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Bible Dictionaries
Embroider
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
or shaabats (Exodus 28:39). Rather "weave in diaper work," the tissue of threads of one color being diapered in checkers (tesselated cavities) or small figures; but "the girdle of needlework" ("work of the embroiderer".) The embroiderer worked with a needle his design in stitches of colored thread, or in colored pieces of cloth sewn upon the groundwork. In Exodus 26:1, "the tabernacle curtains with cherubims of cunning work," rather "of the work of the skilled weaver"; chosheeb , one who thinks and counts. The figures of cherubim were to be worked in the loom as in tapestry work, but the hangings or entrance curtains for the tent were to be embroidered with the needle (Exodus 26:36), "wrought with needlework"; roqem , "the needleworker," "the work of the embroiderer" (Exodus 35:35; Exodus 38:23).
Smith's Bible Dictionary makes the riqmah woven texture without gold thread, and therefore without figures; chosheb that with gold thread, which was employed to delineate figures as the cherubim; chosheb involving the idea of designing patterns (Exodus 27:16; Exodus 36:8; Exodus 36:35; Exodus 36:37; Exodus 38:18; Exodus 39:2; Exodus 39:5; Exodus 39:8; Exodus 39:29). He makes needlework embroidery a later invention of Phrygia (so Pliny, 8:48). But Septuagint favor KJV Pliny's authority weighs nothing against many proofs that, embroidery was known in Egypt and there learned by many Israelites (Exodus 35:30-35; 1 Chronicles 4:21). Babylon was early famed for garments of varied color attracting the eye, such as Achan coveted (Joshua 7:21). In Egypt the very sails were so ornamented (Wilkinson, 3:210; Ezekiel 27:7; Ezekiel 27:23-24). Assyria too was famed for such embroidery.
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Fausset, Andrew R. Entry for 'Embroider'. Fausset's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/fbd/e/embroider.html. 1949.
