Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, a tanner was a craftsman who processed animal hides into leather, a material essential for various uses, including clothing, footwear, and containers. The process of tanning involved treating the skins with tannin, a substance derived from oak bark or other plant sources, to make them durable and less susceptible to decomposition.Biblical References: The most notable reference to a tanner in the Bible is found in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. Simon the Tanner is mentioned as a resident of Joppa, a coastal city in ancient Israel. The Apostle Peter stayed at Simon's house, which is significant in the narrative of the early Church and the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Acts 9:43 states, "Peter stayed for several days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon." This verse highlights Peter's willingness to associate with individuals who were considered ritually unclean by Jewish standards. Tanners were often marginalized in Jewish society because their work involved contact with dead animals, which rendered them ceremonially unclean according to Levitical law (Leviticus 11:39-40). The account of Peter's vision in Acts 10, which occurred while he was staying at Simon the Tanner's house, marks a pivotal moment in the early Church. In this vision, Peter sees a sheet descending from heaven, filled with all kinds of animals, and hears a voice telling him to "kill and eat" (Acts 10:13). This vision prepares Peter to accept Gentiles into the Christian community, breaking down the barriers of Jewish dietary laws and ritual purity. Cultural and Religious Context: The occupation of a tanner was essential in ancient societies, providing materials necessary for daily life. However, due to the nature of their work, tanners were often located on the outskirts of towns to minimize the odor and potential contamination associated with their trade. This marginalization is reflected in the biblical narrative, where Simon the Tanner's house is situated by the sea (Acts 10:6), likely to facilitate the disposal of waste and access to water for the tanning process. In the context of Jewish law, the work of a tanner was considered impure, and those engaged in this trade were often excluded from full participation in religious activities. Despite this, the New Testament narrative demonstrates a shift in focus from ritual purity to the inclusivity of the Gospel message. Peter's stay with Simon the Tanner signifies the breaking down of social and religious barriers, emphasizing the transformative power of the Gospel to reach all people, regardless of their societal status or occupation. Theological Implications: The account of Simon the Tanner and Peter's vision underscores the early Church's mission to transcend traditional Jewish boundaries and embrace a universal call to salvation. It illustrates the movement from the Old Covenant, with its emphasis on ritual purity, to the New Covenant, characterized by grace and the inclusion of all nations. This narrative serves as a reminder of the radical nature of the Gospel, which calls believers to extend love and acceptance beyond cultural and religious confines. In summary, the role of the tanner in biblical times, as exemplified by Simon the Tanner, provides insight into the social and religious dynamics of the period. It also highlights the transformative message of the New Testament, which seeks to unite all people under the lordship of Jesus Christ. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) One whose occupation is to tan hides, or convert them into leather by the use of tan.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia TANNERtan'-er (burseus, from bursa "a hide"): The only references to a tanner are in Acts 9:43; Acts 10:6, 32. The Jews looked upon tanning as an undesirable occupation and well they might, for at best it was accompanied with unpleasant odors and unattractive sights, if not even ceremonially unclean. We can imagine that Simon the tanner found among the disciples of Jesus a fellowship which had been denied him before. Peter made the way still easier for Simon by choosing his house as his abode while staying in Joppa. Simon's house was by the seashore, as is true of the tanneries along the Syrian coast today, so that the foul-smelling liquors from the vats can be drawn off with the least nuisance, and so that the salt water may be easily accessible for washing the skins during the tanning process. These tanneries are very unpretentious affairs, usually consisting of one or two small rooms and a courtyard. Within are the vats made either of stone masonry, plastered within and without, or cut out of the solid rock. The sheep or goat skins are smeared on the flesh side with a paste of slaked lime and then folded up and allowed to stand until the hair loosens. The hair and fleshy matter are removed, the skins are plumped in lime, bated in a concoction first of dog dung and afterward in one of fermenting bran, in much the same way as in a modern tannery. The bated skins are tanned in sumach (Arabic summak), which is the common tanning material in Syria and Palestine. After drying, the leather is blackened on one side by rubbing on a solution made by boiling vinegar with old nails or pieces of copper, and the skin is finally given a dressing of olive oil. In the more modern tanneries degras is being imported for the currying processes. For dyeing the rams' skins red (Exodus 25) they rub on a solution of qermes (similar to cochineal; see DYEING), dry, oil, and polish with a smooth stone. Greek 1038. burseus -- a tanner ... a tanner. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: burseus Phonetic Spelling: (boorce-yooce') Short Definition: a tanner Definition: a tanner. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1038.htm - 6k Library Peter and the Roman Officer Acts x. 4-Jan Against the Heresy of Artemon. 'God is no Respecter of Persons' Some Miscellaneous Matters Respecting the Face of the Land. What God Hath Cleansed Acts X Acts xvi. 25, 26 Acts ix. 26, 27 It is Somewhat the Same Argument which You Use against the Pope ... Thesaurus Tanner (3 Occurrences)...TANNER. tan'-er (burseus, from bursa "a hide"): The only references to a tanner are in Acts 9:43; Acts 10:6, 32. ...Tanner (3 Occurrences). ... /t/tanner.htm - 11k Staying (39 Occurrences) Joppa (14 Occurrences) Jaffa (10 Occurrences) Leather (34 Occurrences) Lodgeth (13 Occurrences) Lodges (14 Occurrences) Lodging (24 Occurrences) Guest (24 Occurrences) Seaside (12 Occurrences) Resources Who was Simon the tanner? | GotQuestions.orgDid the people in the Bible have last names? | GotQuestions.org New Testament Individuals ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org Tanner: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Tanner (3 Occurrences)Acts 9:43 Acts 10:6 Acts 10:32 Subtopics Related Terms |
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