In biblical times, the process of tanning, which involves treating animal skins to produce leather, was a well-known practice. Leather was a valuable material in the ancient world, used for a variety of purposes including clothing, footwear, and the making of tents and other goods. The Bible provides several references to leather and the tanning process, though it does not describe the process in detail.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 3:21 : "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." This verse is often interpreted to imply the use of animal skins, which would have required some form of tanning to make them suitable for clothing.

2. Acts 9:43 : "And Peter stayed for several days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon." The mention of Simon the tanner indicates the presence of the tanning profession in the New Testament era. Tanners were often located near water sources due to the need for large amounts of water in the tanning process, and they were sometimes marginalized in society due to the odor and perceived uncleanness associated with their work.

3. Leviticus 11:39-40 : "If an animal that you may eat dies, anyone who touches its carcass will be unclean until evening. Anyone who eats from its carcass must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening. And anyone who picks up the carcass must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening." This passage highlights the ritual impurity associated with handling dead animals, which would have been a consideration for tanners in maintaining ceremonial cleanliness.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, leather was an essential material. The process of tanning involved several steps, including soaking the hides, removing hair and flesh, and treating the skins with tannins derived from plant materials. This process made the hides durable and flexible, suitable for various uses.

Tanners often worked on the outskirts of towns due to the unpleasant smells and the need for large amounts of water. Despite the essential nature of their work, tanners were sometimes viewed with disdain because of the association with death and impurity. This is reflected in the fact that Simon the tanner lived by the sea in Joppa, likely to facilitate the disposal of waste and access to water.

Symbolism and Theological Implications:

The use of leather in the Bible can also carry symbolic meanings. For instance, the garments of skin provided by God to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:21 can be seen as a symbol of God's provision and care, even after the Fall. The act of covering their nakedness with animal skins may also foreshadow the sacrificial system, where the shedding of blood was necessary for atonement.

The presence of tanners in the New Testament, such as Simon, whom Peter stayed with, illustrates the inclusivity of the Gospel message. Despite societal views on tanners, Peter's willingness to stay with Simon reflects the breaking down of social barriers and the extension of God's grace to all people, regardless of their occupation or social status.

In summary, while the Bible does not provide extensive details on the tanning process, the references to leather and tanners offer insights into the cultural and religious life of ancient Israel and the early Christian community.(imp. & p. p.) of Tan.

Look not Upon Me Because I am Dark-Colored, Because the Sun Hath ...
... CHAPTER I. 5. Look not upon me because I am dark-colored, because the sun hath tanned
me; my mother's children strove against me; they made me keeper in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/5 look not upon me.htm

"They are not Strangers, Mama"
... she cried out again despairingly: "Don't let me go; they are strangers over there."
She was a little country girl, strong limbed, fleet of foot, tanned in the ...
/.../they are not strangers mama.htm

Simon the Cyrenian
... list of the prophets and teachers in the Church at Antioch, a 'Simon, who is called
Niger' (that is, black, the hot African sun having tanned his countenance ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/simon the cyrenian.htm

Jesus Hanging on the Cross Between Two Thieves.
... of our Lord was fair, like that of Mary, and slightly tinted with red; but his exposure
to the weather during the last three years had tanned him considerably. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xli jesus hanging on.htm

"How Might any Pain be More to Me than to See Him that is all My ...
... The skin of the flesh that shewed (of the face and of the body), was small-rimpled
[68] with a tanned colour, like a dry board when it is aged; and the face ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xvii how might any.htm

Chapter i
... made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.5. Look
not upon me because I am dark-colored, because the sun hath tanned me; my ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter i.htm

The Oratorio of victory.
... The Victors' Chorus rings out its song in chapter fifteen.[20] These have been in
the thickest of the fighting. The smoke of the battle has tanned their faces. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the oratorio of victory.htm

But, Says My Opponent, the Deities are not Inimical to You...
... Is it Apis, born in the Peloponnese, and in Egypt called Serapis? Is it Isis, tanned
by Ethiopian suns, lamenting her lost son and husband torn limb from limb? ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/36 but says my opponent.htm

By the Wayside
... Without mantle or any of the accessories that would show preparation against the
cold, his bare arms and limbs and dark face, tanned, hardy and resolute ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter v by the wayside.htm

Pardoned Sin Punished
... right, if only he were in power; and he will not have the respectful salutation
of inferiors, but grasps every hard hand, and kisses each tanned cheek, with an ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/pardoned sin punished.htm

Tanned (7 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Tan. Multi-Version Concordance Tanned (7 Occurrences). Exodus
25:5 rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, (See RSV). ...
/t/tanned.htm - 8k

Tanner (3 Occurrences)
... tannery. The bated skins are tanned in sumach (Arabic summak), which is
the common tanning material in Syria and Palestine. After ...
/t/tanner.htm - 11k

Bottle (28 Occurrences)
... The primitive bottle among eastern peoples was really a bag made from skins, tanned
or untanned, of kid, goat, cow, camel or buffalo-in most cases drawn off of ...
/b/bottle.htm - 23k

Skin (115 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The hide of an animal, separated from the body, whether green, dry, or tanned;
especially, that of a small animal, as a calf, sheep, or goat. ...
/s/skin.htm - 44k

Drawer (1 Occurrence)
... In the case of a cistern or shallow well, an earthenware water jar or a bucket made
of tanned goats' skin is lowered into the water by a rope and then raised ...
/d/drawer.htm - 11k

Water (4571 Occurrences)
... In the case of a cistern or shallow well, an earthenware water jar or a bucket made
of tanned goats' skin is lowered into the water by a rope and then raised ...
/w/water.htm - 23k

Leather (34 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The skin of an animal, or some part of such skin, tanned, tawed, or otherwise
dressed for use; also, dressed hides, collectively. 2. (n.) The skin. ...
/l/leather.htm - 17k

Wine-skins (7 Occurrences)
... It is then tanned, the hair cut close, turned inside out, and has all the openings
save one closed with cords, when it is ready for use. ...
/w/wine-skins.htm - 10k

Wineskins (7 Occurrences)
... It is then tanned, the hair cut close, turned inside out, and has all the openings
save one closed with cords, when it is ready for use. ...
/w/wineskins.htm - 10k

Tanis

/t/tanis.htm - 6k

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