Polymitarius

POLYMITARIUS, or Polimitarius. This Term is found in several Places of the Vulgat, as Exodus xxxv. 35. xxxvi. 35. xxxviii. 23. xxxix. 3. It answers to the Hebrew Word Chosheb,¹ which properly signifies a Workman that contrives and labours with his Mind and Imagination. It appears by examining the Passages where it is found, that it signifies a Workman in Tapestry, one that makes Veils of several Colours, and Webs of different Threads. This is the true Signification of Polymitarius, which is derived from the Greek, and which literally signifies one that works in several Colours, as Weavers of Tapestry, and Turkey Carpets. These Works are also call’d Phrygia, Phrygionica, Babylonica, Alexandrina, and even Plumaria, because of the Resemblance of the Arts of Embroidery and Tapestry.

It appears from Moses, that the Makers of Tapestry Polymitarii, who worked for the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, made use not only of Wool of the Colour of Purple, Hyacinth, Azure, and Crimson, but also of gold Thread. Incidit bracteas aureas, & Ex. xxxix. 3, 9.extendit in fila, ut possent torqueri cum priorum colorum subtegmine. We cannot know exactly how they drew their Gold into Threads; but there is no Room to doubt, but that Gold Thread was made use of, in the Embroidery of the High-Priest’s Pectoral.

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