Topical Encyclopedia
The term "leathern" refers to anything made of leather, a durable and flexible material created by tanning animal hides. In biblical times, leather was a common material used for various purposes, including clothing, footwear, and containers. The use of leather is mentioned in several contexts throughout the Bible, reflecting its importance in ancient daily life and religious practices.
Biblical References and Uses1.
Clothing and Accessories: Leather was often used for making garments and accessories. John the Baptist is described as wearing clothing made of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist. This attire is noted in the Gospels as a symbol of his prophetic role and ascetic lifestyle. In
Matthew 3:4 , it states, "John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey."
2.
Footwear: Sandals, a common form of footwear in biblical times, were often made of leather. The durability of leather made it suitable for the harsh terrain of the region. In the Old Testament, God reminds the Israelites of His provision during their wilderness journey, noting that their sandals did not wear out (
Deuteronomy 29:5): "During the forty years I led you in the wilderness, neither your clothes nor the sandals on your feet wore out."
3.
Containers and Scrolls: Leather was also used for making containers, such as wineskins, which were essential for storing and transporting liquids. Jesus uses the imagery of wineskins in His teaching about the new covenant, as seen in
Matthew 9:17 : "Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will spill and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
4.
Religious Significance: Leather played a role in religious practices, particularly in the making of phylacteries (tefillin), which are small leather boxes containing Scripture passages. These were worn by observant Jews during prayer as a sign of devotion and obedience to God's commandments. In
Matthew 23:5 , Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their ostentatious display of piety: "All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels."
Symbolism and Cultural ContextLeather, as a material, symbolizes durability and resilience, qualities that were highly valued in the ancient world. Its use in clothing and accessories often denoted a practical and humble lifestyle, as seen in the example of John the Baptist. The use of leather in religious contexts, such as phylacteries, underscores its role in the expression of faith and adherence to tradition.
In the broader cultural context, leather was a valuable commodity, reflecting the skills of tanners and craftsmen who prepared and fashioned it into various items. The process of tanning itself was labor-intensive and required expertise, making leather goods prized possessions in biblical times.
Overall, the references to leathern items in the Bible highlight their functional and symbolic significance, providing insight into the daily life and spiritual practices of ancient peoples.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Made of leather; consisting of. leather; as, a leathern purse.
Greek
1193. dermatinos -- made of skin,leathern... made of skin,
leathern. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: dermatinos Phonetic
Spelling: (der-mat'-ee-nos) Short Definition: made of hide,
leathern...3148. mastix -- a whip, scourge
... Transliteration: mastix Phonetic Spelling: (mas'-tix) Short Definition: a scourge,
lash, sufferings Definition: (a) a scourge, lash, ofleathern thongs with...
779. askos -- a leather bottle, wineskin
... bottle, wineskin. From the same as askeo; aleathern (or skin) bag used as a
bottle -- bottle. see GREEK askeo. (askoi) -- 4 Occurrences....
Library
The Embalming of the Body of Jesus.
... The women had with them some largeleathern bottles and a vase filled with
water standing upon a coal fire. They gave the Blessed...
Letter Lxxxviii. (AD 406. )
... The documents sent are two: the one in aleathern envelope, with this title, "A
document of the Catholic Church containing charges against C??cilianus, and...
A People Prepared for the Lord
... had fallen into a condition of religious lethargy, when suddenly there stood in
their midst a man clothed with camel's hair, and with aleathern girdle about...
Herod and John the Baptist
... I really think he must be one of the old prophets. Did you notice that his coat
was made of camel's hair, and that he had aleathern girdle round his loins?...
Baptism unto Repentance
... The Essenes wore white robes, emblematic of the purity they sought; whilst he
was content with his coat of camel's hair andleathern girdle....
The Census and the Journey of the Holy Family
... I saw Anna sending him out food when he was with the flocks and herds; there were
little loaves and fishes in aleathern wallet with several divisions in it....
The Beginning of the Gospel.
... And John was clothed with camel's hair, and had aleathern girdle about his loins,
and did eat locusts and wild honey." Mark 1:1-6 (RV) THE opening of St....
A Bottle in the Smoke
... This we will supply to our hearers and readers in the words of the Author of the
Pictorial Bible: "This doubtless refers to aleathern bottle, of kid or goat...
God's Cup of Myrrh
... But Henry Suso found that times were altered now. His reputation for sanctity
disappeared with hisleathern gloves and his belt and cross....
The Knight of God
... and He commanded him to cease from his tortures, and to leave it to God to teach
him a more excellent way." Thereupon he cast hisleathern gloves, and his shirt...
Thesaurus
Leathern (2 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Made of leather; consisting of. leather; as, a
leathern purse. Multi-Version Concordance
Leathern (2 Occurrences).
...Potter (14 Occurrences)
... The evaporation of the water which oozes through the porous material cools down
the contents of a jar, whereas a metal orleathern vessel would leave it tepid...
Pottery (11 Occurrences)
... The evaporation of the water which oozes through the porous material cools down
the contents of a jar, whereas a metal orleathern vessel would leave it tepid...
Leather (34 Occurrences)
Nourishment (14 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:4 And John himself had his garment of camel's hair, and aleathern girdle
about his loins, and his nourishment was locusts and wild honey. (DBY YLT)....
Leather-worker (3 Occurrences)
Leather-worker.Leathern, Leather-worker. Leave . Multi-Version Concordance...
(BBE).Leathern, Leather-worker. Leave . Reference Bible.
Loins (72 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and aleathern
girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey....
Girdle (44 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and aleathern
girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey....
Wine-skins (7 Occurrences)
... Job 32:19); askos (Matthew 9:17 Mark 2:22 Luke 5:37; compare askoputine, Judith
10:5, the Revised Version (British and American) "leathern bottle")): These...
Wineskins (7 Occurrences)
... Job 32:19); askos (Matthew 9:17 Mark 2:22 Luke 5:37; compare askoputine, Judith
10:5, the Revised Version (British and American) "leathern bottle")): These...
Resources
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