In biblical times, wrappings were commonly used for various purposes, including clothing, burial, and protection of valuable items. The concept of wrappings is mentioned in several contexts throughout the Bible, reflecting both practical and symbolic significance.

Clothing and Garments

Wrappings were often used as garments in ancient Israel. The Israelites wore tunics, cloaks, and other garments that were essentially pieces of cloth wrapped around the body. In Genesis 37:3, Joseph's "robe of many colors" given by his father Jacob is an example of a special garment that held significant meaning. Clothing in biblical times was not only functional but also a symbol of status and identity.

Burial Practices

One of the most notable uses of wrappings in the Bible is in burial practices. In John 11:44, when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, it is noted that "the man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth." This reflects the Jewish custom of wrapping the deceased in linen cloths for burial, a practice that underscored respect and care for the dead.

Similarly, the burial of Jesus is described in John 19:40: "Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs." The use of linen wrappings, along with spices, was a sign of honor and reverence.

Symbolic Significance

Wrappings also carry symbolic meanings in the Bible. In Isaiah 61:10, the prophet speaks of being clothed with "garments of salvation" and "a robe of righteousness," using the imagery of clothing to convey spiritual truths. This metaphorical use of wrappings highlights the transformation and covering provided by God's salvation and righteousness.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul uses the imagery of clothing to describe the Christian life. In Colossians 3:12, believers are instructed to "put on" virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, as if they were garments. This metaphor suggests that just as physical wrappings cover and protect the body, spiritual virtues should envelop and define the believer's life.

Protection and Preservation

Wrappings were also used for the protection and preservation of valuable items. In Matthew 13:44, Jesus tells the parable of the hidden treasure, where a man finds a treasure in a field and hides it again. While the text does not explicitly mention wrappings, the act of hiding and protecting valuable items was common, often involving wrapping them for safekeeping.

In the context of the Tabernacle and Temple, sacred objects were carefully wrapped and transported to ensure their protection and sanctity. Numbers 4:5-6 describes how the Ark of the Covenant was covered with a veil and additional layers of cloth before being transported, emphasizing the care and reverence given to holy items.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, wrappings serve both practical and symbolic purposes, reflecting cultural practices and conveying deeper spiritual truths. Whether in the context of clothing, burial, or protection, the use of wrappings illustrates the importance of care, respect, and the transformative power of God's provision and righteousness.2750. keiria -- a bandage, grave-clothes
... grave clothes. Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition a bandage,
grave-clothes NASB Word Usage wrappings (1). graveclothes. Of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2750.htm - 6k

3608. othonion -- a piece of fine linen
... wrapping. Word Origin dim. of othone Definition a piece of fine linen NASB
Word Usage linen wrappings (5). linen clothes. Neuter ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3608.htm - 6k

The Divine Word
... Again, the Word is also like a most beautiful infant, about which, except the face,
there are wrappings upon wrappings; the infant itself is in the inmost ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part fourththe divine word.htm

Three Important Precepts
... A good many things are sold nowadays by means of pretty wrappings, and in the same
way worthless doctrines are spread by the fine style in which they are done ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/three important precepts.htm

In Death and after Death
... to the funeral rites, the burning of spices at the grave, and the depositing of
money and valuables in the tomb, but even to luxury in the wrappings of the ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 10 in death and.htm

Of the Full Narration to be Employed in Catechising.
... have been ranked so remarkably among the exact turning-points (of the history);
[1345] that, instead of exhibiting them to view only in their wrappings, if we ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 3 of the full narration.htm

Of the Method in which Grammarians and Professional Speakers are ...
... nor suppose that the words or deeds of men, of which we read the accounts in those
books, involved and covered as they are in carnal wrappings, [1388] are not ...
/.../augustine/on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 9 of the method in.htm

Ezekiel's Discourse
... These were thy traffickers in choice wares, in wrappings of blue and broidered work,
and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords and made of cedar, among ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii ezekiels discourse.htm

Chapter xx.
... ought to set a high value upon, both because they lie hid in a secret place, are
as it were brought up out of the deep, and are found in wrappings of allegory ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xx 2.htm

How the Appointment was Kept.
... Gazing reverently, intently, in through the opening John sees, not a body, but on
the spot where the body had been laid, the linen wrappings lying, held up in ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/how the appointment was kept.htm

"Why Weepest Thou?"
... body. As the angel from heaven rolled away the stone, the other entered
the tomb, and unbound the wrappings from the body of Jesus. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 82 why weepest thou.htm

Against vigilantius.
... as being superstitious are: (1) the reverence paid to the relics of holy men by
carrying them round the church in costly vessels or silken wrappings to be ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against vigilantius.htm

Wrappings (7 Occurrences)
...Wrappings (7 Occurrences). ... (See NAS). John 11:44 He who was dead came out, bound
hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. ...
/w/wrappings.htm - 8k

Wraps (6 Occurrences)

/w/wraps.htm - 8k

Knotted (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:24 These were your traffickers in choice wares, in wrappings of blue
and embroidered work, and in chests of rich clothing, bound with cords and made ...
/k/knotted.htm - 7k

Unbind (2 Occurrences)
... Unbind (2 Occurrences). John 11:44 He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot
with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. ...
/u/unbind.htm - 7k

Wrapped (40 Occurrences)
... NIV). John 11:44 He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings,
and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus ...
/w/wrapped.htm - 18k

Wrapping (3 Occurrences)

/w/wrapping.htm - 7k

Fabric (8 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:24 These were thy traffickers in gorgeous fabrics, in wrappings of blue
and richly woven work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords and ...
/f/fabric.htm - 9k

Traded (16 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:24 these traded with thee in sumptuous clothes, in wrappings of blue
and broidered work, and in chests full of variegated stuffs, bound with cords ...
/t/traded.htm - 11k

Traffickers (9 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:24 These were your traffickers in choice wares, in wrappings of blue
and embroidered work, and in chests of rich clothing, bound with cords and made ...
/t/traffickers.htm - 9k

Tightly (14 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:24 These were your traffickers in choice wares, in wrappings of blue
and embroidered work, and in chests of rich clothing, bound with cords and made ...
/t/tightly.htm - 10k

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