Wool

Wool fiber, made from the hair of sheep, was an important product of the ancient Near East.

King Mesha of Moab, a sheep breeder, sent the wool of 100,000 rams as tribute to King Ahab of Israel each year (2 Kings 3:4). The people of Damascus traded wool with Tyre’s merchants (Ezekiel 27:18). Woolen garments were commonly worn by the Israelites (Leviticus 13:47–59; Isaiah 51:8; Hosea 2:5, 9). Woolen garments mingled with linen fabric were forbidden (Deuteronomy 22:11). In fact, wearing any wool was prohibited for Israelite priests serving in the sanctuary’s inner court (Ezekiel 44:17).

Wool is sometimes a biblical symbol for whiteness and purity. It is a simile for:

• redemption (Isaiah 1:18),

• the hair of the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9), and

• the hair and head of the Son of Man (Revelation 1:14).

See also Cloth and Cloth Manufacturing.