Leather

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.

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.

LEATH'ER was used by the Jews for clothing, Job 31:20; Heb 11:37; for covering, Ex 26:14; for girdles, 2 Kgs 1:8; Matt 3:4, etc.; but the trade of the tanner, probably learnt in Egypt, where it was highly developed, was not held in high esteem.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The skin of an animal, or some part of such skin, tanned, tawed, or otherwise dressed for use; also, dressed hides, collectively.

2. The skin. [Ironical or Sportive]

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To beat, as with a thong of leather. [Obs. or Colloq.] G. Eliot.