Embroidery, the art of decorating fabric with needle and thread, holds a significant place in biblical history and culture. This intricate craft is mentioned several times in the Bible, often in the context of the tabernacle, priestly garments, and as a symbol of beauty and craftsmanship.

Biblical References

1. The Tabernacle and Priestly Garments: Embroidery is prominently featured in the construction of the tabernacle and the garments of the high priest. In Exodus 26:36, the Bible describes the entrance curtain of the tent: "You are to make a curtain for the entrance to the tent, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, the work of an embroiderer." Similarly, the ephod worn by the high priest was adorned with skillful embroidery, as detailed in Exodus 28:39: "You are to weave the tunic with fine linen, make the turban of fine linen, and fashion the sash with embroidery."

2. Symbol of Beauty and Wealth: Embroidery is also used metaphorically to describe beauty and wealth. In Ezekiel 16:10, God speaks of adorning Jerusalem: "I clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of fine leather on your feet. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk." This passage highlights the luxurious and esteemed nature of embroidered garments.

3. Craftsmanship and Skill: The Bible acknowledges the skill required for embroidery, often associating it with wisdom and artistic ability. In Exodus 35:35, it is noted that God filled Bezalel and Oholiab with wisdom to perform all kinds of work, including embroidery: "He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen, and as weavers."

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, embroidery was a highly valued craft, often passed down through generations. It was a labor-intensive process that required precision and creativity. The materials used, such as fine linen and colored yarns, were considered luxurious and were often imported, indicating the wealth and status of those who could afford such adornments.

The use of embroidery in the tabernacle and priestly garments underscores its importance in worship and religious ceremonies. The detailed instructions given by God for the construction of these items reflect the significance of beauty and order in worship, as well as the dedication required to create something worthy of divine service.

Theological Significance

Embroidery in the Bible serves as a metaphor for God's care and provision. Just as a skilled embroiderer carefully crafts each stitch, God intricately weaves the lives of His people, adorning them with His grace and righteousness. The beauty of embroidered garments in Scripture often symbolizes the spiritual beauty and purity that God desires for His people.

Furthermore, the use of embroidery in sacred contexts, such as the tabernacle, highlights the idea that beauty and artistry are gifts from God, meant to be used for His glory. The detailed craftsmanship required for embroidery reflects the order and precision of God's creation, reminding believers of the divine nature of creativity and the importance of offering their best to God in worship and service.1. (n.) Needlework used to enrich textile fabrics, leather, etc.; also, the art of embroidering.

2. (n.) Diversified ornaments, especially by contrasted figures and colors; variegated decoration.

EMBROIDERY

em-broid'-er-i (riqrnah; the King James Version Needlework):

Riqmah was applied to any kind of cloth which showed designs in variegated colors. The method of manufacture is unknown. The designs may have been woven into cloth or drawn in by a needle or hook (Judges 5:30 Psalm 45:14 Ezekiel 16:10, 13, 18; Ezekiel 26:16; Ezekiel 27:7, 16, 24).

Ma`aseh raqam is translated "the work of the embroiderer" in the Revised Version (British and American) instead of "needlework" (Exodus 26:36; Exodus 27:16; Exodus 28:39; Exodus 36:37; Exodus 38:18; Exodus 39:29 Judges 5:30 Psalm 45:14).

Raqam, "embroiderer," occurs in Exodus 35:35; Exodus 38:23. The fact that this word is used instead of `aragh, "weaver," would lead us to suppose that the embroiderers' work was either different from that of the weaver or that a "raqam" was especially skilled in fine weaving. Another word, choshebh, is used to describe a skillful weaver. "Cunning work" in the King James Version of Exodus 26:1, 31; Exodus 28:6, 15; 35:33, 15; 36:8, 35; 39:3, 1 is rendered in the American Standard Revised Version "work of the skillful workmen." The passage has been freely rendered "designers."

In the Revised Version (British and American) of Exodus 28:39 shabhats is translated "weave."

In Exodus 28:4 occurs the word tashbets, which is translated "broidered" in the King James Version and "checker work" in the Revised Version (British and American). If this kind of work is what it is supposed to be, it is more truly "needlework" than the embroidery. This work is still done in some of the Syrian cities and towns, especially in Damascus. Small caps for men to wear under their ordinary headdress and loose outer garments or dressing-gowns are the forms in which it is commonly seen. The checker-work effect is obtained by sewing in a cotton string between two pieces of cloth, so as to form designs. The patterns Usually run to straight lines such as zigzags or squares. The effect is striking, and we can well imagine would have made an impressive priest's robe, especially if costly materials were used.

See also CRAFTS.

James A. Patch

7553. riqmah -- variegated stuff
... Word Origin from raqam Definition variegated stuff NASB Word Usage embroidered
(4), embroidered cloth (2), embroidered work (3), embroidery (1), many colors (1 ...
/hebrew/7553.htm - 6k

Deborah's Song
... A damsel, two damsels to every man; To Sisera a spoil of divers colours, A spoil
of divers colours of embroidery, Of divers colours of embroidery on both sides ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iv deborahs song.htm

Devout Customs and Usages
... "The Stole is a strip of silk about three inches wide and eight and a half
feet long, with ends ornamented by embroidery and fringed. ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/devout customs and usages.htm

Marriage of the Blessed virgin to Joseph
... The maidens employed themselves with embroidery and other forms of decoration of
carpets and vestments, and also with the cleaning of these vestments and of ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/vii marriage of the blessed.htm

The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... Above this table was a picture in some sort of embroidery or needlework which hung
like a curtain in front of a kind of little cupboard containing scrolls of ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/iii the presentation of the.htm

The Portrait of the Bride
... consisting in garments gleaming with gold, which suggests splendour and glory, and
partly in robes of careful and many-coloured embroidery, which suggests the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the portrait of the bride.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... or sculptured friezes on the external walls of their buildings; and even then its
employment suggested rather that of a band of embroidery carefully disposed ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

Samuel, the Little Server
... the long months in between, her fingers were busy making him a little coat of a
beautiful blue stuff, sewed with a border of exquisite embroidery, blue and ...
/.../steedman/the babe in the bulrushes/samuel the little server.htm

List of Books for Reference
... "The Congregation in Church." Mowbray & Co., London. "Church Needlework." Lambert.
"Embroidery for Church Guilds." Woodward. "Church Vestments." Dolby. ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/list of books for reference.htm

For State Reasons, the Various Orders of the Citizens Also are ...
... This appellation is given to the crowns which, distinguished by their gems and oak
leaves of gold, they put on, with mantles having an embroidery of palm ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter xiii for state reasons.htm

Victory Over Death.
... It runs like a coloured thread through embroidery, appearing on the upper surface
every now and then in a different shape"a leaf, it may be, or a flower; but ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xvii victory over death.htm

Embroidery (12 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EMBROIDERY. ... If this kind of work is what it is
supposed to be, it is more truly "needlework" than the embroidery. ...
/e/embroidery.htm - 13k

Byssus (40 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Exodus 26:36 And thou shalt make for the entrance of the tent a curtain of
blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined byssus, of embroidery. (DBY). ...
/b/byssus.htm - 19k

Figured (4 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 16:10 And I clothe thee with embroidery, And I shoe thee with badger's skin,
And I gird thee with fine linen, And I cover thee with figured silk. (YLT). ...
/f/figured.htm - 8k

Broidery (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Embroidery. Multi-Version Concordance Broidery (1
Occurrence). Judges 5:30 Are they not finding, are they not dividing the spoil? ...
/b/broidery.htm - 6k

Assyria (124 Occurrences)
... MECHANICS VIII. FURNITURE, POTTERY AND EMBROIDERY IX. LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND SCIENCE
X. GOVERNMENT AND ARMY XI. ... VIII. Furniture, Pottery and Embroidery. ...
/a/assyria.htm - 101k

Entrance (190 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:36 And thou shalt make for the entrance of the tent a curtain of blue,
and purple, and scarlet, and twined byssus, of embroidery. (DBY NIV). ...
/e/entrance.htm - 37k

Needlework (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Work executed with a needle; sewed work; sewing;
embroidery; also, the business of a seamstress. ... See EMBROIDERY. ...
/n/needlework.htm - 14k

Vest (11 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Exodus 28:39 And thou shalt weave the vest of byssus; and thou shalt make
a turban of byssus; and thou shalt make a girdle of embroidery. (DBY). ...
/v/vest.htm - 11k

Worsted (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) Fine and soft woolen yarn, untwisted or lightly twisted, used in knitting
and embroidery. Multi-Version Concordance Worsted (1 Occurrence). ...
/w/worsted.htm - 7k

Work (4564 Occurrences)
... work, or the works, of Addison. (b) Flowers, figures, or the like, wrought
with the needle; embroidery. 5. (n.) Structures in civil ...
/w/work.htm - 12k

Who were Bezalel and Oholiab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Embroidery: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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