Topical Encyclopedia
Yarn, a spun thread used for knitting, weaving, or sewing, is mentioned in the Bible primarily in the context of the construction of the Tabernacle and the garments of the priests. The use of yarn in biblical times reflects the skill and artistry involved in creating sacred items and clothing, as well as the importance of textiles in ancient Israelite culture.
Biblical References:1.
Exodus 35:25-26: "Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple, or scarlet yarn, or fine linen. And all the skilled women whose hearts were stirred spun the goat hair." This passage highlights the role of women in the community who contributed their skills in spinning yarn for the construction of the Tabernacle. The use of specific colors—blue, purple, and scarlet—indicates the significance of these materials in the worship and service of God.
2.
Exodus 39:1: "From the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, they made woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary. They also made sacred garments for Aaron, as the LORD had commanded Moses." The yarn was not only used for the Tabernacle but also for the priestly garments, signifying the holiness and set-apart nature of the priesthood. The colors used were symbolic, with blue often representing divinity, purple royalty, and scarlet sacrifice.
3.
Proverbs 31:13: "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands." While not directly mentioning yarn, this verse from the description of the virtuous woman in
Proverbs 31 implies the process of spinning wool and flax into yarn. It underscores the industriousness and skill of the woman, who contributes to her household through her handiwork.
Cultural and Religious Significance:In ancient Israel, the production of yarn was a labor-intensive process that required skill and dedication. The spinning of yarn was typically done by women, who played a crucial role in the preparation of materials for both everyday use and sacred purposes. The specific mention of colors in the biblical text suggests that these yarns were dyed using natural substances, a practice that required additional expertise.
The use of yarn in the construction of the Tabernacle and the garments of the priests underscores the importance of beauty and craftsmanship in worship. The detailed instructions given by God to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle and the making of priestly garments reflect the care and precision required in creating items for divine service. The colors and materials used were not arbitrary but were chosen to convey theological truths and to honor God.
Symbolism:The colors of the yarn—blue, purple, and scarlet—carry deep symbolic meanings within the biblical narrative. Blue is often associated with the heavens and divinity, purple with royalty and kingship, and scarlet with sacrifice and atonement. These colors, woven into the fabric of the Tabernacle and the priestly garments, served as constant reminders of God's presence, authority, and the need for atonement.
In summary, yarn in the Bible is more than just a material; it is a symbol of the community's devotion, skill, and the intricate beauty of worship. The careful preparation and use of yarn in sacred contexts highlight the importance of offering one's best to God and the role of artistry in expressing faith.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
YarnThe notice of yarn is contained in an extremely obscure passage in (1 Kings 10:28;2 Chronicles 1:16) The Hebrew Received Text is questionable. Gesenius gives the sense of "number" as applying equally to the merchants and the horses: "A band of the king's merchants bought a drove (of horses) at a price."
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Found only in
1 Kings 10:28,
2 Chronicles 1:16. The Hebrews word mikveh, i.e., "a stringing together," so rendered, rather signifies a host, or company, or a string of horses. The Authorized Version has: "And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price;" but the Revised Version correctly renders: "And the horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt; the king's merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Spun wool; woolen thread; also, thread of other material, as of cotton, flax, hemp, or silk; material spun and prepared for use in weaving, knitting, manufacturing sewing thread, or the like.
2. (n.) One of the threads of which the strands of a rope are composed.
3. (n.) A story told by a sailor for the amusement of his companions; a story or tale; as, to spin a yarn.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
YARNyarn.
SeeLINEN;SPINNING; WEAVING.
Strong's Hebrew
330. etuwn -- thread,yarn... 329, 330. etuwn. 330a . thread,
yarn. Transliteration: etuwn Phonetic
Spelling: (ay-toon') Short Definition: linen. fine linen From
...4299. matveh -- that which is spun,yarn
... 4298, 4299. matveh. 4300 . that which is spun,yarn. Transliteration:
matveh Phonetic Spelling: (mat-veh') Short Definition: spun....
330a. etun -- thread,yarn
... etun. 330b . thread,yarn. Transliteration: etun Short Definition: linens. Word
Origin from atam Definition thread,yarn NASB Word Usage linens (1). 330, 330a...
4723. miqveh -- a hope
... a hope. Transliteration: miqveh Phonetic Spelling: (mik-veh') Short Definition:
abiding. abiding, gathering together, hope, linenyarn, plenty of water, pool...
906. bad -- white linen
... linen. Perhaps from badad (in the sense of divided fibres); flaxen thread oryarn;
hence, a linen garment -- linen. see HEBREW badad. 905, 906. bad. 907 ....
235. azal -- to go
... Ezek. 27:19 the word is rendered by many "from Uzal," by others "yarn"), be
gone (spent). 234, 235. azal. 236 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Events During the War
... At that time, flour cost [USD]10.00 and upward, a barrel, calico from 35 to 45 cents
a yard, and cottonyarn from [USD]9.00 to [USD]11.00 a bunch....
An Old Subscription List
... but they had ten fingers and a distaff, and if some neighbour found the stuff, the
ten fingers joyfully set the distaff twirling, and spun theyarn for the...
His First Residence in Germany.
... English reader. John Yeardley says: Wilt thou not be surprised when I tell
thee that I am about to commenceyarn-bleaching? Thou mayst...
Wisdom and the Strange Woman
... I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, With striped cloths of theyarn
of Egypt; I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon....
Ezekiel's Discourse
... white wool. Vedan and Javan traded withyarn for thy wares: bright iron,
cassia, and calamus, were among thy merchandise. Dedan...
The Longbeards' Saga. AD 400
... men, Ambri and Assi; How to the Winilfolk Went they with war-words," 'Few are ye,
strangers, And many are we: Pay us now toll and fee, Cloth-yarn, and rings...
One Hank Over for the Candle.
... beacon failed not. Each night she spun so many hanks ofyarn for her daily
bread, and one hank over for the candle. She turned night...
Letter cxxviii. To Gaudentius.
... She must also learn to spin, shaping theyarn with her tender thumb; for, even if
she constantly breaks the threads, a day will come when she will no longer...
A Strong Man who Lost his Strength
... men lying in wait in the inner room, but when she said to him, "The Philistines
are upon you, Samson!" he snapped the bowstrings as a piece ofyarn is snapped...
Of their Cords.
... They also wear double scarves [651] woven of woollenyarn which the Greeks call
analaboi, but which we should name girdles [652] or strings, [653] or more...
Thesaurus
Yarn (37 Occurrences)... The Authorized Version has: "And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen
yarn: the king's merchants received the linen
yarn at a price;" but the
...Linen-yarn
Linen-yarn. Linenyarn, Linen-yarn. Lines . Easton's Bible Dictionary (see
YARN.). Linenyarn, Linen-yarn. Lines . Reference Bible.
Thrum (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Any coarseyarn; an unraveled strand of rope. 3. (n.) A threadlike part
of a flower; a stamen.... 5. (n.) A mat made of canvas and tufts ofyarn....
Reel (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A frame with radial arms, or a kind of spool, turning on an axis, on which
yarn, threads, lines, or the like, are wound; as, a log reel, used by seamen...
Spindle (2 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A long and slender stalk resembling a spindle. 8. (n.) Ayarn measure
containing, in cottonyarn, 15,120 yards; in linenyarn, 14,400 yards....
Vedan (1 Occurrence)
... ve'-dan (wedhan): A place-name occurring only in Ezekiel 27:19, "Vedan and Javan
traded withyarn for thy wares." the King James Version, taking the syllable...
Knit (11 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To form, as a textile fabric, by the interlacing ofyarn or thread in a
series of connected loops, by means of needles, either by hand or by machinery...
Uzal (3 Occurrences)
... the Revised Version (British and American) reads, "Vedan and Javan traded withyarn
for thy wares." Here an obscure verbal form, me'uzzal, is taken to mean...
Worm (22 Occurrences)
... 19. (n.) To wind rope,yarn, or other material, spirally round, between the strands
of, as a cable; to wind with spunyarn, as a small rope. Int....
Worsted (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Well-twistedyarn spun of long-staple wool which has been combed to lay
the fibers parallel, used for carpets, cloth, hosiery, gloves, and the like....
Resources
What is the significance of pomegranates in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is hyssop? What was hyssop used for in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of a scarlet thread? | GotQuestions.orgYarn: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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