SPINNER, SPINNING

Fibers were spun into yarn by women in all periods of Israel’s history, but a class of professional spinners arose alongside them. Women spinners are mentioned in Exodus 35:25-26. Among her other virtues, the good wife of Proverbs 31 engaged in spinning (Prv 31:19). Jesus spoke of the lilies of the field that did not need to spin (Mt 6:28; Lk 12:27).