Leather
Artifactsâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Leather was a durable material processed from animal hides used for various utilitarian purposes in antiquity. In biblical contexts, it was frequently used to create belts or girdles worn around the waist.
What is the meaning of Leather in the Bible?
Leather was a durable material processed from animal hides used for various utilitarian purposes in antiquity. In biblical contexts, it was frequently used to create belts or girdles worn around the waist.
SIGNIFICANCE
The use of a leather girdle often served as a cultural marker for asceticism or a specific social status, such as that of a prophet. Identifying these garments helps historians understand the visual identity and social signaling of figures like Elijah and John the Baptist.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Leather in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Leather clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.