Topical Bible: Goat: Hair of, Used for Clothing

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In biblical times, the hair of goats was a valuable resource, particularly in the ancient Near East, where it was commonly used for making clothing and other textiles. The use of goat hair is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, highlighting its significance in the daily life and religious practices of the Israelites.

The most notable reference to goat hair in the Bible is found in the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wanderings in the wilderness. In Exodus 25-40, detailed instructions are given for the construction of the Tabernacle, including the use of goat hair for the curtains. Exodus 26:7 states, "You are to make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven curtains in all." This indicates the importance of goat hair as a durable and practical material for creating the coverings of the sacred space.

Goat hair was prized for its strength and resilience, making it an ideal material for weaving into fabric. The hair was typically spun into yarn and then woven into cloth, which could be used for various purposes, including garments, tents, and other coverings. The process of spinning and weaving goat hair was a skilled craft, often carried out by women in the community.

In addition to its practical uses, goat hair held symbolic significance in the biblical narrative. The use of goat hair in the Tabernacle's construction can be seen as a reflection of the Israelites' reliance on God's provision, as they utilized the resources available to them in the wilderness. The choice of goat hair, a humble and readily available material, underscores the theme of God's presence and guidance in the midst of the Israelites' journey.

The use of goat hair for clothing and other textiles is also indicative of the pastoral lifestyle of the ancient Israelites. As a people who often lived in close connection with their flocks, the Israelites would have had ready access to goat hair, making it a practical choice for their needs. This connection to their livestock is further emphasized in the biblical narrative, where goats and sheep are frequently mentioned as symbols of wealth and sustenance.

Overall, the use of goat hair in biblical times reflects both the practical and spiritual dimensions of the Israelites' lives. It served as a vital resource for clothing and shelter, while also carrying deeper symbolic meanings within the context of their faith and relationship with God.

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Numbers 31:20
And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood.
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Library

Letter cxxx. To Demetrias.
... beds of down, spread a rug of goat's hair upon the ... the rest my cell, my food and
clothing, my advanced ... You rubbed your cheeks with rouge and used whitelead to ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxx to demetrias.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... Wisdom used him to sing her praise, [424] and ... Some clothe themselves in goat's hair,
and, putting on hoods ... Their curling hair shows traces of the tongs; their ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... the roundness of the ends of their hair, beyond the ... and their king under the figure
of a he-goat. ... expression en horasei, in semblance, which is used twice in ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the three woe trumpets.htm

The Cocal
... tree of South America whose bark may be used as a ... of the reappearance, under the
black skin and woolly hair, of some ... was not an owl, but a large goat-sucker, a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xiii the cocal.htm

On the Clause, and Shall Come in Glory to Judge the Quick and the ...
... lying wonders [1875] ; implying, that Satan has used him as an ... the sheep, and the
hairy and rough skin the goat? ... like Esau, who was rough with hair, and wicked ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xv on the clause.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... Isis cut off her hair, rent her garments, and set out ... in need of help, whereas the
horse is used for the ... to the hungry, water to the thirsty, clothing to the ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... Lyco, Busyris, Thmuis, which is, being interpreted, a he-goat. ... the monks in their
cells, at first used the same ... that we must not deviate a hair's breadth from ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... The hair was inclined to be wavy, and even to ... scraped nearly raw by the operation,
he used to cover ... herself in cooking and weaving, making clothing and perfumes ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... had to make a detour by narrow goat-tracks, along ... Some of the women arranged their
hair after the ... a background of embroidered stuff, was frequently used as a ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the ...
... then must it be a fearful mark of a reprobate goat (Hebrews 2 ... bones, the shortness
of thy sleep, and every grey hair, as so ... (Daniel 4:27.) Nathan used but one ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations on the hindrances which.htm