The term "checkered" does not appear explicitly in the Bible; however, the concept of checkered or patterned designs can be inferred from various descriptions of garments and materials used in biblical times. The idea of patterned or multicolored fabrics is often associated with wealth, status, and divine craftsmanship.

Biblical References and Context

1. Joseph's Coat of Many Colors: One of the most famous biblical references to a multicolored garment is the coat given to Joseph by his father Jacob. Genesis 37:3 states, "Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because he had been born to him in his old age, and he made him a robe of many colors." While the term "checkered" is not used, the concept of a multicolored or patterned garment is evident. This coat symbolized Jacob's favoritism and set the stage for the ensuing jealousy and conflict among Joseph's brothers.

2. Priestly Garments: The garments worn by the priests, particularly the high priest, were intricately designed and included various colors and patterns. Exodus 28:4-5 describes the priestly garments: "These are the garments they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They shall use gold, along with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen." The use of multiple colors and fine craftsmanship suggests a form of checkered or patterned design, symbolizing holiness and the beauty of service to God.

3. Tabernacle and Temple Fabrics: The construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple involved the use of richly colored and patterned fabrics. Exodus 26:1 describes the Tabernacle curtains: "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 designs were not merely decorative but served to reflect the glory and majesty of God’s dwelling place among His people.

Symbolism and Interpretation

In biblical symbolism, multicolored or patterned garments often represent favor, authority, and divine blessing. Joseph's coat, for instance, was a tangible sign of his father's favor and a foreshadowing of his future authority in Egypt. Similarly, the elaborate designs of the priestly garments and the Tabernacle fabrics signify the beauty and order of God's creation and His covenant with Israel.

The use of colors and patterns in biblical textiles also reflects the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East, where such designs were associated with royalty and the divine. The intricate craftsmanship required for these garments and materials underscores the value placed on beauty and excellence in worship and service to God.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In ancient times, the production of checkered or patterned fabrics was a labor-intensive process, often involving skilled artisans. The ability to create such textiles was a sign of advanced technology and wealth. The biblical emphasis on these garments highlights the importance of offering the best to God and the significance of outward symbols in conveying spiritual truths.

Overall, while the specific term "checkered" is not used in the Bible, the concept of patterned and multicolored designs is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, symbolizing divine favor, authority, and the beauty of God's creation.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Checker.

2. (a.) Marked with alternate squares or checks of different color or material.

3. (a.) Diversified or variegated in a marked manner, as in appearance, character, circumstances, etc.

8665. tashbets -- checkered
... checkered. Transliteration: tashbets Phonetic Spelling: (tash-bates') Short Definition:
work. ... From shabats; checkered stuff (as reticulated) -- broidered. ...
/hebrew/8665.htm - 6k

4865. mishbetsah -- checkered or plaited work
... 4864, 4865. mishbetsah. 4866 . checkered or plaited work. Transliteration:
mishbetsah Phonetic Spelling: (mish-bets-aw') Short Definition: filigree. ...
/hebrew/4865.htm - 6k

7660. shabats -- probably to weave in checker (or plaited) work
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition probably to weave in checker (or plaited) work
NASB Word Usage set (2), weave the of checkered (1), work (2). ...
/hebrew/7660.htm - 6k

Loyal to the Core
... away because he doubted him, but because he felt that he had no claim to the great
sacrifices which Ittai might have to make in attending his checkered fortunes ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/loyal to the core.htm

Imperial Caesar
... travelers; the poor, the once rich, the humble and the haughty; figures in burnooses,
gabardines, gowns and tunics; striped and checkered woolens, linens or ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter vii imperial caesar.htm

The Annunciation
... the light movable screens. Different-colored woods had been used to make
a little checkered pattern on them. The ceiling was formed ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/viii the annunciation.htm

Eighteenth Day. Patience.
... The way of thy God, it may be, all mystery; no footprints of love traceable in the
checkered path; no light, in the clouds above; no ray in the dark future. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/eighteenth day patience.htm

Twenty-Eighth Day. Committing Our Way to God.
... Christian! look back on your checkered path. How wondrously has He threaded you
through the mazy way"disappointing your fears, realizing your hopes! ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/twenty-eighth day committing our way.htm

Cast Your Eye Round the Room in which You Sit...
... to raise their spirits, to toast their muffins, to air their rooms, to cook their
chestnuts, to tell stories to their children, to make checkered shadows on ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 17 cast your eye.htm

Self-Humbling and Self-Searching
... During the time in which any one of those statues has stood there, however, the
history of any one human person has been checkered with all sorts of incidents ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/self-humbling and self-searching.htm

The Millennium in Relation to Israel.
... The vision of the smoking furnace and the burning lamp intimated that the
history of Abraham's descendants was to be a checkered one. ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/4 the millennium in relation.htm

Contentment and Resignation.
... 3 Thus through life's changing scenes we'll go, Its checkered paths of joy and woe,
With holy care we'll tread: Quit its vain scenes without a tear, Without a ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/625 contentment and resignation.htm

Life Dedicated to God.
... 4 Thus cheer us through the checkered road, Till all our labors cease,
And heaven refresh our weary souls With everlasting peace. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/78 life dedicated to.htm

Checkered (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Diversified or variegated in a marked manner, as in appearance, character,
circumstances, etc. Multi-Version Concordance Checkered (2 Occurrences). ...
/c/checkered.htm - 7k

Checker (3 Occurrences)

/c/checker.htm - 8k

Vest (11 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and
an ephod, and a cloak, and a checkered vest, a turban, and a girdle; and they ...
/v/vest.htm - 11k

Judah (802 Occurrences)
... For about another century and a half Judah had a somewhat checkered existence after
the termination of the kingdom of Israel till its final overthrow in the ...
/j/judah.htm - 101k

Tartan (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Woolen cloth, checkered or crossbarred with narrow bands of various colors,
much worn in the Highlands of Scotland; hence, any pattern of tartan; also ...
/t/tartan.htm - 8k

Broidered (9 Occurrences)
... broid'-erd: (1) riqmah, "variegation of color" (Ezekiel 16:10, 13, 18; Ezekiel
26:16; Ezekiel 27:7, 16, 24); (2) tashbets, "checkered stuff" (as reticulated). ...
/b/broidered.htm - 10k

Checkerwork

/c/checkerwork.htm - 7k

Check (9 Occurrences)
... 19. (vi) To turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and fly after other birds. 20.
(a.) Checkered; designed in checks. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CHECK. ...
/c/check.htm - 11k

Joppa (14 Occurrences)
... During the Crusades it had a checkered history, being taken, now by the Christians,
now by the Moslems. It was captured by the French under Kleber in 1799. ...
/j/joppa.htm - 17k

Jacob (361 Occurrences)
... 48). At length the end of his checkered course draws nigh, and he summons
his sons to his bedside that he may bless them. Among ...
/j/jacob.htm - 77k

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