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Silk in the Bible

The only undoubted notice of silk in the Bible occurs in Rev.18:12, where it is mentioned among the treasures of the typical Babylon. It is, however, in the highest degree probable that the textile was known to the Hebrews from the time that their commercial relations were extended by Solomon.

The well-known classical name of the substance does not occur in the Hebrew language.

 

Woven Silk Terminology

 Brocade – A rich fabric with a raised, textured pattern - usually a twill weave over a satin background.

China Silk – Inexpensive silk used as apparel lining.

Damask – A reversible patterned weave descended from fabrics made in Damascus during the middle ages.

Linen Silk – A blend of linen and silk with a greater tendency to wrinkle but a more massive drape.

Peau de Soie – A soft silk of high quality; reversible, with a dull finish on one face.

Silk Satin – A dense floating weave with a lustrous face and dull back. Expensive because of the high quality of silk fiber needed.

Taffeta – A faintly ribbed plain weave with a stiffness that contributes shape and body.


 

The Silk Luster

Silk in the gum does not possess high luster, but after the gum is removed it has a soft, fine luster. This fact is an important one in the manufacture of satins, the beauty of which lies in unbroken sheen.

Long reeled-silk fibers lie flat, lengthwise on the right side of the cloth, with only occasional interlacing with the filling or crosswise yarns.

 

Strength of Silk

Silk has the greatest strength of any of the natural textile fabrics - that is, of fibers of the same diameter. Silk is weaker when wet than when dry, but its original strength returns when it dries. Silk will stand even pulling better than it will a sudden, severe strain.

Silk is very elastic - more so than linen or cotton. In fact, silk will stretch from 1/5 to 1/7 of its length before breaking. Silk is like a fine rubber band; it has great resiliency. Garments made of silk keep their shape and do not wrinkle badly.

Silk is a poor conductor of heat. For this reason garments made of this textile are warmer than cotton or linen. Silk holds heat near the body, keeping it warm. Weighted silks are better conductors of heat than pure-dye silks because the metal weighting in them conducts the heat away from the body. The strange and important fact is that silk can absorb a great deal of moisture and still feel comparatively dry. Silk absorbs perspiration and oil from the skin, but it sheds dirt easily and readily; it is a "sanitary textile."

Silk has a natural affinity for dye. Probably the chief reason is that silk fiber has good penetrability. Basic, acid, and direct dyestuffs all are used on silks. Cotton and linen do not have so good an affinity for dye as silk.

 

 

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