In biblical times, the concept of carpets as we understand them today was not prevalent. However, the use of woven materials for covering floors and other surfaces was known in ancient cultures, including those mentioned in the Bible. The term "carpet" does not appear explicitly in most English translations of the Bible, including the Berean Standard Bible , but the idea of woven or embroidered materials is present in various contexts.

Historical Context

Carpets, or similar woven materials, were likely used in the ancient Near East for practical and decorative purposes. These items would have been crafted from wool, flax, or other available fibers, and could be used as floor coverings, wall hangings, or even as part of tent structures. The craftsmanship involved in creating these textiles was highly valued, and such items could signify wealth and status.

Biblical References

While the Bible does not specifically mention carpets, it does refer to various textiles and woven materials. For example, in the construction of the Tabernacle, detailed instructions were given for the creation of curtains and coverings:

· Exodus 26:1 : "You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them."

These curtains, though not carpets, demonstrate the importance of woven materials in sacred spaces and their role in the worship practices of the Israelites.

Symbolism and Use

Woven materials, including those that might resemble carpets, often held symbolic significance. They could represent beauty, craftsmanship, and the glory of God. The use of rich colors and intricate designs in these textiles was a reflection of divine creativity and order.

In the account of Esther, the opulence of the Persian court is described, which may have included luxurious textiles:

· Esther 1:6 : "There were white and blue linen hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. Gold and silver couches stood on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones."

This description, while not explicitly mentioning carpets, suggests the presence of rich and decorative textiles that could have served similar purposes.

Cultural Significance

In the broader cultural context of the ancient Near East, carpets and similar textiles were significant in both domestic and ceremonial settings. They were used to enhance the beauty of homes and places of worship, and they played a role in hospitality, as guests would be welcomed into spaces adorned with such items.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not directly reference carpets, the use of woven materials is evident throughout the Scriptures. These textiles were integral to the cultural and religious life of the biblical world, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. The craftsmanship and beauty of these items reflect the values and aesthetics of ancient societies, as well as their reverence for the divine.1595. genez -- treasury, perhaps chests
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition treasury, perhaps chests NASB
Word Usage carpets (1), treasuries (2). chest, treasury. ...
/hebrew/1595.htm - 6k

4055. mad -- a measure, cloth garment
... Word Origin from madad Definition a measure, cloth garment NASB Word Usage armor
(2), attire* (1), carpets (1), cloak (1), clothes (1), garment (1), garments (1 ...
/hebrew/4055.htm - 6k

On Sleep.
... Magnificence of bed-clothes, gold-embroidered carpets, and smooth carpets worked
with gold, and long fine robes of purple, and costly fleecy cloaks, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/the instructor paedagogus/chap ix on sleep.htm

Talmage -- a Bloody Monster
... Daughter's jewelry sold to get flour! Carpets gone off the floor! Daughters in faded
and patched dresses! ... Rum sold the shawl. Rum tore up the carpets. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/talmage a bloody monster.htm

A Prince's Bride
... The old man shook his head and looked away to see a man-servant stagger out
under a load of splendid carpets. The old woman came close. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter i a princes bride.htm

The Burial and Assumption of the Blessed virgin
... live upon the land! Above the tomb they made a kind of tent-chapel with
carpets; it had wattle walls and roof. They built a little ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xix the burial and assumption.htm

The Holy Family in Bethlehem after the Departure of the Kings.
... in the center. Some of the three holy kings' beautiful carpets were spread
on the floor and table and hung on the walls. On the ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiv the holy family in.htm

The Day of Rejoicing
... The people thronged forth from the city to meet their exiled Patriarch, singing
hymns of rejoicing, waving branches of trees and throwing rich carpets upon the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 7 the day of.htm

The Boyhood of Jesus
... There are mats and carpets in the house, and a bright-coloured box with treasures
in it, and a painted wooden stool; and that is nearly all. ...
/.../anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter iii the boyhood of.htm

The Early Life of St. Joseph
... the gallery. Their sleeping places were carpets, rolled up against the
wall in the daytime and separated by removable screens. I ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/v the early life of.htm

Marriage of the Blessed virgin to Joseph
... The maidens employed themselves with embroidery and other forms of decoration of
carpets and vestments, and also with the cleaning of these vestments and of ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/vii marriage of the blessed.htm

Home and the Home-Maker.
... within a republic, a world within a world." Dr. Banks writes, "It is not granite
walls, or gaudy furniture, or splendid books, or soft carpets, or delicious ...
/.../questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/x home and the home-maker.htm

Carpets (3 Occurrences)
...Carpets (3 Occurrences). Judges 5:10 "Tell of it, you who ride on white donkeys,
you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way. (WEB ASV DBY NAS RSV) ...
/c/carpets.htm - 7k

Tapestry (3 Occurrences)
... TAPESTRY. tap'-es-tri (marebhaddim, from rabhadh, "to spread"): "Carpets
of tapestry" are mentioned in Proverbs 7:16; Proverbs 31:22. ...
/t/tapestry.htm - 7k

Carpet (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To cover with, or as with, a carpet; to spread with carpets; to furnish
with a carpet or carpets. Multi-Version Concordance Carpet (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/carpet.htm - 7k

Cloths (16 Occurrences)
... office. (KJV). Judges 5:10 Tell of it, ye that ride on white asses, Ye that
sit on rich carpets, And ye that walk by the way. (See JPS). ...
/c/cloths.htm - 10k

Bedstead (1 Occurrence)
... thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it"); `eres (Proverbs
7:16, the "strange woman" says: "I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry ...
/b/bedstead.htm - 18k

Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)
... thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it"); `eres (Proverbs
7:16, the "strange woman" says: "I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry ...
/b/bedchamber.htm - 20k

Bed (142 Occurrences)
... thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it"); `eres (Proverbs
7:16, the "strange woman" says: "I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry ...
/b/bed.htm - 52k

Carpus (1 Occurrence)

/c/carpus.htm - 7k

Worsted (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Well-twisted yarn spun of long-staple wool which has been combed to lay
the fibers parallel, used for carpets, cloth, hosiery, gloves, and the like. ...
/w/worsted.htm - 7k

Furniture (24 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) Articles used for convenience or decoration in a house or apartment, as
tables, chairs, bedsteads, sofas, carpets, curtains, pictures, vases, etc. ...
/f/furniture.htm - 16k

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