Worsted is a type of woolen fabric that is characterized by its smooth texture and durability. The term "worsted" originates from the village of Worstead in Norfolk, England, where the fabric was first produced during the medieval period. Although the specific term "worsted" does not appear in the Bible, the concept of woven fabrics and textiles is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the importance of cloth-making in ancient cultures.

Biblical Context of Textiles

In biblical times, textiles were a significant part of daily life and held both practical and symbolic meanings. The Bible frequently mentions various types of fabrics, including wool, linen, and other materials used for clothing, tents, and sacred purposes. For instance, in Exodus 35:25-26 , the skilled women of Israel are described as spinning yarn with their hands, contributing to the construction of the Tabernacle: "Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple, or scarlet yarn, or fine linen. And all the skilled women whose hearts were stirred spun the goat hair."

Symbolism and Use in Scripture

While worsted itself is not directly mentioned, wool is a common material referenced in the Bible, often symbolizing purity and righteousness. Isaiah 1:18 uses wool as a metaphor for forgiveness and cleansing: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." This imagery underscores the transformative power of God's grace.

The process of making textiles, including spinning and weaving, is also used metaphorically in Scripture to describe God's creative and sustaining power. In Psalm 139:13 , the psalmist acknowledges God's intimate involvement in creation: "For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb."

Cultural and Historical Insights

The production of textiles in biblical times was a labor-intensive process, often carried out by women within the household. The skills required for spinning and weaving were highly valued, and the resulting fabrics were essential for clothing and trade. The Proverbs 31 woman is praised for her industriousness in textile production: "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands" (Proverbs 31:13).

In the ancient Near East, textiles were not only practical but also served as indicators of wealth and status. Fine garments, often made from wool or linen, were prized possessions and sometimes used as gifts or offerings. The high priest's garments, as described in Exodus 28, were made from finely woven materials, signifying their sacred purpose.

Conclusion

While worsted as a specific fabric is not mentioned in the Bible, the broader context of textile production and its symbolic meanings are deeply embedded in the biblical narrative. The use of wool and other materials in Scripture highlights themes of purity, creativity, and divine provision, reflecting the cultural and spiritual significance of textiles in the ancient world.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Worst.

2. (n.) Well-twisted yarn spun of long-staple wool which has been combed to lay the fibers parallel, used for carpets, cloth, hosiery, gloves, and the like.

3. (n.) Fine and soft woolen yarn, untwisted or lightly twisted, used in knitting and embroidery.

How Colman, Being Worsted, Returned Home, and Tuda Succeeded Him ...
... XXVI. How Colman, being worsted, returned home, and Tuda succeeded him in the bishopric,
and of the state of the church under those teachers. [664 AD]. ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxvi how colman being.htm

Expedition of Julian into Persia; He was Worsted and Broke
... Book VI. Chapter I."Expedition of Julian into Persia; he was worsted and broke.
off his Life Miserably. Letter written by Libanius, describing his Death. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter i expedition of julian into.htm

Hear, O Freedom, the Dispute of Two Servants: How they are ...
... S., Thy disputing, Death, is ended: for he who is worsted: when his words
fail and are ended, begins to rail."14. D., Among all ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn liv hear o freedom.htm

Of the Fact that Devils Struggle with Men not Without Effort on ...
... from each one that victory which they want to obtain, and there is hurled back upon
them the same confusion which was awaiting us had we been worsted by them ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxi of the fact.htm

The Life of Captain John Paton.
... At the first on-set, some of Montrose's highlanders, going too far up the hill,
were invironed by the covenanters, and like to have been worsted; but the old ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of captain john.htm

The Godhood of God
... bidding. We affirm that God is something more than One who has waged a
protracted war with the Devil and has been worsted. When ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the godhood of god/the godhood of god.htm

A Desperate Case --How to Meet It
... he smites the idolaters; but when Jesus comes down from the mountain, he finds a
strife in the camp, as Moses did; he finds his own apostles worsted and beaten ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a desperate casehow to meet.htm

The Betrayal
... 48. WHEN SATAN HAD BEEN ENTIRELY worsted in his conflict with Christ in
the garden, the man-devil Judas came upon the scene. As ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the betrayal.htm

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who ...
... no slight skill, he attempted to assert and defend his error, Malachy disputing
against him and convicting him, in the judgement of all, he was worsted; and he ...
/.../chapter vii he does battle.htm

Ein Neues Lied Wir Heben An. By Help of God I Fain Would Tell.
... The enemy waxed fierce in hate, And for their life-blood thirsted; He fumed and
chafed that one so great Should by two babes be worsted, And straightway sought ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/v ein neues lied wir.htm

Worsted (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Worsted (1 Occurrence). 2 ... corrupt. For a man is the
slave of any one by whom he has been worsted in fight. (WEY). ...
/w/worsted.htm - 7k

Stuff (49 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) Woven material not made into garments; fabric of any kind; specifically,
any one of various fabrics of wool or worsted; sometimes, worsted fiber. ...
/s/stuff.htm - 23k

Nicanor (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Maccabees mentions that Simon, Judas' brother, was worsted in a first engagement
(14:17), omits the battle of Capharsalama, and represents Nicanor, struck ...
/n/nicanor.htm - 14k

Worst (8 Occurrences)

/w/worst.htm - 8k

Worth (36 Occurrences)

/w/worth.htm - 17k

Reel (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A machine on which yarn is wound and measured into lays and hanks, -- for
cotton or linen it is fifty-four inches in circuit; for worsted, thirty inches ...
/r/reel.htm - 9k

Rash (18 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A fine eruption or efflorescence on the body, with little or no elevation.
4. (n.) An inferior kind of silk, or mixture of silk and worsted. ...
/r/rash.htm - 12k

End (3706 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) That which is left; a remnant; a fragment; a scrap; as, odds and ends. 6.
(n.) One of the yarns of the worsted warp in a Brussels carpet. ...
/e/end.htm - 17k

Damask (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) A heavy woolen or worsted stuff with a pattern woven in the same way as
the linen damask; -- made for furniture covering and hangings. ...
/d/damask.htm - 7k

Caddis
... They are a favorite bait with anglers. Called also caddice worm, or caddis worm.
2. (n.) A kind of worsted lace or ribbon. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/c/caddis.htm - 6k

Worsted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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