5. Pottery

Information concerning the potter's art is quite full through the rich results of the excavations at Tell el-Hesy. From about 1400 B.C. can be traced the influence exercised by the art of Mycenae, through the medium of Phenicians from Cyprus, upon the rude art of the Canaanites. This appears in the engraved and stamped patterns, consisting of wave lines, crosses, straight lines, curves, etc., and also in the painted decorations in the style of Mycenae; geometric figures (circles, wave lines, etc.) and representations of birds and ibexes, all executed in the very best manner. In the early Israelitic period Phenician influence is dominant both in the form and in the style of decoration. Later, about 700 B.C., Greek influence asserts itself and brilliant yellowish-brown or black ware is found, usually decorated with concentric circles. It is, of course, difficult to determine what was made by the Israelites in their villages and what was brought in by Phenician merchants, but it is known that the Israelites quickly assimilated this art. The prophets took their metaphors from the potter's art, and they speak of kneading the clay (Jer. xviii.6),which was trodden by the feet (Isa. xli. 25), and of the potter's wheel, upon which the vessel was formed (Jer. xviii. 3). This wheel, as its name (obhnayim, dual) indicates, consisted of two disks, which revolved

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one above the other. It was worked by the feet (Ecclus. xxxviii. 29).

6. The Stone-Ccutter.

The stone-cutter (harash ebhen) was also a builder. He undertook the entire construction of the house. As is shown by the excavations, the dwelling-houses were always small huts, with walls made of mud-bricks or of unhewn stones roughly built up; even in the principal cities walls built of hewn stones were rare. As tools of the stonecutter, in addition to the hammer and chisel, the level (II Kings xxi. 13; Heb. mishkeleth, Eng. versions, "line"), the line (Isa. xxviii. 17, and elsewhere), and the plummet (Amos vii. 7) are mentioned.

The Carpenter.

The carpenter (harash `ez) is entrusted with the fabrication of all wooden articles for the household, and also plows, threshing-carts, winnowing-shovels, and the like. Some were able to execute fine work and carved images of the gods (cf. Isa. xl. 20, xliv. 13-14). They worked with saws (Isa. x.15), axes, and hatchets (Deut. xix. 5), planes (Isa. xliv. 13), hammers (Isa. xliv.12), and compasses (Isa. xliv. 13); line and rule are also mentioned (Isa. xliv. 13).

8. Weaving.

Weaving was mostly done at home; finer fabrics were brought from abroad. The oldest method of weaving is still used by the Bedouins; threads are stretched lengthwise along the ground and the cross-thread is pushed through with the fingers; the web is pushed together with a wooden reed. The Egyptians had two kinds of looms, and they were also known in Palestine. In the Middle Empire the loom is horizontal, the beams are fastened to the ground, and the weavers crouch down in working. This kind of loom is suggested in the story of Samson, where Delilah weaves his hair into the warp while he sleeps (Judges xvi. 13-14). In the New Empire the loom is upright; above and below are Stationary beams; the weavers stood and wove from the bottom upward. Greek sources present a third kind of loom, in which the long threads of the warp hung from a beam above, held taut by stones attached to the ends; in this loom the weaving was from above downward. Many such stones have been found in the excavations, and suffice to show that this type of loom existed in Palestine. As early as ancient Egyptian looms, the shifting of the even and uneven threads of the warp, which must lie alternately above and below the woof, was accomplished as follows: the uneven threads were bound by strings to a stick so that they could be lifted up together; the thread of the woof was fastened to another stick and pushed through the warp. How early the shuttle (Job vii. 6) came into use, is not known. Variegated garments, striped or checked, were admired by the Israelites and in Syria generally.

9. Other Trades.

It is only by chance that the tanners and dyers are not mentioned among other artisans in the Old Testament. Bakers are found only in the cities, in the country baking being done at home. The fullers have a certain importance, but also a bad repute. They made woolen fabrics waterproof by felting the wool and also cleaned old clothes. They were forced to exercise their trade outside of the city of Jerusalem on account of the bad odors produced and because a good supply of water was needed (Isa. vii. 3).

I. Benzinger.

Bibliography: F. Delitzsch, Jüdisches Handwerkerleben our Zeit Jesu, Erlangen, 1875, Eng. transl., Jewish Artisan Lift, London, 1877, Philadelphia 1883, New York, 1883; H. Winckler, in Alttestamentliche Forschungen, eipsic, 1892. P. Rieger, Verauch einer Tschnologis and Termi nologie der Handwerke in der Misnah, Berlin, 1894; E. Day, Social Life of the Hebrews, New York, 1901; DB, iv. 807; ED, articles "Handicrafts," .. Metals," .` Pot _ .. Weaving."