Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the term "fuller" refers to a person who was responsible for the cleaning and whitening of cloth, particularly wool. The process of fulling involved several steps, including washing, beating, and treating the fabric to remove oils, dirt, and other impurities. This occupation is mentioned in various contexts within the Bible, highlighting its significance in ancient society.Biblical References: 1. 2 Kings 18:17 : "Then the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh from Lachish with a great army to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They went up and arrived at Jerusalem, and they stood by the aqueduct of the upper pool, which is on the road to the Fuller’s Field." This passage situates the Fuller’s Field as a notable landmark near Jerusalem, indicating the importance of the fuller's trade in the region. 2. Isaiah 7:3 : "Then the LORD said to Isaiah, 'Go out with your son Shear-jashub to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Fuller’s Field.'" Here, the Fuller’s Field is again mentioned as a location for a significant prophetic encounter, underscoring its prominence. 3. Malachi 3:2 : "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap." The reference to "launderer’s soap" (or "fuller's soap" in some translations) metaphorically describes the purifying and cleansing work of God, akin to the fuller's task of cleaning garments. Cultural and Historical Context: The fuller's work was essential in ancient textile production. Wool, a primary material for clothing, required thorough cleaning to be suitable for use. The fulling process involved soaking the wool in water mixed with alkaline substances, such as lye or fuller’s earth, a type of clay. The fabric was then beaten or trodden upon to remove impurities. This labor-intensive process not only cleaned the wool but also thickened and strengthened the fabric, making it more durable. Fullers often worked in designated areas outside city limits due to the unpleasant odors and waste produced during the cleaning process. The Fuller’s Field mentioned in the Bible likely served as such a location, strategically placed near water sources necessary for the fulling process. Symbolism and Theological Significance: In Scripture, the imagery of fulling is used to convey themes of purification and sanctification. Just as a fuller cleanses and whitens cloth, God purifies His people, removing the stains of sin and making them holy. This metaphor is particularly evident in Malachi 3:2, where the coming of the Lord is likened to a refiner’s fire and a launderer’s soap, emphasizing the transformative power of divine judgment and grace. The fuller's role, therefore, serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual cleansing, reflecting the biblical theme of God’s desire to purify His people and prepare them for His presence. Easton's Bible Dictionary The word "full" is from the Anglo-Saxon fullian, meaning "to whiten." To full is to press or scour cloth in a mill. This art is one of great antiquity. Mention is made of "fuller's soap" (Malachi 3:2), and of "the fuller's field" (2 Kings 18:17). At his transfiguration our Lord's rainment is said to have been white "so as no fuller on earth could white them" (Mark 9:3). En-rogel (q.v.), meaning literally "foot-fountain," has been interpreted as the "fuller's fountain," because there the fullers trod the cloth with their feet. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) One whose occupation is to full cloth.2. (n.) A die; a half-round set hammer, used for forming grooves and spreading iron; -- called also a creaser. 3. (v. t.) To form a groove or channel in, by a fuller or set hammer; as, to fuller a bayonet. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia FULLERfool'-er (kabhac; literally, "to trample," gnapheus): The fuller was usually the dyer, since, before the woven cloth could be properly dyed, it must be freed from the oily and gummy substances naturally found on the raw fiber. Many different substances were in ancient times used for cleansing. Among them were white clay, putrid urine, and the ashes of certain desert plants (Arabic qali, Biblical "soap"; Malachi 3:2). The fuller's shop was usually outside the city (2 Kings 18:17 Isaiah 7:3; Isaiah 36:2), first, that he might have sufficient room to spread out his cloth for drying and sunning, and second, because of the offensive odors sometimes produced by his processes. The Syrian indigo dyer still uses a cleaning process closely allied to that pictured on the Egyptian monuments. The unbleached cotton is soaked in water and then sprinkled with the powdered ashes of the ishnan, locally called qali, and then beaten in heaps on a flat stone either with another stone or with a large wooden paddle. The cloth is washed free from the alkali by small boys treading on it in a running stream or in many changes of clean water (compare En-rogel, literally, "foot fountain," but translated also "fuller's fountain" because of the fullers' method of washing their cloth). Mark describes Jesus' garments at the time of His transfiguration as being whiter than any fuller on earth could whiten them (Mark 9:3). Greek 1102. gnapheus -- one who cleans woolen cloth ... one who cleans woolen cloth. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: gnapheus Phonetic Spelling: (gnaf-yuce') Short Definition: a fuller, cloth-dresser ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1102.htm - 6k 333. anatheoreo -- to observe carefully 5342. phero -- to bear, carry, bring forth 2046. ereo -- call, say, speak of, tell. 4265. problepo -- to foresee 1840. exischuo -- to have strength enough Strong's Hebrew 3526. kabas -- to wash... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to wash NASB Word Usage fuller's (3), fullers' (1), wash (38), washed (8), washes (1). fuller, washing. ... /hebrew/3526.htm - 6k 53. Abishalom -- "my father is peace," two Israelites 3084. Yehoseph -- Joseph 2744. Charchuwr -- an Israelite 3201. yakol -- to be able, have power 1138. Bunni -- the name of several Israelites Library A Fuller Account of the Errors of Photinus, Apollinaris and ... Lesser and Fuller Forms. Moreover, to Give a Fuller Demonstration of this Point... Of the Characteristics of the Prayer, the Fuller Treatment of ... Letter F Appendix. India as Carey Found It Greatness in the Kingdom The Friend of Men 223 in Nothing Does the Contrast Between Jesus ... The Lambeth Articles, AD 1595. Thesaurus Fuller (5 Occurrences)... This art is one of great antiquity. Mention is made of "fuller's soap" (Malachi 3:2), and of "the fuller's field" (2 Kings 18:17). ... /f/fuller.htm - 10k Fuller's (4 Occurrences) Field (390 Occurrences) Fullers (4 Occurrences) Conduit (5 Occurrences) Ophir (12 Occurrences) Rab-shakeh (14 Occurrences) Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences) Aqueduct (4 Occurrences) Tobit Resources Why are so many young people falling away from the faith? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that you are the head and not the tail in Deuteronomy 28:13? | GotQuestions.org What is the concept of "already but not yet"? | GotQuestions.org Fuller: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Fuller (5 Occurrences)Mark 9:3 Acts 18:26 Colossians 1:10 Ezekiel 36:30 Malachi 3:2 Subtopics Fuller: General Scriptures Concerning Related Terms |
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