King James Bible Dictionary

A girdle of, worn by Elijah (2 Kings 1:8) and John the Baptist (Matthew 3:4). Leather was employed both for clothing (Numbers 31:20; Hebrews 11:37) and for writing upon. The trade of a tanner is mentioned (Acts 9:43; 10:6, 32). It was probably learned in Egypt.

Girdles of
2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4

Tanning of
Acts 9:43; Acts 10:5-6

Called Skin
Genesis 3:21; Mark 1:6

Called Hide
Leviticus 8:17

The notices of leather in the Bible are singularly few; indeed the word occurs but twice in the Authorized Version, and in each instance in reference to the same object, a girdle. (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4) There are, however, other instances in which the word "leather" might with propriety be substituted for "skin." (Leviticus 11:32; 13:48; Numbers 31:20) Though the material itself is seldom noticed, yet we cannot doubt that it was extensively used by the Jews; shoes, bottles, thongs, garments, ropes and other articles were made of it. The art of tanning, however, was held in low esteem by the Jews.

LEATH'ER,

LEATH'ER-COAT, noun An apple with a tough coat or rind.

LEATH'ER-DRESSER, noun One who dresses leather; one who prepares hides for use.

LEATH'ER-JACKET, n A fish of the Pacific ocean.

LEATH'ER-MOUTHED, adjective

By leather-mouthed fish, I mean such as have their teeth in their throat, as the chub.

LEATH'ER-SELLER,

LEATH'ER-WINGED,

LEATH'ERN,

LEATH'ERY,

LEAVE, noun

1. Permission; allowance; license; liberty granted by which restraint or illegality is removed.

No friend has leave to bear away the dead.

David earnestly asked leave of me. 1 Samuel 20:1.

2. Farewell; adieu; ceremony of departure; a formal parting of friends; used chiefly in the phrase to take leave. Acts 18:1.

LEAVE, verb transitive preterit tense and participle passive left. [Gr. Let in English has the sense both of permit and of hinder. The most prominent significations of leave, are to stop or forbear, and to withdraw.]

1. To withdraw or depart from; to quit for a longer or shorter time indefinitely, or for perpetuity. We left Cowes on our return to the United States, May 10, 1825. We leave home for a day or a year. The fever leaves the patient daily at a certain hour. The secretary has left the business of his office with his first clerk.

A man shall leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife. Genesis 2:1.

2. To forsake; to desert; to abandon; to relinquish.

We have left all and followed thee. Mark 10:1.

3. To suffer to remain; not to take or remove.

Let no man leave of it till the morning. Exodus 16:1.

4. To have remaining at death; as, to leave a good name.

5. To commit or trust to, as a deposit; or to suffer to remain. I left the papers in the care of the consul.

6. To bequeath; to give by will. The deceased has left his lands to his sons, but he has left a legacy to his only daughter.

7. To permit without interposition. Of this, he leaves the reader to judge.

8. To cease to do; to desist from; to forbear.

Let us return, lest my father leave caring for the asses and take thought for us. 1 Samuel 9:5.

9. To refer; to commit for decision.

To be left to one's self, to be deserted or forsaken; to be permitted to follow one's own opinions or desires.

To leave off, to desist from; to forbear; as, to leave off work at six o'clock.

1. To leave off, to cease wearing; as, to leave off a garment.

2. To forsake; as, to leave off an old acquaintance.

To leave out, to omit; as, to leave out a word or name in writing.

LEAVE, verb intransitive To cease; to desist.

He began at the eldest and left at the youngest. Genesis 44:12.

To leave off, to cease; to desist; to stop.

But when you find that vigorous heat abate, leave off, and for another summons wait.

LEAVE, verb transitive To raise. [Not used.]