Topical Encyclopedia
Silk, a luxurious and highly valued fabric, is mentioned several times in the Bible, symbolizing wealth, opulence, and sometimes moral decay. The production and use of silk in biblical times were associated with the affluent and powerful, reflecting its status as a precious commodity.
Biblical References:1.
Ezekiel 16:10, 13 : In this passage, God describes His lavish care for Jerusalem, personified as a woman adorned with fine clothing. "I clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of fine leather on your feet. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk." This imagery highlights silk as a symbol of divine blessing and prosperity, illustrating the abundance and beauty bestowed upon Jerusalem.
2.
Proverbs 31:22 : The virtuous woman described in Proverbs is said to make coverings for her bed and is clothed in "fine linen and purple." While silk is not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the context of fine fabrics and luxurious colors suggests a similar level of wealth and refinement.
3.
Revelation 18:12 : In the lament over the fall of Babylon, silk is listed among the many luxurious goods that will no longer be available: "cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth; of all kinds of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble." Here, silk represents the opulence and materialism of a society that has turned away from God.
Cultural and Historical Context:Silk production originated in China, and by the time of the biblical narratives, it had become a highly sought-after material in the ancient Near East. The Silk Road facilitated the trade of silk from the East to the Mediterranean, making it accessible to the wealthy elite of biblical lands. The rarity and expense of silk made it a status symbol, often reserved for royalty and the upper classes.
Symbolism and Interpretation:In the Bible, silk often symbolizes wealth, luxury, and sometimes the moral corruption associated with excessive materialism. The use of silk in biblical imagery serves to contrast the temporal, earthly riches with the eternal, spiritual riches offered by God. The luxurious nature of silk garments can also be seen as a metaphor for the righteousness and beauty bestowed upon believers by God's grace.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, the mention of silk in the Bible can be seen as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly wealth and the importance of prioritizing spiritual over material riches. The luxurious fabric serves as a metaphor for the divine care and provision that God offers to His people, as well as a caution against the dangers of material excess and idolatry.
In summary, silk in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol, representing both the blessings of divine provision and the potential pitfalls of material wealth. Its presence in Scripture invites reflection on the balance between enjoying God's gifts and maintaining a focus on spiritual values.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
SilkThe only undoubted notice of silk in the Bible occurs in (Revelation 18:12) where it is mentioned among the treasures of the typical Babylon. It is however, in the highest degree probable that the texture was known to the Hebrews from the time that their commercial relations were extended by Solomon. The well-known classical name of the substance does not occur in the Hebrew language.
ATS Bible Dictionary
SilkIn the time of the Ptolemies, came to Greece and Rome from the far east of China, etc., by the way of Alexandria, and was sold for its weight in gold. It sometimes came in the form of skeins, and was woven into a light and thin gauze. It is mentioned inRevelation 18:12, and probably inEzekiel 16:10,13. InGenesis 41:42 andProverbs 31:22, the word rendered silk in our version is the same that is elsewhere correctly rendered fine linen. It is not known how early or extensively the Jews used it.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Hebrews demeshek, "damask," silk cloth manufactured at Damascus,
Amos 3:12. A.V., "in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch;" R.V., "in the corner of a couch, and on the silken cushions of a bed" (marg., "in Damascus on a bed").
Hebrews meshi, (Ezek. 16:10, 13, rendered "silk"). InGenesis 41:42 (marg. A.V.),Proverbs 31:22 (R.V., "fine linen"), the word "silk" ought to be "fine linen."
Silk was common in New Testament times (Revelation 18:12).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The fine, soft thread produced by various species of caterpillars in forming the cocoons within which the worm is enclosed during the pupa state, especially that produced by the larvae of Bombyx mori.
2. (n.) Hence, thread spun, or cloth woven, from the above-named material.
3. (n.) That which resembles silk, as the filiform styles of the female flower of maize.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SILK; SILKWORMsilk'-wurm ((1) meshi (Ezekiel 16:10, 13), perhaps from mashah, "to draw" "to extract" compare Arabic masa' of same meaning; Septuagint trichapton, "woven of hair"; (2) serikon (Revelation 18:12); (31 shesh; compare Arabic shash, a thin cotton material; (4) buts; compare Arabic 'abyad, "white," from bad; (5) bussos, "fine linen," later used of cotton and silk): The only undoubted reference to silk in the Bible is the passage cited from Revelation, where it is mentioned among the merchandise of Babylon. Serikon, "silk," is from Ser, the Greek name of China, whence silk was first obtained. The equivalent Latin sericum occurs frequently in classical authors, and is found in the Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) (Esther 8:15) for buts, "fine linen." For buts, bussos, and shesh English Versions of the Bible has nearly always "fine linen," but for shesh inProverbs 31:22, the King James Version has "silk," and inGenesis 41:42 andExodus 25:4, the King James Version margin has "silk" and the Revised Version margin has "cotton."
SeeLINEN;FINE.
There can be little doubt of the correctness of English Versions of the Bible "silk" for meshi inEzekiel 16:10, "I girded thee about with fine linen (shesh), and' covered thee with silk (meshi)," and in the similar passage,Ezekiel 16:13.
Silk is produced by all Lepidoptera, butterflies and moths, but it is of great economic importance only in the Chinese silkworm, Bombyx mori, whose larva, a yellowish-white caterpillar from 2 to 3 in. long, feeds on the leaves of the mulberry (Morus). A pair of large glands on the two sides of the stomach secrete a viscous fluid, which is conveyed by ducts to an orifice under the mouth. On issuing into the air, the fine stream is hardened into the silk fiber, which the caterpillar spins into a cocoon. Within the cocoon the caterpillar is presently transformed into the chrysalis or pupa. The cocoons from which silk is to be spun are subjected to heat which kills the pupae and prevents them from being transformed into the perfect insects or moths, which would otherwise damage the cocoons as they made their exit.
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. It was introduced to the Mediterranean region from China a few centuries after Christ. Coarse silk is produced from the Chinese oak silk-moth, Saturnia pernyi, and from the Japanese oak silk-moth, Saturnia yama-mai. The largest moth of Syria and Palestine is Saturnia pyri, from which silk has also been spun, but not commercially.
See , further, WEAVING.
Alfred Ely Day
Greek
4596. serikos --silk....silk. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: serikos Phonetic Spelling:
(say-ree-kos') Short Definition: silken Definition: silken,
silk.
...silk.
...4617b. sirikos -- Seric, iesilk.
... 4617a, 4617b. sirikos. 4618 . Seric, iesilk. Transliteration: sirikos
Short Definition:silk. Word Origin from serikos; from Ser...
Strong's Hebrew
4897. meshi -- (costly material for garments) perhapssilk... 4896, 4897. meshi. 4898 . (costly material for garments) perhaps
silk.
Transliteration: meshi Phonetic Spelling: (meh'-shee) Short Definition:
silk.
...1833. demesheq -- perhapssilk
... 1832, 1833. demesheq. 1834 . perhapssilk. Transliteration: demesheq
Phonetic Spelling: (dem-eh'-shek) Short Definition: cover....
8336. shesh -- byssus
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition byssus NASB Word Usage fine linen (16),
fine...linen (21), finely...linen (1). blue, fine twined linen, marble,silk....
Library
Personal Notes: Relics Nearby that the Three Kings had Given to...
... in his house in what might certainly be described as little bundles', she opened
one of these at once and identified a little piece of dark redsilk as part of...
The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... and a robe of different colors. There were also two wreaths ofsilk and
wool, and an arched crown. One of the priests himself cut...
Quaker City Excursion
... A bright, welcoming smile lit up her face. Her dress was white foulard
silk, dotted with blue and richly trimmed with blue satin....
Continues the Same Subject: Explains the Prayer of Union by a...
... You have heard how wonderfullysilk is made"in a way such as God alone could
plan"how it all comes from an egg resembling a tiny pepper-corn....
Of the Loving Fear of Spouses; a Continuation of the Same Subject.
... see, Theotimus, an honourable lady who, not willing to eat her bread idle, any more
than she did whom Solomon so much extolled, [553] will laysilk in goodly...
Arrangement and Furniture of the Church
... To these custom has added other convenient and seemly appointments of linen
andsilk. The "chalice veil" is a square ofsilk, embroidered...
Marriage of the Blessed virgin to Joseph
... This was made of whitesilk with gold flowers: it was half a yard wide,
and was set with pearls and shining jewels at the breast....
Change not Always Improvement.
... What sort of being the said Hercules was in Omphale'ssilk, the description
of Omphale in Hercules' hide has inferentially depicted....
Devout Customs and Usages
... "The Stole is a strip ofsilk about three inches wide and eight and a half
feet long, with ends ornamented by embroidery and fringed....
Ancient Civilisation {5} {6}
... If you assert with the old proverb, that you may make asilk purse out of a sow's
ear, you will be stupider than I dare suppose anyone here to be, if you...
Thesaurus
Silk (4 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary Hebrews demeshek, "damask,"
silk cloth manufactured at
Damascus, Amos 3:12.
... Hebrews meshi, (Ezek. 16:10, 13, rendered "
silk").
...Silkworm
... (n.) The larva of any one of numerous species of bombycid moths, which spins a large
amount of strongsilk in constructing its cocoon before...SILK; SILKWORM....
Damask (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Damasksilk;silk woven with an elaborate
pattern of flowers and the like. 2. (n.) Linen so woven...
Cocoon (1 Occurrence)
... It is formed of threads ofsilk spun by the worm just before leaving the
larval state. From these thesilk of commerce is prepared....
Costly (26 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:12 cargoes of gold and silver, of jewels and pearls, of fine linen,
purple andsilk, and of scarlet stuff; all kinds of rare woods, and all kinds...
Byssus (40 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A cloth of exceedingly fine texture, used by the
ancients. It is disputed whether it was of cotton, linen, orsilk....
Fine (184 Occurrences)
... 8. (superl.) Thin; attenuate; keen; as, a fine edge. 9. (superl.) Made of
fine materials; light; delicate; as, fine linen orsilk. 10....
Gauze (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A very thin, slight, transparent stuff, generally ofsilk; also, any
fabric resemblingsilk gauze; as, wire gauze; cotton gauze....
Water (4571 Occurrences)
... Hence, of the first water, that is, of the first excellence. 6. (n.) A wavy, lustrous
pattern or decoration such as is imparted to linen,silk, metals, etc....
Insects (17 Occurrences)
... creeping thing, cricket, crimson, flea, fly, gnat, grasshopper, honey, hornet, locust,
louse, (lice), moth, palmer-worm, sandfly, scarlet-worm,silk-worm....
Resources
What is a prayer shawl? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Damascus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of a kippah / yarmulke? | GotQuestions.orgSilk: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
