40: "And all
these [OT believers], having gained divine approval through the (principle of...
1840. exischuo -- to have strength enough
... It is only used in Eph 3:18, referring to apprehending (decisively laying hold of)
thefuller dimensions of knowing the Lord (His love, calling, presence)....
Strong's Hebrew
3526. kabas -- to wash... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to wash NASB Word Usage
fuller's (3), fullers'
(1), wash (38), washed (8), washes (1).
fuller, washing.
...53. Abishalom -- "my father is peace," two Israelites
... Or (shortened) babshalowm {ab-shaw- lome'}; from 'ab and shalowm; father of peace
(ie Friendly); Abshalom, a son of David; also (thefuller form) a later...
3084. Yehoseph -- Joseph
... Word Origin the same as Yoseph, qv. Joseph Afuller form of Yowceph; Jehoseph (ie
Joseph), a son of Jacob -- Joseph. see HEBREW Yowceph. 3083, 3084....
2744. Charchuwr -- an Israelite
... Harhur Afuller form of charchur; inflammation; Charchur, one of the Nethinim --
Harhur. see HEBREW charchur. 2743, 2744. Charchuwr. 2744a . Strong's Numbers
3201. yakol -- to be able, have power
... Or (fuller) yakowl {yaw-kole'}; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could)
or morally (may, might) -- be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away...
1138. Bunni -- the name of several Israelites
... NASB Word Usage Bunni (3). Bunni. Or (fuller) Buwniy {boo-nee'}; from banah; built;
Bunni or Buni, an Israelite -- Bunni. see HEBREW banah. 1137, 1138....
Library
AFuller Account of the Errors of Photinus, Apollinaris and...
... Chapter XII. Afuller account of the Errors of Photinus, Apollinaris and Nestorius.?
Afuller account of the Errors of Photinus, Apollinaris and Nestorius....
Lesser andFuller Forms.
... Lesser andFuller Forms. Moreover, we have endeavoured to use the fullest
form, including the words of those Gospels which have...
Moreover, to Give aFuller Demonstration of this Point...
... Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus. Various. 5. Moreover,
to give afuller demonstration of this point? [2829] Revelation 1:5...
Of the Characteristics of the Prayer, theFuller Treatment of...
... Prolegomena. Chapter IX. Of the characteristics of the prayer, thefuller treatment
of which is reserved for the Conferences of the Elders....
Letter F
... 1809, Expelled 1815 * Frost, Joseph H. "Received 1835 * Frost, Leonard "Received
1808, Withdrew 1829 * Frye, Joseph "Received 1809 *Fuller, Earl B...
Appendix.
... Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History; Milner's Church History; Scott's Continuation
of Milner; Life of Knox; Gilpin's Lives of the Reformers;Fuller's and Warner's...
India as Carey Found It
... With the cautious wisdom that marked allFuller's action, though perhaps with the
ignorance that was due to Carey's absence, the third meeting of the new...
Greatness in the Kingdom
... than the giant; and 'the least in the kingdom,' being nearer to Jesus Christ than
the men of old could ever be, because possessing thefuller revelation of God...
The Friend of Men 223 in Nothing Does the Contrast Between Jesus...
... From this solitude he sent forth his summons and warning to his people. They who
sought him forfuller teaching went after him and found him where he was....
The Lambeth Articles, AD 1595.
... II. and III.((Oxford ed.1822). ThomasFuller: Church History of Britain, Vol.... III.
p.523, and also in Strype,Fuller, Collier, and Hardwick, lc....
Thesaurus
Fuller (5 Occurrences)... This art is one of great antiquity. Mention is made of "
fuller's soap"
(Malachi 3:2), and of "the
fuller's field" (2 Kings 18:17).
...Fuller's (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible DictionaryFuller's field. A spot near... Hinnom. Here the fullers
pursued their occupation.Fuller's soap. (Hebrews borith...
Field (390 Occurrences)
... 13. (vt) To catch, stop, throw, etc. (the ball), as a fielder. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia.FULLER'S FIELD, THE. fool'-ers feld...
Fullers (4 Occurrences)
... And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool,
which is in the highway of thefuller's field. (See JPS)....
Conduit (5 Occurrences)
... When they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which
is in the highway of thefuller's field. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Ophir (12 Occurrences)
... We get afuller list of the wares and also the time taken by the voyage if we assume
that the same vessels are referred to in 1 Kings 10:22, "Once every three...
Rab-shakeh (14 Occurrences)
... And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool,
which is in the highway of thefuller's field. (See JPS BBE DBY WBS)....
Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)
... When they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which
is in the highway of thefuller's field. (WEB KJV ASV NAS)....
Aqueduct (4 Occurrences)
... And when they were come up, they came and stood by the aqueduct of the upper
pool, which is on the highway of thefuller's field. (DBY NIV)....
Tobit
... Schurer (GJV4,III, 243) gives the principal arguments for this view (compare
Fuller, Speaker's Commentary, I, 168) is muchfuller than BA....
Resources
Why are so many young people falling away from the faith? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that you are the head and not the tail in Deuteronomy 28:13? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the concept of "already but not yet"? | GotQuestions.orgFuller: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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