Yarn
“Collection or gathering (disputed usage)”
Summary
A term appearing in an obscure and textually disputed passage concerning Solomon's trade with Egypt, likely referring to a trading location rather than textile thread.
☩Textual Difficulties
The mention of yarn occurs in an extremely obscure passage describing Solomon's commerce with Egypt. The Hebrew term mikveh appears in translations as 'linen yarn,' but this rendering is highly questionable. The Septuagint gives 'Thekone,' implying a different Hebrew reading, while the Vulgate renders it 'de Coa,' a Latinized form suggesting a place name. The original Hebrew text is problematic because the second occurrence of the word has unusual vowel pointing.
☩Alternative Interpretations
Scholars have proposed various alternatives to the 'yarn' translation. Gesenius suggested the term means 'number' or 'drove,' rendering the passage: 'A band of the king's merchants bought a drove of horses at a price.' Others connect the term to a trading post called Coa on the Egyptian frontier, where royal merchants would have been stationed to procure horses. The translation 'linen yarn' in English versions derives from Jewish interpreters, but lacks strong textual support.
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Yarn," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Yarn," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).