In biblical times, the act of folding was a practical activity, often associated with the handling of garments, linens, and other materials. The concept of folding, while not extensively detailed in Scripture, can be inferred through various passages that describe the care and management of clothing and other items.

Garments and Linens:

The folding of garments and linens is implied in several biblical narratives. In the ancient Near Eastern context, clothing was a valuable possession, often made from wool, linen, or other materials that required careful maintenance. The act of folding would have been a necessary part of preserving these items, ensuring they remained in good condition for future use.

In John 20:6-7 , the account of the resurrection of Jesus provides a subtle reference to folding: "Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen." This passage highlights the folded cloth as a significant detail, suggesting order and intentionality, contrasting with the chaos of the crucifixion and burial.

Symbolism and Order:

The act of folding can symbolize order, care, and attention to detail. In a broader biblical context, God is often depicted as a God of order, as seen in the creation narrative where everything is made with purpose and precision (Genesis 1). The folding of the cloth in the tomb can be seen as a reflection of this divine order, indicating that even in the resurrection, there is a meticulous and deliberate plan.

Cultural Practices:

In ancient Israelite culture, folding would have been a common domestic task, particularly for women who managed the household. Proverbs 31:22 describes the virtuous woman: "She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple." While folding is not explicitly mentioned, the care and craftsmanship involved in making and maintaining such items imply a level of skill and diligence that would include folding.

Spiritual Implications:

From a spiritual perspective, the act of folding can be seen as a metaphor for preparation and readiness. Just as garments are folded and set aside for future use, believers are called to be prepared and ready for the return of Christ. This theme of readiness is echoed in various New Testament passages, such as Matthew 24:44 : "For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect."

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly focus on the act of folding, the concept is woven into the fabric of biblical narratives and teachings, reflecting themes of order, care, and spiritual readiness.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fold.

2. (n.) The act of making a fold or folds; also, a fold; a doubling; a plication.

3. (n.) The keeping of sheep in enclosures on arable land, etc.

FOLD; FOLDING

fold fold'-ing (verb; chabhaq, sabhakh; helisso):

The verb occurs only 3 times in the King James Version, and in each instance represents a different word; we have chabhaq "to clasp" (Ecclesiastes 4:5), "The fool foldeth his hands together" (compare Proverbs 6:10); cabhak, "to interweave" (Nahum 1:10, "folded together as thorns," the English Revised Version "like tangled thorns" the American Standard Revised Version "entangled like thorns"; see ENTANGLE); helisso "to roll or fold up" (Hebrews 1:12, quoted from Psalm 102:26 (Septuagint), the Revised Version (British and American) "As a mantle shalt thou roll them up"). Folding occurs as translation of galil, "turning" or "rolling" (1 Kings 6:34 bis, folding leaves of door).

See also HOUSE.

W. L. Walker

4165. poimaino -- to act as a shepherd
... 4165 () focuses on "" ("" 274), which includes guarding, guiding, and folding the
flock and is only provided (ultimately) by Jesus Christ -- Shepherd, who ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4165.htm - 8k

4439. pule -- a gate
... a gate, porch. Apparently a primary word; a gate, ie The leaf or wing of a folding
entrance (literally or figuratively) -- gate. (pulai) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4439.htm - 7k

1550. galil -- a turning, folding
... 1549, 1550. galil. 1551 . a turning, folding. Transliteration: galil Phonetic
Spelling: (gaw-leel') Short Definition: pivots. ... folding, ring. ...
/hebrew/1550.htm - 6k

2264. chibbuq -- a clasping, folding (of the hands)
... 2263, 2264. chibbuq. 2265 . a clasping, folding (of the hands). Transliteration:
chibbuq Phonetic Spelling: (khib-book') Short Definition: folding. ...
/hebrew/2264.htm - 6k

3666. kinah -- a bundle, pack
... wares. From kana' in the sense of folding (compare kanac); a package -- wares. see
HEBREW kana'. see HEBREW kanac. 3665, 3666. kinah. 3667 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/3666.htm - 6k

3834. labibah -- cakes
... cake. Or rather lbibah {leb-ee-baw'}; from labab in its original sense of fatness
(or perhaps of folding); a cake (either as fried or turned) -- cake. ...
/hebrew/3834.htm - 6k

The Sluggard's Garden
... verse with what seemed to be the words of the sluggard in answer to the attempt
to awake him: 'Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the sluggards garden.htm

Conversion.
... This gate, according to the prophet Ezekiel, was six cubits wide. The leaves of
this gate were double, one folding this way, the other folding that. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xi conversion.htm

How to Make Use of Christ as the Life, when the Believer is So ...
... that spirit of laziness and drowsiness, when it first seizeth upon them; but, with
the sluggard, yet another slumber, and another sleep, and a folding of the ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxi how to make.htm

Concerning Things Accomplished in the Synaxis.
... consecrating function both collects our divided lives into uniform deification,
and gives communion and union with the One, by the Godlike folding together of ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput iii i concerning things.htm

The Vain Pretensions of False Gods.
... out. With an old woman, or who enters in. By stealth to houses through the
folding-doors,. He ne'er can please me; nay, but only he. ...
/.../justin on the sole government of god /chapter v the vain pretensions of.htm

Of Removing Tithes.
... Sheep kept principally for the sake of folding, if sold out of the parish
before shearing time, shall pay agistment tithe.2 Amstr.500. ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/8 of removing tithes.htm

Acts III
... The Beautiful gate of the temple, so called because of its magnificent folding doors,
fifty feet high and forty feet wide, covered with gold and Corinthian ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts iii.htm

Peter's Denial and Repentance.
... This passage or archway is called in the Gospels the "porch," and was closed at
the end next the street by a heavy folding gate with a wicket for single persons ...
/.../xviii peters denial and repentance.htm

On Costly Vessels.
... of easily cleft cedar and thyine wood, and ebony, and tripods fashioned of ivory,
and couches with silver feet and inlaid with ivory, and folding-doors of beds ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iii on costly vessels.htm

Carletta and the Merchant
... of cold.". By this time the child had begun to sing, pushing back her hood,
and folding before her her little thin fingers. Her voice ...
/.../carletta and the merchant.htm

Folding (14 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FOLD; FOLDING. ...Folding occurs as translation of
galil, "turning" or "rolling" (1 Kings 6:34 bis, folding leaves of door). ...
/f/folding.htm - 11k

Folding-doors (3 Occurrences)
Folding-doors. Folding, Folding-doors. Foldings . Multi-Version
Concordance Folding-doors (3 Occurrences). 1 Kings 6 ...
/f/folding-doors.htm - 7k

Fold (23 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FOLD; FOLDING. ...Folding occurs as translation of
galil, "turning" or "rolling" (1 Kings 6:34 bis, folding leaves of door). ...
/f/fold.htm - 17k

Knives (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:50 and the basons, and the knives, and the bowls, and the cups, and the
censers of pure gold; and the hinges of gold, for the folding-doors of the ...
/k/knives.htm - 10k

Leaf (20 Occurrences)
... Leaf of a door (1 Kings 6:34), the valve of a folding door. ... (b) A side, division,
or part, that slides or is hinged, as of window shutters, folding doors, etc. ...
/l/leaf.htm - 16k

Fir-wood (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:34 and two doors of fir-wood: the two leaves of the one door were folding,
and the two leaves of the other door were folding. (ASV). ...
/f/fir-wood.htm - 7k

Pivots (1 Occurrence)
... Pivots (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 6:34 and two doors of fir wood: the two leaves of
the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding. ...
/p/pivots.htm - 6k

Slumber (14 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 6:10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the
hands to sleep: (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/slumber.htm - 10k

Fir (22 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT). 1 Kings 6:34 and two doors of fir wood: the two leaves of
the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding. ...
/f/fir.htm - 19k

Leaves (55 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). 1 Kings 6:34 and two doors of fir wood: the two leaves of the one door
were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding. ...
/l/leaves.htm - 24k

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