Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LEATHER

The raw material for many commonly used products in ancient times, including belts, shoes, boots, and sandals (Ezek. 16:10). John the Baptist wore a leather belt (Matt. 3:4; Mark 1:6), as did Elijah (2 Kgs. 1:8). Hides of animals with the holes sewn up held milk, water, and wine (Judg. 4:19; Gen. 21:14; Mark 2:22), and other leather containers stored oil for cooking, toiletry items, medicine, and fuel for lamps. Frequently beds and chairs were made of leather, and the wall hangings of the tabernacle were leather (Exod. 25:5; Num 4:8). Military equipment included leather helmets, shields, slings, and quivers, and the care of these products included rubbing oil on the leather surface (2 Sam. 1:21; Isa. 21:5).

Leather production is implied in the Bible (Exod. 25:5; Lev. 13:48). Hair and flesh were scraped from the animal skin, which was then treated for flexibility and water-proofing. The quickly degenerating leather has left few archaeological artifacts. One exception is the Dead Sea Scrolls. The scroll of Isaiah consists of 17 sheets of leather sewn together to form a piece measuring almost 7 m. (23 ft.). Paul’s parchments (2 Tim. 4:13) were probably vellum on which was written OT Scriptures.

Bibliography. R. J. Forbes, “Leather in Antiquity,” in Studies in Ancient Technology, 3rd ed., 5 (Leiden, 1993), 1-79.

Dennis Gaertner

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LEATHER

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)