weaving Summary and Overview

The art of weaving appears to be coeval with the first dawning of civilization. We find it practiced with great skill by the Egyptians at a very early period; The vestures of fine linen" such as Joseph wore, #Ge 41:42| were the product of Egyptian looms. The Israelites were probably acquainted with the process before their sojourn in Egypt; but it was undoubtedly there that they attained the proficiency which enabled them to execute the hangings of the tabernacle, #Ex 35:35; 1Ch 4:21| and other artistic textures. The Egyptian loom was usually upright, and the weaver stood at his work. The cloth was fixed sometimes at the top, sometimes at the bottom. The modern Arabs use a procumbent loom, raised above the ground by short legs. The textures produced by the Jewish weavers were very various. The coarser kinds, such tent-cloth, sack-cloth and the "hairy garments" of the poor, were made goat's or camel's hair. #Ex 26:7; Mt 3:4| Wool was extensively used for ordinary clothing, #Le 13:47; Pr 27:26; 31:13; Eze 27:18| while for finer work flax was used, varying in quality, and producing the different textures described in the Bible as "linen" and "fine linen." The mixture of wool and flax in cloth intended for a garment was interdicted. #Le 19:19; De 22:11|

(See LINEN.) The "fine linen" of Joseph (Genesis 41:42) accords with existing specimens of Egyptian weaving equal to the finest cambric. The Israelites learned from the Egyptians the art, and so could weave the tabernacle curtains (Exodus 35:35). In Isaiah 19:9 Gesenius translated choral (from chur, "white") "they that weave white cloth," for "networks" (Esther 1:6; Esther 8:15). The Tyrians got from Egypt their "fine linen with embroidered work" for sails (Ezekiel 27:7). Men wove anciently (1 Chronicles 4:21); latterly females (1 Samuel 2:19; Proverbs 31:13; Proverbs 31:19; Proverbs 31:24). The Egyptian loom was upright, and the weaver stood. Jesus' seamless coat was woven "from the top" (John 19:23). In Leviticus 13:48 the "warp" and "woof" are not parts of woven cloth, but yarn prepared for warp and yarn prepared for woof.

The speed of the shuttle, the decisive cutting of the web from the thrum when the web is complete, symbolize the rapid passing away of life and its being cut off at a stroke (Job 7:6; Isaiah 38:12); each day, like the weaver's shuttle, leaves a thread behind. Textures with gold thread interwoven (Psalm 45:13) were most valuable. The Babylonians wove men and animals on robes; Achan appropriated such a "goodly Babylonish garment" (Joshua 7:21). Sacerdotal garments were woven without seam (Josephus, Ant. 3:7, section 4); so Jesus' "coat without seam" (John 19:23)was appropriately sacerdotal, as He was at once the Priest and the sacrifice.