Wool
tsemer ("wool"), and gez ("fleece") meaning "shearing". Mesha's tribute to Israel (2Ki 3:4). A firstfruit to the priests (Deu 18:4). Symbolizing purity and whiteness (Isa 1:18, "shall be as wool" restored to its original undyed whiteness; Dan 7:9; Rev 1:14). Snow is compared to it (Psa 147:16).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Wool
Wool wool (tsemer; erion): Wool and flax were the fibers most used by the ancient weavers. Wool was used principally for the outside garments (Le 13:48 ff; Pr 31:13; Eze 34:3; Ho 2:5,9). Syrian wool is found on the world's markets today, but it is not rated as first quality, partly because it is so contaminated with thorns, straw and other foreign matter which become entangled with the wool while the sheep are wandering over the barren, rocky mountain sides in search of food. Extensive pastures are almost unknown. ⇒See a list of verses on WOOL in the Bible. Two kinds of wool are sold: (1) That obtained by shearing. This is removed from the animal as far as possible in one piece or fleece usually without previous washing. The fleeces are gathered in bales and carried to a washing-place, which is usually one of the stony river beds, with but a small stream flowing through it during the summer. The river bed is chosen because the rocks are clean and free from little sticks or straw which would cling to the washed wool. The purchaser of this washed wool submits it to a further washing wi…
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible on Wool
Wool was an important article of commerce (2 K V [part of the tribute of king Mksha], Ezk 27"), and woollen fabrics formed a representative element in Oriental wealth (Mt 6", Ja 5*). It was also an indication of social rank (Mt 11', Lk 7'-=^). The soft raiment (ra /^oXa/cd) worn in kings' houses was not the rough homespun of the shepherd's cloiik, but prob. like the close smooth- faced broadcloth still woven in the East, with native dyes in grey-blue, moss-green, and various brown and purple tones. Until recently the emirs of the Lebanon proiiibited the pea-santry from wcarin" such cloth. A many-folded Oriental suit of woollen cloth must have always been costly, and in modern use it is kept for high family occasions and religious festivals. Esau's 'goodly' garment was under his mother's personal charge (arx ■ex Gn 27"), and Tyrian cloth was valuable enough to be stored up as an ancestral heirloom (p'ni; Is 2,3"). (;re!it care had to be taken to protect woollen cloth from the ravages of moths (Is 50", Lk 12''). In Is 51' mention is made both of the moth {dii'dsh, Arab, 'uththn/i) and…
Smith's Bible Dictionary on Wool
was an article of the highest value among the Jews, as the staple material for the manufacture of clothing. (Leviticus 13:47; 22:11; Job 31:20; Proverbs 31:13; Ezekiel 34:3; Hosea 2:5) The importance of wool is incidentally shown by the notice that Mesha’s tribute was paid in a certain number of rams “with the wool.” (2 Kings 3:1) The wool of Damascus was highly prized in the mart of Tyre. (Ezekiel 27:18)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia