Bible Encyclopedias
Spin

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(טָוָה, νήθω ). The notices of spinning in the Bible are confined to Exodus 35:25-26; Matthew 6:28; and Proverbs 31:19. The latter passage implies (according to the A.V.) the use of the same instruments which have been in vogue for hand spinning down to the present day, viz. the distaff and spindle. The distaff, however, appears to have been dispensed with, and the term (פֶּלֶךְ ) so rendered means the spindle (q.v.) itself, while that rendered "spindle" (בַּישׁוֹר ) represents the whirl (verticillus, Pliny, 37, 11) of the spindle, a button or circular rim which was affixed to it, and gave steadiness to its circular motion. The "whirl" of the Syrian women was made of amber in the time of Pliny (loc. cit.). The spindle was held perpendicularly in the one hand, while the other was employed in drawing out the thread. The process is exhibited in the Egyptian paintings (Wilkinson, Ancient Egypt. 2, 85). Spinning was the business of women, both among the Jews (Exodus loc. cit.) and for the most part among the Egyptians (Wilkinson, ibid. 2, 84). — Smith. Similar customs have prevailed in most modern nations; hence the word "spinster" for an unmarried female. (See WEAVE).