Topical Encyclopedia
Sheepskins, the tanned hides of sheep, hold a significant place in biblical history and symbolism. In the ancient Near East, sheepskins were commonly used for clothing, bedding, and various other practical purposes. The Bible references sheepskins in contexts that highlight both their practical uses and their symbolic meanings.
Biblical ReferencesIn the New Testament, the Epistle to the Hebrews mentions sheepskins in a passage that reflects on the trials and tribulations faced by the faithful.
Hebrews 11:37 states, "They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated." This verse is part of a larger passage that honors the faith and endurance of the prophets and other righteous individuals who suffered for their beliefs. The mention of sheepskins here underscores the humility and deprivation experienced by these faithful servants of God.
Symbolism and SignificanceSheepskins, as mentioned in Hebrews, symbolize the austere and humble lifestyle of those who chose to follow God's path despite facing severe persecution. The use of sheepskins and goatskins as clothing indicates a life stripped of luxury and comfort, reflecting a commitment to spiritual rather than material wealth. This imagery serves to remind believers of the sacrifices made by those who came before them and encourages them to remain steadfast in their faith.
In a broader biblical context, sheep and their byproducts, including sheepskins, are often associated with themes of sacrifice, purity, and pastoral care. Sheep were central to the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, symbolizing innocence and atonement. The imagery of the Good Shepherd, as seen in passages like
John 10:11, where Jesus declares, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep," further enriches the symbolic significance of sheep and their skins.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn the ancient world, sheepskins were valued for their durability and warmth. They were used not only for clothing but also for making tents, bags, and other essential items. The process of tanning and preparing sheepskins was a skilled craft, and these items were integral to daily life in biblical times.
The use of sheepskins by the prophets and other faithful individuals, as mentioned in Hebrews, reflects a broader cultural practice of utilizing available resources for survival and modest living. This practice is consistent with the biblical theme of reliance on God's provision and the rejection of worldly excess.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not extensively detail the use of sheepskins, their mention in
Hebrews 11:37 provides a poignant illustration of the hardships endured by the faithful. Sheepskins serve as a symbol of humility, sacrifice, and unwavering faith, resonating with the broader biblical narrative of devotion to God amidst adversity.
Greek
3374. melote -- a sheepskin... Word Origin from melon (a sheep or goat) Definition a sheepskin NASB Word Usage
sheepskins (1). sheepskin. From melon (a sheep); a sheep-skin -- sheepskin.
...Library
ecce Iterum Crispinus!'
... They are old, but astonishingly tall, and look gaunt, wretched, and half-starved.
They are dressed only in whitesheepskins and sandals....
By the Wayside
... From the low-growing limbs of a couple of gnarly cedars, old Momus had stretched
thesheepskins which Joseph, the shepherd, had given them....
Faith and Courage.
... They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword:
they wandered about insheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted...
The Child Samuel.
... Before long they saw the tabernacle on the hill of Shiloh, with its broad tent-roof
of redsheepskins, as well as the hundreds of little black tents of the...
Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
... They were stoned; they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword;
they wandered about insheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted...
A Cloud of Witnesses.
... bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted,
they were slain with the sword: they went about insheepskins, in goatskins...
The Prince Returns
... All night the man on thesheepskins spoke to the blackened thatch above him of
the siege of Jerusalem and the treachery of Julian of Ephesus....
The Security of the Church
... Into every nation of the earth have they wandered; insheepskins and goatskins have
they been clothed; their houses have been in the rocks and their sleeping...
Distinguishing Grace
... They are not walking about insheepskins and goatskins, persecuted, afflicted, and
tormented; but still they are hungry, and no man gives them to eat; they are...
Manasseh and Josiah
... of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted,
were slain with the sword: they wandered about insheepskins and goatskins...
Thesaurus
Sheepskins (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Sheepskins (7 Occurrences).
... Exodus 25:5 And
sheepskins coloured red, and leather, and hard wood; (BBE).
...Leather (34 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 25:5 Andsheepskins coloured red, and leather, and hard wood; (BBE)....
Exodus 35:7 Andsheepskins coloured red, and leather, and hard wood, (BBE)....
Coloured (21 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 25:5 Andsheepskins coloured red, and leather, and hard wood; (BBE)....
Exodus 35:7 Andsheepskins coloured red, and leather, and hard wood, (BBE)....
Goatskins (8 Occurrences)
... Ascetics of different religions, especially of the Moslem sects, are frequently
seen going about Syria and Palestine today, clad insheepskins or goatskins, a...
Killing (41 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:37 they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tried; in the
killing of the sword they died; they went about insheepskins, in goatskins...
Knives (12 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were cut up with knives, they were tested,
they were put to death with the sword, they went about insheepskins and in...
Goats (134 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain
with the sword: they wandered about insheepskins and goatskins; being...
Wandered (29 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain
with the sword: they wandered about insheepskins and goatskins; being...
Injuriously (13 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:37 they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tried; in the
killing of the sword they died; they went about insheepskins, in goatskins...
Tormented (17 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain
with the sword: they wandered about insheepskins and goatskins; being...
Resources
What is the significance of sheep in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about prosperity? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Micaiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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