Leather, a durable and flexible material created by tanning animal hides, holds significant historical and cultural importance in biblical times. It was commonly used for various purposes, including clothing, footwear, and writing materials. The process of tanning, which involves treating the skins of animals to produce leather, was well-known in ancient societies, including those mentioned in the Bible.

Biblical References and Uses

1. Clothing and Accessories: Leather was a common material for clothing and accessories in biblical times. In 2 Kings 1:8, Elijah is described as wearing a garment of hair with a leather belt around his waist: "He was a hairy man, with a leather belt around his waist." This attire was indicative of a prophet's austere lifestyle and was later emulated by John the Baptist, as noted in Matthew 3:4.

2. Footwear: Leather was also used for making sandals, a staple of ancient Near Eastern attire. In Ezekiel 16:10, God describes adorning Jerusalem with fine clothing and leather sandals: "I clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of fine leather on your feet."

3. Writing Materials: Leather, in the form of parchment, was used for writing. Although the Bible does not explicitly mention leather scrolls, historical evidence suggests that leather was a common writing material in the ancient world. The Dead Sea Scrolls, for example, include texts written on leather parchment.

4. Symbolism and Rituals: Leather also appears in symbolic and ritual contexts. In the construction of the Tabernacle, various animal skins, possibly including leather, were used as coverings (Exodus 26:14). These coverings were part of the sacred design given by God to Moses, emphasizing the importance of durable and precious materials in worship.

5. Craftsmanship: The skill of leatherworking is implied in the Bible, as artisans were required to produce the various leather items used in daily life and religious practices. The ability to work with leather was a valued craft, contributing to the economy and culture of ancient Israel.

Cultural and Historical Context

Leatherworking was a respected trade in ancient times, with tanners playing a crucial role in society. The process of tanning was labor-intensive and required specific knowledge and skills. Tanners often worked outside city limits due to the odor and waste associated with the process. Despite this, their work was essential for producing the leather goods necessary for daily life and religious observance.

In the New Testament, Simon the Tanner is mentioned in Acts 10:6, where Peter stays at his house in Joppa. This reference highlights the continued importance of leatherworking in the early Christian era and the integration of tanners within the community.

Conclusion

Leather, as a material, is woven throughout the biblical narrative, serving practical, symbolic, and religious purposes. Its use in clothing, footwear, and potentially as a writing medium underscores its versatility and significance in the ancient world. The biblical references to leather reflect its enduring value and the skilled craftsmanship required to produce it.Leather

The notices of leather in the Bible are singularly few; indeed the word occurs but twice in the Authorized Version, and in each instance in reference to the same object, a girdle. (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4) There are, however, other instances in which the word "leather" might with propriety be substituted for "skin." (Leviticus 11:32; 13:48; Numbers 31:20) Though the material itself is seldom noticed, yet we cannot doubt that it was extensively used by the Jews; shoes, bottles, thongs, garments, ropes and other articles were made of it. The art of tanning, however, was held in low esteem by the Jews.

A girdle of, worn by Elijah (2 Kings 1:8) and John the Baptist (Matthew 3:4). Leather was employed both for clothing (Numbers 31:20; Hebrews 11:37) and for writing upon. The trade of a tanner is mentioned (Acts 9:43; 10:6, 32). It was probably learned in Egypt. 1. (n.) The skin of an animal, or some part of such skin, tanned, tawed, or otherwise dressed for use; also, dressed hides, collectively.

2. (n.) The skin.

3. (v. t.) To beat, as with a thong of leather.

LEATHER

leth'-er.

See SKIN; GIRDLE; TANNER.

4082. pera -- a leather pouch
... a leather pouch. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pera Phonetic Spelling:
(pay'-rah) Short Definition: a sack, wallet Definition: a sack, wallet ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4082.htm - 6k

779. askos -- a leather bottle, wineskin
... a leather bottle, wineskin. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: askos
Phonetic Spelling: (as-kos') Short Definition: a wine-skin Definition: a wine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/779.htm - 6k

5440. phulakterion -- an outpost, fortification, an amulet
... 5440 (from 5442 , "to keep, preserve") -- ; small, leather cases containing four
key passages of Scripture (Ex 13:1-10, 11-16; Dt 6:4-9, 13-21). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5440.htm - 7k

1193. dermatinos -- made of skin, leathern
... Word Origin from derma Definition made of skin, leathern NASB Word Usage leather
(2). leathern, of a skin. From derma; made of hide -- leathern, of a skin. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1193.htm - 6k

8476. tachash -- perhaps porpoise (a kind of leather or skin)
... 8475, 8476. tachash. 8477 . perhaps porpoise (a kind of leather or skin).
Transliteration: tachash Phonetic Spelling: (takh'-ash) Short Definition: porpoise ...
/hebrew/8476.htm - 6k

5785. or -- a skin
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a skin NASB Word Usage body (1),
hide (4), hides (1), leather (15), skin (65), skins (13). hide, leather, skin. ...
/hebrew/5785.htm - 6k

4997. nod -- a skin bottle, skin
... bottle. Or noywd {node}; also (feminine) no)dah {no-daw'}; from an unused root of
uncertain signification; a (skin or leather) bag (for fluids) -- bottle. ...
/hebrew/4997.htm - 6k

Daily Meditation
... Cloth, net 25c Leather, net 35c. Yet Another Day A Prayer for Each Day.32mo,
cloth, net 25c Leather, net 35c A new large type edition. ...
/.../jowett/my daily meditation for the circling year/daily meditation.htm

Grace Flooding.
... That crutching, leather-bound translation is grossly inaccurate, if it is in such
big print, and in such wide circulation. Look here. Can you see the words? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/grace flooding.htm

The Scourging of Jesus.
... They were six in number, dark, swarthy men, somewhat shorter than Jesus; their chests
were covered with a piece of leather, or with some dirty stuff; their ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxii the scourging of.htm

Practical Observations.
... Once when Dr. Bethune preached against pride, a man went to him and pointed to leather
buttons on his coat, saying, "See, I am not proud." "Yes," said the ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/practical observations 24.htm

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and ...
... 4-9; xi.13-21. These were enclosed in a leather case and were fastened to
the forehead and left arm. The authority for wearing them ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cx jesus last public discourse.htm

Celsus, Moreover, Thinks that we have Invented this "Tree of Life" ...
... tree of life' were an invention, because he"Jesus"(is reported) to have been a
carpenter, it would follow that if he had been a leather-cutter, something ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxvii celsus moreover thinks.htm

But as Celsus Delights to Heap up Calumnies against Us...
... He asserts, "We see, indeed, in private houses workers in wool and leather, and
fullers, and persons of the most uninstructed and rustic character, not ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lv but as celsus.htm

After Finishing the Foregoing, and those Analogous Matters which ...
... by craft; so that if he had chanced to have been cast from a precipice, or thrust
into a pit, or suffocated by hanging, or had been a leather-cutter, or stone ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxiv after finishing the.htm

I Will Follow the Order of Your Letter, and Subjoin Your Very ...
... I am not going to administer the ferule; I do not assume, as you put it, to apply
the strokes of the leather thong to teach an aged pupil his letters. ...
/.../6 i will follow the.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... The people waited in the sunshine, and soon they saw David, with his tunic pulled
through his leather belt so as to leave his legs free, running swiftly up the ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

Leather (34 Occurrences)
... A girdle of, worn by Elijah (2 Kings 1:8) and John the Baptist (Matthew 3:4). Leather
was employed both for clothing (Numbers 31:20; Hebrews 11:37) and for ...
/l/leather.htm - 17k

Leather-worker (3 Occurrences)
Leather-worker. Leathern, Leather-worker. Leave . Multi-Version
Concordance Leather-worker (3 Occurrences). Acts 9:43 ...
/l/leather-worker.htm - 7k

Tanner (3 Occurrences)
... (n.) One whose occupation is to tan hides, or convert them into leather by the use
of tan. ...Leather was probably used more extensively than any records show. ...
/t/tanner.htm - 11k

Threads (13 Occurrences)
... (See JPS NAS RSV). Leviticus 13:48 If it is in the threads of the linen or of
the wool, or in leather, or in anything made of skin; (BBE). ...
/t/threads.htm - 10k

Coloured (21 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 25:5 And sheepskins coloured red, and leather, and hard wood; (BBE). ...
Exodus 35:7 And sheepskins coloured red, and leather, and hard wood, (BBE). ...
/c/coloured.htm - 12k

Sheepskins (7 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:5 And sheepskins coloured red, and leather, and hard wood; (BBE). ... (BBE).
Exodus 35:7 And sheepskins coloured red, and leather, and hard wood, (BBE). ...
/s/sheepskins.htm - 8k

Bottle (28 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A hollow vessel, usually of glass or earthenware
(but formerly of leather), with a narrow neck or mouth, for holding liquids. ...
/b/bottle.htm - 23k

Belt (32 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A band of leather, or other flexible substance, passing around two
wheels, and communicating motion from one to the other. ...
/b/belt.htm - 17k

Material (61 Occurrences)
... 51 And he is to see the mark on the seventh day; if the mark is increased in the
clothing, or in the threads of the material, or in the leather, whatever the ...
/m/material.htm - 24k

Leathern (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Made of leather; consisting of. leather; as, a leathern
purse. Multi-Version Concordance Leathern (2 Occurrences). ...
/l/leathern.htm - 7k

What is the Gospel of Thomas? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Simon the tanner? | GotQuestions.org

What is the belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14)? | GotQuestions.org

Leather: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus