Bible Dictionary
Leather
Leather was used for clothing, girdles, sandals, thongs, containers, and possibly writing materials. Elijah and John the Baptist are both described as wearing leather girdles, and the New Testament mentions the trade of tanning.
Definition
Leather is treated animal skin prepared for use in clothing and various practical articles. It was used for girdles, shoes, bottles, thongs, garments, ropes, and possibly writing materials.
Biblical Usage
Elijah and John the Baptist are described as wearing leather girdles. Scripture also mentions leather or skin in connection with clothing and materials, while Acts refers to the trade of tanning.
Historical Background
Leatherworking was evidently widely practiced, though the material is seldom named directly. The trade of tanning was held in low esteem by the Jews and was probably learned in Egypt.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A girdle of, worn by Elijah (2 Kings 1:8) and John the Baptist (Matt. 3:4). Leather was employed both for clothing (Num. 31:20; Heb. 11:37) and for writing upon. The trade of a tanner is mentioned (Acts 9:43; 10:6, 32). It was probably learned in Egypt.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
The notices of leather in the Bible are singularly few; indeed the word occurs but twice in the Authorized Version, and in each instance in reference to the same object, a girdle. (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4) There are, however, other instances in which the word “leather” might with propriety be substituted for “skin.” (Leviticus 11:32; 13:48; Numbers 31:20) Though the material itself is seldom noticed, yet we cannot doubt that it was extensively used by the Jews; shoes, bottles, thongs, garments, ropes and other articles were made of it. The art of tanning, however, was held in low esteem by the Jews.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>leth'-er.</p><p>See SKIN; GIRDLE; TANNER.</p>