Definition and Etymology:
The term "sheet" in the context of the Bible is not frequently used in the same manner as in modern language. In biblical times, a "sheet" would typically refer to a large piece of fabric or cloth, often used for various practical purposes such as covering, wrapping, or as part of a tent. The word "sheet" as it appears in the Bible is derived from the Greek word "othonē," which can mean a linen cloth or sail.

Biblical References:
One of the most notable references to a "sheet" in the Bible is found in the New Testament, in the book of Acts. In Acts 10:11, Peter has a vision: "He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners." . This sheet contained all kinds of animals, and Peter was instructed to kill and eat, symbolizing the opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles and the removal of dietary restrictions.

Symbolism and Interpretation:
In Acts 10, the sheet symbolizes the inclusivity of God's message and the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles. The vision challenges Peter's understanding of purity and the Law, emphasizing that what God has cleansed should not be considered impure. This passage is pivotal in the early Church's transition to a more inclusive community, reflecting the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed (Genesis 22:18).

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the ancient Near East, sheets or large cloths were common household items. They were used for various purposes, including as sails for boats, coverings for tents, or even as burial shrouds. The use of a sheet in Peter's vision would have been a familiar image to the original audience, making the vision's message more relatable and understandable.

Theological Significance:
Theologically, the vision of the sheet in Acts 10 is significant for its role in the early Church's understanding of the universality of the Gospel. It underscores the message that salvation through Jesus Christ is available to all people, regardless of ethnic or cultural background. This vision helped to pave the way for the missionary journeys of Paul and the spread of Christianity beyond Jewish communities.

Practical Application:
For believers today, the account of the sheet in Acts 10 serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and the breaking down of prejudices. It challenges Christians to examine their own biases and to embrace the diversity within the body of Christ. The vision encourages the Church to reach out to all people with the message of the Gospel, reflecting God's love and acceptance for all humanity.1. (v. t.) In general, a large, broad piece of anything thin, as paper, cloth, etc.; a broad, thin portion of any substance; an expanded superficies.

2. (n.) A broad piece of cloth, usually linen or cotton, used for wrapping the body or for a covering; especially, one used as an article of bedding next to the body.

3. (n.) A broad piece of paper, whether folded or unfolded, whether blank or written or printed upon; hence, a letter; a newspaper, etc.

4. (n.) A single signature of a book or a pamphlet;

5. (n.) The book itself.

6. (n.) A broad, thinly expanded portion of metal or other substance; as, a sheet of copper, of glass, or the like; a plate; a leaf.

7. (n.) A broad expanse of water, or the like.

8. (n.) A sail.

9. (n.) An extensive bed of an eruptive rock intruded between, or overlying, other strata.

10. (n.) A rope or chain which regulates the angle of adjustment of a sail in relation in relation to the wind; -- usually attached to the lower corner of a sail, or to a yard or a boom.

11. (n.) The space in the forward or the after part of a boat where there are no rowers; as, fore sheets; stern sheets.

12. (v. t.) To furnish with a sheet or sheets; to wrap in, or cover with, a sheet, or as with a sheet.

13. (v. t.) To expand, as a sheet.

SHEET

shet. See DRESS; compare Acts 10:11, "as it were a great sheet" (othone).

3607. othone -- fine linen, hence a sheet or sail
... fine linen, hence a sheet or sail. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
othone Phonetic Spelling: (oth-on'-ay) Short Definition: a linen cloth, sheet ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3607.htm - 6k

5489. chartes -- a sheet of paper (made of papyrus strips)
... a sheet of paper (made of papyrus strips). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: chartes Phonetic Spelling: (khar'-tace) Short Definition: papyrus ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5489.htm - 6k

2750. keiria -- a bandage, grave-clothes
... graveclothes. Of uncertain affinity; a swathe, ie Winding-sheet -- graveclothes.
(keiriais) -- 1 Occurrence. 2749, 2750. keiria. 2751 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2750.htm - 6k

4616. sindon -- fine linen cloth
... cloth. Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition fine linen cloth NASB
Word Usage linen cloth (4), linen sheet (2). fine linen. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4616.htm - 6k

976. biblos -- (the inner) bark (of a papyrus plant), hence a ...
... book. Properly, the inner bark of the papyrus plant, ie (by implication) a
sheet or scroll of writing -- book. (biblos) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/976.htm - 6k

5466. sadin -- linen garment
... fine linen, sheet. From an unused root meaning to envelop; a wrapper, ie Shirt --
fine linen, sheet. 5465, 5466. sadin. 5467 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5466.htm - 6k

6341. pach -- a bird trap
... gin, thin plate, snare From pachach; a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin); also
a spring net (as spread out like a lamina) -- gin, (thin) plate, snare. ...
/hebrew/6341.htm - 5k

6823. tsaphah -- to lay out, lay over
... A primitive root (probably identical with tsaphah through the idea of expansion
in outlook, transferring to action); to sheet over (especially with metal ...
/hebrew/6823.htm - 6k

To the Rev. J. Jowett
... Now supposing that the size is to be folio like that of the original, two sides
will make a sheet, and the price of composition will be 26 roubles, 20 copecks ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev j jowett 9.htm

The Embalming of the Body of Jesus.
... The adorable head of Jesus rested upon Mary's knee, and his body was stretched
upon a sheet. ... I also saw another large sheet unfolded. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter li the embalming of.htm

Now There were Few Barriers Between the Emperor and the People. .. ...
... man?". Augustus dropped the sheet of vellum and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ...
glance. "A cipher," he added, passing the sheet of vellum. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 6 now there were.htm

A Caution to Stir up to Watch against Sin
... This faithful and affectionate appeal to conscience, was originally published on
a half-sheet of copy paper, and being only printed on one side of the leaf was ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a caution to stir up.htm

Writing Blotted Out and Mist Melted
... You have seen those old-fashioned 'manifold writers' in your places of business,
and the construction of them is this: a flimsy sheet of tissue paper, a bit of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/writing blotted out and mist.htm

Then Rabbi Addas, and Rabbi Finees, and Rabbi Egias...
... righteous and holy blood. Then Karinus and Leucius signed to them with their
hands to give them a sheet of paper and ink. And this they ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 1 17 then rabbi.htm

To the Rev. J. Jowett
... in a plain language which they spoke and were accustomed to, have received such
instruction that with ease they can each compose at the rate of a sheet a day ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev j jowett 12.htm

The Night of Resurrection.
... The sacred body of our Blessed Redeemer was wrapped in the winding-sheet, and
surrounded with light, while two angels sat in an attitude of adoration, the one ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lxii the night of.htm

A Battle with Smallpox
... cold. The doctor carried out smallpox laws to the extreme, putting up
a wet sheet in my brother's door as he was scaling off. I ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xx a battle with.htm

The Holy Women at the Sepulchre.
... I could see the linen cloth in which the body of Jesus had been wrapped scattered
about in the tomb, and the large winding-sheet lying in the same place as ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lxiv the holy women.htm

Sheet (9 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The book itself. 6. (n.) A broad, thinly expanded portion of metal or other
substance; as, a sheet of copper, of glass, or the like; a plate; a leaf. ...
/s/sheet.htm - 10k

Plate (34 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A flat, or nearly flat, piece of metal, the thickness of which is small
in comparison with the other dimensions; a thick sheet of metal; as, a steel ...
/p/plate.htm - 20k

Shroud (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Especially, the dress for the dead; a winding sheet. ... 8. (n.) To cover with
a shroud; especially, to enclose in a winding sheet; to dress for the grave. ...
/s/shroud.htm - 9k

Object (76 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 10:11 He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him,
like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth, (See NAS). ...
/o/object.htm - 31k

Lowered (14 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Acts 10:11 He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to
him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth, (See NAS). ...
/l/lowered.htm - 10k

Follower (8 Occurrences)
... See Driver. 6. (n.) Among law stationers, a sheet of parchment or paper which
is added to the first sheet of an indenture or other deed. Int. ...
/f/follower.htm - 10k

Entrance (190 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:46 He, having bought a sheet of linen, took Him down, wrapped Him in the
sheet and laid Him in a tomb hewn in the rock; after which he rolled a stone ...
/e/entrance.htm - 37k

Descending (23 Occurrences)
... Acts 10:11 He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like
a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS ...
/d/descending.htm - 13k

Double (49 Occurrences)
... part upon another part of; as, to double the leaf of a book, and the like; to clinch,
as the fist; -- often followed by up; as, to double up a sheet of paper ...
/d/double.htm - 26k

Die (401 Occurrences)
... desired form to, or impress any desired device on, an object or surface, by pressure
or by a blow; used in forging metals, coining, striking up sheet metal, etc ...
/d/die.htm - 42k

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