WOOL (Heb. עֲמַר, H10556, צֶ֫מֶר, H7547; ἔριον, G2250, wool). The sheep in Pal. were sometimes black or brown, a recessive trait providentially appearing more frequently in Jacob’s flocks than would be expected by normal Mendelian heredity (Gen 31:10). The wool was occasionally dyed scarlet (Heb 9:19). Shearing in one piece gave a desirable fleece which was washed first in the brook and later with soap to make it nearly snow white. Following the cleansing the usual carding, spinning, and weaving occurred. Some wool from the tanneries was stuffed into mattresses and quilts instead after being removed by slaked lime. (ISBE, Vol. 5, 3104, James A. Patch.)

The wool was woven into outer garments, never mixed with linen (Deut 22:11); this was esp. true of priests (Lev 19:19). A good wife “seeks wool and flax” (Prov 31:13). Wool was a symbol of riches (Ezek 27:19). The king of Moab gave Israel annually “the wool of a hundred thousand rams” (2 Kings 3:4). God’s liberality is poetically phrased, “He gives snow like wool” (Ps 147:16). Israel’s sin was condemned by saying she was like a harlot who receives wool from her lovers (Hos 2:5) but God claims He will recover His wool (Hos 2:9).

In purifying the Tabernacle and its vessels, in addition to blood and water, scarlet wool and hyssop were used in the sprinkling during the covenant ceremony (Heb 9:19). Probably this wool was scarlet stuff (Num 19:6), burned with the heifer and used in cleansing the leper (Lev 19:6). Part of the first wool was offered to the priests as their due (Deut 18:4). Gideon is famous for putting out the fleece (Judg 6:37). The revilings of men against the righteous will be eaten like the worm eats wool (Isa 51:8).

The whiteness of wool as a symbol of purity is contrasted with the crimson of sins (Isa 1:18) and compared to snow (Ps 147:16) or the hair of the ancient of days (Dan 7:9) who reappears in John’s revelation (Rev 1:14).

Bibliography J. P. Van Haitsma, The Supplanter Undeceived (1941), private printing.