Fabric, in the context of the Bible, refers to the materials and textiles used in the construction of garments, tents, and other items essential to daily life in ancient times. The Bible provides numerous references to various types of fabric, highlighting their significance in both practical and symbolic terms.

Types of Fabric

1. Linen: Linen is one of the most frequently mentioned fabrics in the Bible. It was made from the flax plant and was highly valued for its quality and durability. Linen was often used for priestly garments, as seen in Exodus 28:39: "You are to weave the tunic with fine linen, make the turban of fine linen, and fashion an embroidered sash." Linen's purity and whiteness symbolized holiness and righteousness.

2. Wool: Wool, derived from sheep, was another common fabric. It was used for everyday clothing and was known for its warmth and comfort. The prohibition against mixing wool and linen in garments, as stated in Deuteronomy 22:11, "Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together," underscores the importance of maintaining distinctiveness and purity in the Israelites' lives.

3. Silk: Although not as commonly mentioned, silk was known in biblical times and was considered a luxury item. Proverbs 31:22 describes the virtuous woman: "She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple," indicating the use of fine and costly materials.

4. Sackcloth: Sackcloth was a coarse, rough fabric made from goat's hair, often worn as a sign of mourning or repentance. In Jonah 3:6, the king of Nineveh dons sackcloth as a symbol of humility and contrition: "When word reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes."

Symbolic Uses of Fabric

Fabric in the Bible often carries symbolic meanings. For instance, the tearing of garments was a traditional expression of grief or distress, as seen in Genesis 37:34 when Jacob mourns for Joseph: "Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned for his son many days."

The Tabernacle and Temple also featured fabrics of significant symbolic importance. The veil of the Temple, made of fine linen and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the sanctuary (Exodus 26:31). Its tearing at the moment of Jesus' death (Matthew 27:51) symbolized the new access to God made possible through Christ.

Cultural and Economic Significance

Fabric production and trade were vital components of the ancient economy. The Proverbs 31 woman is praised for her industriousness in making and selling linen garments (Proverbs 31:24). The trade of textiles, including the famous "purple" dye from Tyre, was a significant economic activity, as noted in Acts 16:14, where Lydia, a seller of purple goods, is mentioned.

In summary, fabric in the Bible is not only a practical necessity but also a rich symbol of cultural, religious, and economic life. Its various forms and uses reflect the values and beliefs of the biblical world, providing insight into the daily lives and spiritual practices of its people.1. (n.) The structure of anything; the manner in which the parts of a thing are united; workmanship; texture; make; as cloth of a beautiful fabric.

2. (n.) That which is fabricated

3. (n.) Framework; structure; edifice; building.

4. (n.) Cloth of any kind that is woven or knit from fibers, either vegetable or animal; manufactured cloth; as, silks or other fabrics.

5. (n.) The act of constructing; construction.

6. (n.) Any system or structure consisting of connected parts; as, the fabric of the universe.

7. (v. t.) To frame; to build; to construct.

4596. serikos -- silk.
... silk. From Ser (an Indian tribe from whom silk was procured; hence the name of the
silk-worm); Seric, ie Silken (neuter as noun, a silky fabric) -- silk. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4596.htm - 6k

5115. toxon -- a bow
... word Definition a bow NASB Word Usage bow (1). a bow. From the base of tikto; a
bow (apparently as the simplest fabric) -- bow. see GREEK tikto. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5115.htm - 6k

4161. poiema -- a work
... workmanship. From poieo; a product, ie Fabric (literally or figuratively) -- thing
that is made, workmanship. see GREEK poieo. (poiema) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4161.htm - 6k

4545. masseketh -- fabric on a loom
... 4544, 4545. masseketh. 4546 . fabric on a loom. Transliteration: masseketh
Phonetic Spelling: (mas-seh'-keth) Short Definition: web. ...
/hebrew/4545.htm - 6k

1833. demesheq -- perhaps silk
... in Damascus. By orthographical variation from Dammeseq; damask (as a fabric of Damascus)
-- in Damascus. see HEBREW Dammeseq. 1832, 1833. demesheq. 1834 . ...
/hebrew/1833.htm - 6k

713. argaman -- purple, red-purple
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition purple, red-purple NASB Word Usage
purple (36), purple fabric (1), purple threads (1). purple. ...
/hebrew/713.htm - 6k

2793. choresh -- wood, wooded height
... bough, forest, shroud, wood. From charash; a forest (perhaps as furnishing the material
for fabric) -- bough, forest, shroud, wood. see HEBREW charash. ...
/hebrew/2793.htm - 6k

6247. esheth -- plate
... Word Origin from ashath Definition plate NASB Word Usage carved (1). bright. From
ashath; a fabric -- bright. see HEBREW ashath. 6246, 6247. esheth. 6248 . ...
/hebrew/6247.htm - 6k

The Whole Fabric of Gentilism Levelled at a Blow by Christ ...
... On the Incarnation of the Word. Section 53. The whole fabric of Gentilism levelled
at a blow by Christ secretly addressing the conscience of Man. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 53 the whole fabric.htm

Introductory Notice to the Decretals.
... That swelling arch of vanity once reared, the framework might be knocked out; but
the fabric stood, and has borne up every weight imposed upon it for ages. ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/introductory notice to the decretals.htm

But Unbelievers Cry, "How Can the Flesh, which Has Been Putrified ...
... that you do not believe it possible for the scattered dust of which each man's flesh
was composed to be re-collected and restored to its own original fabric? ...
/.../42 but unbelievers cry how.htm

Symbolism of the Church Building
... This was not only the most ornamental form of structure; it was much more: it made
the very fabric of the church the symbol of our faith in Christ crucified. ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/symbolism of the church building.htm

The Missing Factor in Current Theories
... out of focus. Fix upon the wrong "part," and the instability of the fabric
built upon it is a foregone conclusion. Now, although ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/ii the missing factor in.htm

The Creation
... he would never imagine that they could build themselves, but that there had been
some artificer to raise such goodly structures; so this great fabric of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/13 the creation.htm

How to Work the Work of God
... On trust the whole fabric of human society depends, as well as in another aspect
of the same expression does the whole fabric of Manchester commerce. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/how to work the work.htm

The Surprising Jew.
... Jesus is God's organizer of the social fabric of the world. In response
to His presence and touch, each in his own place will swing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the surprising jew.htm

The Sacrifice of the Body
... In the former part of this letter the Apostle has been building up a massive fabric
of doctrine, which has stood the waste of centuries, and the assaults of ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the sacrifice of the body.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xix. 28, "Come unto Me, all Ye ...
... 2. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me;" [2309] not to raise the fabric of the
world, not to create all things visible and invisible, not in the world so ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xix on the words.htm

Fabric (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The structure of anything; the manner in which the parts of a thing are
united; workmanship; texture; make; as cloth of a beautiful fabric. ...
/f/fabric.htm - 9k

Blanket (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A heavy, loosely woven fabric, usually of wool, and having a nap, used in
bed clothing; also, a similar fabric used as a robe; or any fabric used as a ...
/b/blanket.htm - 7k

Knit (11 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To form, as a textile fabric, by the interlacing of yarn or thread in a
series of connected loops, by means of needles, either by hand or by machinery ...
/k/knit.htm - 10k

Network (19 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A coalition of various organizations; a fabric of threads, cords, or wires
crossing at certain intervals, and knotted or secured at the crossings, thus ...
/n/network.htm - 14k

Union (24 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A textile fabric composed of two or more materials, as cotton, silk,
wool, etc., woven together. 5. (n.) A large, fine pearl. ...
/u/union.htm - 15k

Lace (7 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A fabric of fine threads of linen, silk, cotton, etc., often ornamented
with figures; a delicate tissue of thread, much worn as an ornament of dress. ...
/l/lace.htm - 10k

Gossamer (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A fine, flimsy, sheer fabric or substance, like
cobwebs, floating in the air, in calm, clear weather, especially in autumn. ...
/g/gossamer.htm - 7k

Weave (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To unite, as threads of any kind, in such a manner as to form a texture;
to entwine or interlace into a fabric; as, to weave wool, silk, etc.; hence ...
/w/weave.htm - 8k

Weaving (4 Occurrences)
... darning. The hole to be darned is laid over with parallel threads which
correspond to the "warp" (shethi) of a woven fabric. Then ...
/w/weaving.htm - 17k

Frame (33 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) Anything composed of parts fitted and united together; a fabric; a structure;
esp., the constructional system, whether of timber or metal, that gives ...
/f/frame.htm - 19k

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