Weaving: Weaver's Shuttle
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Weaving is an ancient craft mentioned several times in the Bible, reflecting its significance in the daily life and economy of biblical times. The process of weaving involves interlacing threads to create fabric, a skill that was essential for producing garments, tents, and other textiles. The Bible often uses weaving as a metaphor to convey deeper spiritual truths and human experiences.

Weaver's Shuttle

The weaver's shuttle is a tool used in the weaving process to carry the weft thread back and forth across the warp threads on a loom. This tool is mentioned in the Book of Job, where it serves as a poignant metaphor for the brevity and fleeting nature of human life. In Job 7:6 , Job laments, "My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle; they come to an end without hope." Here, the rapid movement of the shuttle across the loom illustrates how quickly life passes, emphasizing the transient nature of human existence.

The imagery of the weaver's shuttle in Job underscores the theme of human mortality and the inevitability of life's end. It reflects the broader biblical perspective that life is temporary and that individuals should live with an awareness of their mortality, seeking wisdom and understanding from God.

Weaving in Biblical Context

Weaving was a common occupation in ancient Israel, and the Bible provides several references to the craft. Skilled weavers were responsible for creating the intricate fabrics used in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Exodus 35:35 highlights the God-given skill of Bezalel and Oholiab, who were endowed with the ability to "do every kind of craft" including weaving, for the construction of the Tabernacle.

The Proverbs 31 woman is also described as engaging in weaving, illustrating her industriousness and capability. Proverbs 31:13 states, "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands," indicating her involvement in the production of textiles for her household.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

Weaving, as depicted in the Bible, often carries symbolic meaning. The intricate and deliberate process of weaving can be seen as a metaphor for God's providence and the unfolding of His divine plan. Just as a weaver carefully interlaces threads to create a beautiful tapestry, so God weaves together the events of human history and individual lives to fulfill His purposes.

The metaphor of weaving also serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the community of believers. Just as individual threads are woven together to form a single piece of fabric, so are believers called to unity and cooperation within the body of Christ.

In summary, weaving and the weaver's shuttle in the Bible provide rich imagery that conveys the brevity of life, the skill and artistry of God's creation, and the importance of unity and purpose within the community of faith.
Nave's Topical Index
Job 7:6
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew
708. ereg -- a loom
... beam, weaver's shuttle. From 'arag; a weaving; a braid; also a shuttle -- beam,
weaver's shuttle. see HEBREW 'arag. 707, 708. ereg. 709 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/708.htm - 6k
Library

What Lasts
... effete. What would the hand-loom weaver's knowledge of how to throw his shuttle
be worth in a weaving-shed with a thousand looms? Just ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/what lasts.htm

A Look Ahead
... The other two groups make up the shuttle threads, running ... All the weaver sees is
the apparent tangle of many ... directions the better a piece of weaving work is ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/1 a look ahead.htm

The Valleys --Experiences of Suffering and Sacrifice
... The weaver we were speaking of finds some strange shuttle-threads to be ... Only He can
change the weaving into beauty, where the ugly slimy sin-threads have ...
/.../quiet talks on following the christ/3 the valleysexperiences of suffering.htm

Resources
Who was Origen of Alexandria? | GotQuestions.org

What is Vajrayana Buddhism? | GotQuestions.org

Was Goliath one of the Nephilim? | GotQuestions.org

Weaving: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Weaving

Weaving of Coats

Weaving of the Ephod

Weaving: Beam

Weaving: Bezaleel Skilled In

Weaving: General Scriptures Concerning

Weaving: Performed by Women

Weaving: Weaver's Shuttle

Related Terms

Yah (40 Occurrences)

Kissed (26 Occurrences)

Sisters (20 Occurrences)

Sixteen (24 Occurrences)

Shouldn't (20 Occurrences)

Valuation (22 Occurrences)

Kiriath (34 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Sidonians (16 Occurrences)

Vomit (12 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Youngest (26 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Shone (27 Occurrences)

Sows (18 Occurrences)

Virgins (33 Occurrences)

Hamor (13 Occurrences)

Zebedee (11 Occurrences)

Spears (25 Occurrences)

Kenaz (11 Occurrences)

Quench (14 Occurrences)

Skies (36 Occurrences)

Spider (3 Occurrences)

Sowed (20 Occurrences)

Spreads (31 Occurrences)

Sickle (13 Occurrences)

Village (21 Occurrences)

Quenched (22 Occurrences)

Skins (27 Occurrences)

Sigh (18 Occurrences)

Kills (38 Occurrences)

Quietness (15 Occurrences)

Kish (18 Occurrences)

Vanities (14 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Knit (11 Occurrences)

Kohath (30 Occurrences)

Stagger (20 Occurrences)

Spied (14 Occurrences)

Snares (24 Occurrences)

Showers (20 Occurrences)

Zeruiah (25 Occurrences)

Sorry (27 Occurrences)

Younger (39 Occurrences)

Knee (12 Occurrences)

Ziklag (13 Occurrences)

Kohathites (18 Occurrences)

Kin (18 Occurrences)

Visitation (17 Occurrences)

Yesterday (13 Occurrences)

Spy (27 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zealous (40 Occurrences)

Zur (9 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Quake (23 Occurrences)

Kindnesses (11 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Skillful (42 Occurrences)

Keilah (16 Occurrences)

Vows (38 Occurrences)

Shovels (9 Occurrences)

Skillfully (12 Occurrences)

Snared (11 Occurrences)

Shobal (9 Occurrences)

Spoons (11 Occurrences)

Stablish (12 Occurrences)

Shot (25 Occurrences)

Valleys (38 Occurrences)

Visited (40 Occurrences)

Vinegar (11 Occurrences)

Skirt (16 Occurrences)

Shows (42 Occurrences)

Signet (21 Occurrences)

Weaving: Performed by Women
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