Definition and Usage:
Embroidery in biblical times refers to the art of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle to apply thread or yarn. It is a craft that involves intricate designs and patterns, often used to enhance the beauty and significance of garments and sacred items.

Biblical References:
The practice of embroidery is mentioned several times in the Bible, particularly in the context of the construction of the Tabernacle and the garments of the priests. It is associated with skill, artistry, and the dedication of one's talents to the service of God.

1. Exodus 26:36 : "You are to make a curtain for the entrance to the tent, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with embroidered work." This verse describes the entrance curtain of the Tabernacle, highlighting the use of embroidery to create a beautiful and sacred space for worship.

2. Exodus 28:39 : "You are to weave the tunic with fine linen, make the turban of fine linen, and fashion the sash with embroidered work." Here, embroidery is used in the making of the priestly garments, signifying the importance and holiness of the priestly office.

3. Exodus 35:35 : "He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen, and as weavers—designers of every work and artistic craft." This passage acknowledges the God-given skill of the artisans who contributed to the Tabernacle, including those who embroidered.

4. Ezekiel 16:10 : "I clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of fine leather on your feet. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk." In this metaphorical passage, God describes His care and adornment of Jerusalem, using embroidery as a symbol of beauty and divine favor.

Cultural and Religious Significance:
In the ancient Near East, embroidery was a highly valued skill, often associated with wealth and status. In the biblical context, it is particularly significant in the construction of the Tabernacle and the garments of the priests, symbolizing the beauty and holiness required in the worship of God. The use of embroidery in sacred contexts underscores the importance of offering one's best to God, reflecting His glory through the work of human hands.

Theological Implications:
The detailed instructions for embroidery in the construction of the Tabernacle and priestly garments reflect the order and precision that God desires in worship. It serves as a reminder of the beauty and creativity that God has endowed to humanity, which can be used to honor Him. The use of embroidery in sacred contexts also points to the idea of holiness and separation, as these items were set apart for divine purposes.

Conclusion:
Embroidery in the Bible is more than just a decorative art; it is a symbol of dedication, skill, and the beauty of holiness. Through the intricate work of embroidery, the biblical narrative highlights the importance of offering one's best to God and the role of beauty in worship.The art of embroidery was known to the Jews (Exodus 26:36; 35:35; 38:23; Judges 5:30; Psalm 45:14). The skill of the women in this art was seen in the preparation of the sacerdotal robes of the high priest (Exodus 28). It seems that the art became hereditary in certain families (1 Chronicles 4:21). The Assyrians were also noted for their embroidered robes (Ezek. 27:24). (v. t.) To ornament with needlework; as, to embroider a scarf.7660. shabats -- probably to weave in checker (or plaited) work
... embroider, set. A primitive root; to interweave (colored) threads in squares; by
implication (of reticulation) to inchase gems in gold -- embroider, set. ...
/hebrew/7660.htm - 6k

7551. raqam -- to variegate
... A primitive root; to variegate color, ie Embroider; by implication, to fabricate --
embroiderer, needlework, curiously work. 7550, 7551. raqam. 7552 . ...
/hebrew/7551.htm - 6k

7528. ratsaph -- to fit together, fit out
... pave. A denominative from retseph; to tessellate, ie Embroider (as if with bright
stones) -- pave. see HEBREW retseph. 7527, 7528. ratsaph. 7529 . ...
/hebrew/7528.htm - 6k

The Good Samaritan
... "Gives not the hawthorn bush a sweeter shade To shepherds, looking on their silly
sheep, Than doth a rich embroider'd canopy To kings, that fear their ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xlviii the good samaritan.htm

The Duty of the Present Moment the Only Rule.
... do they apply themselves to their little work, so simple, so hidden, so secret,
and outwardly contemptible, the more does God embroider and embellish it with ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section vi the duty of the.htm

An Appreciation of John Wesley's Journal
... of Horace Walpole, to enliven it with a heartless jest of George Selwyn's, to make
it blush with sad stories of the extravagance of Fox, to embroider it with ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/an appreciation of john wesleys.htm

Nineveh.
... He was so weary of all amusement and delight, that, by way of change, he would dress
like his wives, and spin and embroider with them, and he even offered huge ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ix nineveh.htm

A Dark Picture and a Bright Hope
... says,. 'Shadows well mounted, dreams in a career, Embroider'd lies, nothing
between two dishes" These are the pleasures here.'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/a dark picture and a.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... The stories of marvel which richly embroider the whole story are partly the halos
of imagination investing a personality which commanded, charmed, inspired. ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 3. <. ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

Embroider (1 Occurrence)
... 27:24). Noah Webster's Dictionary. (vt) To ornament with needlework; as, to embroider
a scarf. Multi-Version Concordance Embroider (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/embroider.htm - 7k

Embroidered (26 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Embroider. Multi-Version Concordance
Embroidered (26 Occurrences). Exodus 26:36 And thou ...
/e/embroidered.htm - 14k

Needlework (23 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt
make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework. ...
/n/needlework.htm - 14k

Needle-work (7 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Exodus 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt
make the miter of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needle-work. ...
/n/needle-work.htm - 8k

Work (4564 Occurrences)
... manage; to lead. 23. (vt) To form with a needle and thread or yarn; especially,
to embroider; as, to work muslin. 24. (vt) To set ...
/w/work.htm - 12k

Tambour (7 Occurrences)
... of any pulsating artery. 6. (vt) To embroider on a tambour. Multi-Version
Concordance Tambour (7 Occurrences). Genesis 31:27 Why ...
/t/tambour.htm - 9k

Embracing (4 Occurrences)

/e/embracing.htm - 7k

Mitre (10 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make
the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework. ...
/m/mitre.htm - 12k

Miter (9 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Exodus 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt
make the miter of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needle-work. ...
/m/miter.htm - 9k

Girdle (44 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make
the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework. ...
/g/girdle.htm - 24k

Embroider: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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