In the biblical context, cloths hold significant cultural, religious, and practical importance. They are mentioned throughout the Scriptures in various forms, serving as garments, coverings, and symbols of status and ritual purity.

Materials and Types of Cloths

The Bible references several materials used for making cloths, including wool, linen, and more luxurious fabrics like silk. Wool was commonly used due to the abundance of sheep in the region, while linen, made from flax, was prized for its quality and was often used in priestly garments. In Proverbs 31:13, the virtuous woman is described as seeking "wool and flax and working with willing hands."

Garments and Uses

Cloths were used to make a variety of garments, from simple tunics to elaborate robes. In Genesis 37:3, Joseph's "robe of many colors" is a notable example of a garment that signified favor and distinction. Cloths also served practical purposes, such as swaddling clothes for infants, as seen in Luke 2:7, where Mary wraps the newborn Jesus in cloths and lays Him in a manger.

Ritual and Symbolism

Cloths held significant ritual importance in the religious practices of ancient Israel. The high priest's garments, described in Exodus 28, were made of fine linen and adorned with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, symbolizing holiness and divine service. In Leviticus 16:4, the high priest is instructed to wear a linen tunic and undergarments on the Day of Atonement, emphasizing purity and humility.

Cultural Significance

Cloths also played a role in social and cultural contexts. Sackcloth, a coarse material made from goat's hair, was worn as a sign of mourning or repentance. In Jonah 3:6, the king of Nineveh dons sackcloth and sits in ashes as a demonstration of repentance. Conversely, fine garments were a sign of wealth and status, as seen in Luke 16:19, where the rich man is described as wearing "purple and fine linen."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, cloths continue to hold symbolic meaning. The tearing of the temple veil at Jesus' crucifixion (Matthew 27:51) signifies the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. Additionally, in Acts 19:12, cloths that had touched Paul's skin were used to heal the sick, demonstrating the power of faith and the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, cloths are more than mere fabric; they are imbued with cultural, religious, and symbolic significance, reflecting the values and beliefs of the biblical world.(n.) Plural of Cloth.4683. sparganoo -- to wrap in swaddling clothes
... Word Origin from sparganon (a swathing band) Definition to wrap in swaddling clothes
NASB Word Usage wrapped...in cloths (1), wrapped in cloths (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4683.htm - 6k2853. chathal -- perhaps entwine, enwrap
... 2852, 2853. chathal. 2854 . perhaps entwine, enwrap. Transliteration: chathal
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-thal') Short Definition: cloths. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2853.htm - 5k

8438. tola -- worm, scarlet stuff
... voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of shaniy) the crimson-grub, but used
only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cloths dyed therewith ...
/hebrew/8438.htm - 6k

The Resurrection.
... And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first
to the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxii the resurrection.htm

Sunday --The Day of Resurrection.
... And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first
to the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/sundaythe day of resurrection.htm

How a Schoolmaster Became a God.
... The washermen far and near were told to bring cloths of different colours with which
to cover and decorate the car, and payment for them was promised. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter nine how a schoolmaster.htm

How the Appointment was Kept.
... Now Peter comes up, and, just like him, goes straight in, and is at once struck
by the arrangement of these cloths, just as John had been. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/how the appointment was kept.htm

The Empty Tomb.
... And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first
to the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the empty tomb.htm

Whether this Sacrament Ought to be Celebrated in a House and with ...
... Objection 7: Further, just as gold is the most precious among the materials of the
altar vessels, so are cloths of silk the most precious among other cloths. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether this sacrament ought to 2.htm

Angels Announce the Resurrection to Certain Women. Peter and John ...
... that John was younger, and hence more active than Peter] , and came first to the
tomb; 5 and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiv angels announce the resurrection.htm

The Circumcision of Jesus
... She had herself prepared the little cloths to catch the blood and to bandage the
Child and had kept them at her breast in a fold of her mantle. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xii the circumcision of jesus.htm

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah was on this Wise...
... [192] And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling
cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them where they ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section ii the birth of.htm

A New Morning.
... He can see the linen cloths lying; but the body they had encased is clearly not
in them. Peter comes up, and steps at once inside for a closer inspection. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/a new morning.htm

Cloths (16 Occurrences)
...Cloths (16 Occurrences). ... Stooping and looking in, he saw nothing but the linen cloths:
so he went away to his own home, wondering at what had happened. ...
/c/cloths.htm - 10k

Riding-cloths (1 Occurrence)
Riding-cloths. Riding, Riding-cloths. Rie . Multi-Version Concordance
Riding-cloths (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 27:20 Dedan ...
/r/riding-cloths.htm - 6k

Wrappings (7 Occurrences)
... John 19:40 So they took Jesus' body, and bound it in linen cloths with the
spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. (See NAS). ...
/w/wrappings.htm - 8k

Strips (9 Occurrences)
... John 19:40 So they took Jesus' body, and bound it in linen cloths with the
spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. (See NIV). ...
/s/strips.htm - 8k

Linen (111 Occurrences)
... (DBY). John 19:40 So they took Jesus' body, and bound it in linen cloths
with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. (WEB ...
/l/linen.htm - 50k

Riding (30 Occurrences)
... thy remnants. (YLT). Ezekiel 27:20 Dedan was your trafficker in precious
cloths for riding. (WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV). Ezekiel ...
/r/riding.htm - 16k

Towel (5 Occurrences)
... towel. (DBY). John 11:44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped
in cloths, and his face wrapped round with a towel. "Untie ...
/t/towel.htm - 8k

Sees (135 Occurrences)
... from the tomb. (DBY). John 20:5 and stooping down he sees the linen cloths
lying; he did not however go in. (DBY). John 20:6 Simon ...
/s/sees.htm - 35k

Dyeing
... (2) Indigo. Another dye has been discovered among the Egyptian mummy cloths, namely,
indigo. Indigo blue was used in weaving to form the borders of the cloths. ...
/d/dyeing.htm - 14k

Lying (203 Occurrences)
... John 20:5 Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he didn't
enter in. ... He saw the linen cloths lying, (WEB ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/lying.htm - 44k

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Cloths: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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