The spindle is an ancient tool used for spinning fibers into thread or yarn, a process essential for textile production. In biblical times, the spindle was a common household implement, particularly in the hands of women who were responsible for making clothing and other fabric goods for their families. The spindle is mentioned in the Bible in the context of industriousness and the virtuous qualities of a diligent woman.

Biblical References:

The most notable reference to the spindle is found in the book of Proverbs, specifically in the description of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. This passage highlights the industrious nature and skill of a woman who contributes to her household through her work with textiles:

"She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers." (Proverbs 31:19)

In this verse, the spindle is paired with the distaff, another tool used in the spinning process. The distaff holds the raw fibers, while the spindle is used to twist these fibers into thread. The imagery of the virtuous woman using these tools underscores her diligence, resourcefulness, and the value of her labor in the household.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, spinning was a vital domestic task, and the spindle was a ubiquitous tool in every household. Women were primarily responsible for spinning, weaving, and producing garments, which were essential for daily life and trade. The spindle, often made of wood or bone, was a simple yet effective tool that allowed for the creation of thread from wool, flax, or other fibers.

The process of spinning required skill and patience, and proficiency in this task was considered a mark of a capable and industrious woman. The reference to the spindle in Proverbs 31 not only highlights the practical skills of the virtuous woman but also serves as a metaphor for her wisdom and industriousness in managing her household.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

The spindle, as mentioned in Proverbs 31, symbolizes diligence, productivity, and the virtuous qualities of a woman who contributes to the well-being of her family through her labor. In a broader sense, the spindle represents the value of hard work and the importance of using one's skills and resources wisely.

The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 is often held up as an ideal for Christian women, embodying qualities such as strength, wisdom, and dedication. Her use of the spindle is a testament to her industrious nature and her commitment to providing for her household. This passage encourages believers to appreciate the value of hard work and the role of women in maintaining and nurturing the family unit.

In summary, the spindle in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of industriousness and the virtuous qualities of a diligent woman, as exemplified in the Proverbs 31 woman. It reflects the cultural and historical significance of textile production in ancient Israel and underscores the timeless value of hard work and resourcefulness.1. (n.) The long, round, slender rod or pin in spinning wheels by which the thread is twisted, and on which, when twisted, it is wound; also, the pin on which the bobbin is held in a spinning machine, or in the shuttle of a loom.

2. (n.) A slender rod or pin on which anything turns; an axis; as, the spindle of a vane.

3. (n.) The shaft, mandrel, or arbor, in a machine tool, as a lathe or drilling machine, etc., which causes the work to revolve, or carries a tool or center, etc.

4. (n.) The vertical rod on which the runner of a grinding mill turns.

5. (n.) A shaft or pipe on which a core of sand is formed.

6. (n.) The fuse of a watch.

7. (n.) A long and slender stalk resembling a spindle.

8. (n.) A yarn measure containing, in cotton yarn, 15,120 yards; in linen yarn, 14,400 yards.

9. (n.) A solid generated by the revolution of a curved line about its base or double ordinate or chord.

10. (n.) Any marine univalve shell of the genus Rostellaria; -- called also spindle stromb.

11. (n.) Any marine gastropod of the genus Fusus.

12. (v. i.) To shoot or grow into a long, slender stalk or body; to become disproportionately tall and slender.

SPINDLE

spin'-d'-l.

See SPINNING.

6418. pelek -- whorl of a spindle, a district
... 6417, 6418. pelek. 6419 . whorl of a spindle, a district. Transliteration:
pelek Phonetic Spelling: (peh'-lek) Short Definition: district. ...
/hebrew/6418.htm - 6k

3601. kishor -- a distaff
... spindle. From kasher; literally, a director, ie The spindle or shank of a distaff
(pelek), by which it is twirled -- spindle. see HEBREW kasher. see HEBREW pelek ...
/hebrew/3601.htm - 6k

Portrait of a Matron
... She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.19.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.20. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/portrait of a matron.htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... that Fortune is blind, because of the uncertainty of what are called fortuitous
occurrences: that there are three Fates, with distaff, and spindle, and fingers ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm

Third Tractate. Are the Stars Causes?
... 9. This brings us to the Spindle-destiny, spun according to the ancients by
the Fates. To Plato the Spindle represents the co-operation ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/third tractate are the stars.htm

Worthy Substitutes.
... PART II. WORTHY SUBSTITUTES. "Get the spindle and thy distaff
ready, and God will send thee flax.". ...
/.../questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/part ii worthy substitutes.htm

Under Ban of the Ritual
... festivities in celebration of her prowess, she laid down pike and falchion,
bull-hide shield and helmet, and took up the chisel and brush, the spindle and loom ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter ii under ban of.htm

Commandments to Women.
... out all the whole night. She stretcheth out her arms for useful work, and
layeth her hands to the spindle. She openeth her hands ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii commandments to women.htm

The Heir Intervenes
... The queen, heretofore meek and self-effacing, laid aside her spindle one day and,
meeting her lord at the door of the council chamber; protested in the name of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxvii the heir intervenes.htm

Epistle Lxxviii. To Barbara and Antonina .
... sent me. For you are seeking praise from the work of others, seeing that
you have perhaps never yet put hand to spindle. Nor yet ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lxxviii to barbara and.htm

The Blessedness of Giving
... Having invented and patented some kind of a crank or spindle used in the cotton
manufacture, and needing capital to start himself in the business of making them ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the blessedness of giving.htm

The Story of Histiaeus.
... Her hands, being thus not required either for the horse or for the vessel, were
employed in spinning, as she walked along, by means of a distaff and spindle. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter x the story of.htm

Spindle (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A slender rod or pin on which anything turns; an axis; as, the spindle
of a vane. ... 7. (n.) A long and slender stalk resembling a spindle. ...
/s/spindle.htm - 8k

Spinning
... was unwound as needed, the fibers more carefully adjusted with the thumbs and two
first fingers of both hands, and then the rope twisted by means of a spindle. ...
/s/spinning.htm - 9k

Spin (4 Occurrences)
... with great exactness. 8. (vi) To move round rapidly; to whirl; to revolve,
as a top or a spindle, about its axis. 9. (vi) To stream ...
/s/spin.htm - 9k

Turn (963 Occurrences)
... repeatedly; to make to change position so as to present other sides in given directions;
to make to face otherwise; as, to turn a wheel or a spindle; to turn ...
/t/turn.htm - 41k

Driver (4 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) An attachment to a lathe, spindle, or face plate to turn a carrier. 7.
(n.) A crossbar on a grinding mill spindle to drive the upper stone. ...
/d/driver.htm - 8k

Distaff (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DISTAFF. dis'-taf (pelekh): This word occurs
once in Proverbs 31:19; "spindle" is found in the same passage. ...
/d/distaff.htm - 7k

Dead (580 Occurrences)
... monk is civilly dead. 15. (a.) Not imparting motion or power; as, the dead
spindle of a lathe, etc. See Spindle. 16. (adv.) To a ...
/d/dead.htm - 80k

Weights (14 Occurrences)
... The largest, of the spindle or barrel type, weighs 1,350 grains, or 87.46 grams,
evidently intended for a 6-shekel weight, and the smaller ones of the same ...
/w/weights.htm - 21k

Measures (50 Occurrences)
... The largest, of the spindle or barrel type, weighs 1,350 grains, or 87.46 grams,
evidently intended for a 6-shekel weight, and the smaller ones of the same ...
/m/measures.htm - 35k

Lays (30 Occurrences)
... place on high. (See RSV). Proverbs 31:19 She lays her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle. (WEB). Ecclesiastes 10 ...
/l/lays.htm - 13k

What should we learn from the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31? | GotQuestions.org

Spindle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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