Dyeing

The art of dyeing is not mentioned in Scripture, but dyed stuffs are referred to in various passages, and hence it is altogether probable that dyeing was known to the Israelites. The coloured stud's mentioned are blue, purple, and scarlet ; these all occurring together in the description of the hangings of the tabernacle (Ex 26*"). It would seem tliat the yam was dyed before weaving (cf. Ex 35®), as we know wa.s the custom of the Egyptians (cf. Wilk. Atic. Kg. ii. p. 166, ed. 1878), from whom the Israelitish women may have acquired the art. The Egj'ptians were certainly ac<iuainted with the art of dyeing by the use of cnemic.ils, though they may not have under- stood the chemical properties of the materials em- ployed (cf. Pliny, XXXV. 11, and Wilk. ii. 168, 109), ana the Hebrews no doubt knew something of it at the time of the Exodus. At a later period they may have learned from the Phoenicians the process of making the Tyriiin jmrple, so renowned among the ancients; but it is not probable that they produced it, as they could not readily procure the shell-fish used in its manufacture. "The purple of the taber- nacle, if made by the Hebrews, must have been obtaineil from other sources and by other methods. Purple occurs in I'r 31" as the clothing of the virtuous woman ; and as it stjinds in a long list of items of her handiwork, it may indicate tliat she knew how to make it. Scarlet was obtained by a process similar to that of purple, as we leam from Kenriek, Phosn. oh. viii., and Rawlinson, Phcen. ch. viii. Blue wa.s doubtless obtained from indigo, which was known to the Egyptians from their commerce with India (Wilk. ii. 164). See Colours. Bams' Bkina 'dyed' red (o'Qj^ d^'b n^i;) are mentioned in Ex 25'. This process the Hebrews could have learned also from the Egyptians (cf. Wilk. ii. 185). The art is still carried on in Syria, and large quantities of skins are tanned red for th« native shoes and saddles. H. Pobtkb.