A shawl is a piece of fabric worn over the shoulders or head, often used for warmth, modesty, or ceremonial purposes. In biblical times, garments similar to shawls were common and served various practical and symbolic functions. While the term "shawl" itself is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the concept is closely related to several garments referenced in the Scriptures.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, clothing was an important indicator of social status, identity, and religious practice. Shawls and similar garments were typically made from wool, linen, or other locally available materials. They were often woven or embroidered with intricate designs, reflecting the wearer's wealth or social standing.

Biblical References

1. Mantles and Cloaks: The Bible frequently mentions mantles and cloaks, which can be considered analogous to shawls. For example, Elijah's mantle is a significant symbol of prophetic authority. In 1 Kings 19:19, Elijah throws his mantle over Elisha, signifying the transfer of his prophetic role: "So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him."

2. Head Coverings: In the New Testament, head coverings are discussed in the context of worship and propriety. In 1 Corinthians 11:5-6, Paul addresses the issue of women covering their heads during prayer: "And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head."

3. Symbolism and Modesty: Shawls and similar garments often symbolize modesty and humility. In Ruth 3:9, Ruth asks Boaz to spread his garment over her, a gesture of protection and a request for redemption: "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she replied. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer."

Theological Significance

Shawls and related garments in the Bible often carry deeper theological meanings. They can represent God's protection, as seen in the imagery of God covering His people with His wings (Psalm 91:4). Additionally, the act of covering oneself or another can symbolize a covenant relationship, as in the case of Ruth and Boaz.

Practical Applications

In contemporary Christian practice, the concept of the shawl can be seen in the use of prayer shawls or mantles during worship or prayer meetings. These items serve as tangible reminders of God's presence and the believer's commitment to a life of faith and humility.

Overall, while the specific term "shawl" may not appear in the biblical text, the concept is woven throughout Scripture, reflecting themes of protection, authority, and devotion.1. (n.) A square or oblong cloth of wool, cotton, silk, or other textile or netted fabric, used, especially by women, as a loose covering for the neck and shoulders.

2. (v. t.) To wrap in a shawl.

SHAWL

shol: the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "shawls" for the King James Version "wimples" in Isaiah 3:22.

See DRESS.

6809. tsaiph -- a wrapper, shawl, or veil
... 6808, 6809. tsaiph. 6810 . a wrapper, shawl, or veil. Transliteration:
tsaiph Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-eef') Short Definition: veil. ...
/hebrew/6809.htm - 5k

7289. radid -- a wide wrapper, large veil
... 7288, 7289. radid. 7290 . a wide wrapper, large veil. Transliteration:
radid Phonetic Spelling: (raw-deed') Short Definition: shawl. ...
/hebrew/7289.htm - 6k

4913. Mashal -- a place in Asher
... 4912, 4913. Mashal. 4914 . a place in Asher. Transliteration: Mashal Phonetic
Spelling: (maw-shawl') Short Definition: Mashal. Word ...
/hebrew/4913.htm - 6k

4474. mimshal -- dominion, ruler
... 4473, 4474. mimshal. 4475 . dominion, ruler. Transliteration: mimshal
Phonetic Spelling: (mim-shawl') Short Definition: authority. ...
/hebrew/4474.htm - 6k

4912. mashal -- a proverb, parable
... 4911b, 4912. mashal. 4913 . a proverb, parable. Transliteration: mashal
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-shawl') Short Definition: proverb. ...
/hebrew/4912.htm - 6k

The Lord's Supper
... She took her infant in her arms, and wrapped a heavy shawl round herself and the
baby. ... She might wrap herself in that great shawl, and perhaps live through it. ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/the lords supper.htm

Joseph the Dreamer.
... making him a coat of many colours"a long tunic with stripes of red, green, blue,
and yellow, having a coloured fringe at the knee, and a bright shawl to bind ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/joseph the dreamer.htm

Elijah and the Widow's Son.
... With his thick staff in his hand and his woolly mantle on his shoulders, his head
shaded by a shawl hanging down each side of his face, he crossed the plains ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/elijah and the widows son.htm

And as She Stood Looking Towards London, Diamond Saw that She was ...
... found the woven nest. It was just like a pocket, or like the shawl in which
gipsy women carry their children. North Wind put her ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 4 and as she.htm

Nanny was not Fit to be Moved for Some Time Yet...
... colours. She had such a lovely shawl on, just like redness dipped in milk,
and all worked over with flowers of the same colour. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 30 nanny was not.htm

Cii. Bartim??us and his Companion Healed.
... [He cast off his outer garment or pallium, which was like a large shawl thrown
over the shoulders, and is elsewhere called a cloak (see p.245). ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cii bartimaeus and his companion.htm

The Avenging of the Saviour.
... Then the Emperor Tiberius said to Velosianus: How hast thou it? And he answered:
I have it in clean cloth of gold, rolled up in a shawl. ...
/.../unknown/the avenging of the saviour/the avenging of the saviour.htm

Drunkenness.
... As he poured out the poison, the saloonkeeper's wife came in, and confidently asked
for [USD]500 to purchase an elegant shawl she had seen at the store of ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/ii drunkenness.htm

Saint Maura. AD 304
... So young I am"a wife too"I am not my own, But his"my husband's!' But they took my
shawl, And tore my tunic off, and there I stood Before them all. . . . ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/saint maura a d 304.htm

Talmage -- a Bloody Monster
... No; it is the same house. Rum transformed it. Rum embruted the man. Rum sold the
shawl. Rum tore up the carpets. Rum shook his fist. Rum desolated the hearth. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/talmage a bloody monster.htm

Shawl (2 Occurrences)
... for the neck and shoulders. 2. (vt) To wrap in a shawl. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. SHAWL. shol: the Revised Version (British ...
/s/shawl.htm - 7k

Dress (38 Occurrences)
... outer garment consisted of a piece of woollen cloth like a Scotch plaid, either
wrapped round the body or thrown over the shoulders like a shawl, with the ends ...
/d/dress.htm - 53k

Shavsha (1 Occurrence)

/s/shavsha.htm - 8k

Kerchief
... The precise meaning of the word is uncertain. It appears to have been a long loose
shawl, such as Oriental women wrap themselves in (Ruth 3:15; Isaiah 3:22). ...
/k/kerchief.htm - 7k

Locks (29 Occurrences)
... (1) The first word, tsitsith, means really a tassel, such as is worn by the Jews
on the four corners of the prayer-shawl or Tallith and on the 'arba` kanephoth ...
/l/locks.htm - 18k

Turban (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A headdress worn by men in the Levant and by most Mohammedans of the male
sex, consisting of a cap, and a sash, scarf, or shawl, usually of cotton or ...
/t/turban.htm - 11k

Cloak (73 Occurrences)
... In size and material the "cloak" differed according to age and sex, class and
occupation, but in shape it was like our mantle or shawl. ...
/c/cloak.htm - 30k

Cloke (7 Occurrences)
... In size and material the "cloak" differed according to age and sex, class and
occupation, but in shape it was like our mantle or shawl. ...
/c/cloke.htm - 10k

Shawls (2 Occurrences)

/s/shawls.htm - 6k

Strap (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Something made of such a strip, or of a part of one, or a combination of
two or more for a particular use; as, a boot strap, shawl strap, stirrup strap ...
/s/strap.htm - 8k

What is a prayer shawl? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Prayer (All) | GotQuestions.org

Contemporary Judaism ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Shawl: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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