Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
Most ancient nations knew the art of weaving
The Egyptians were skilled weavers (Gen. 41:42). That the Hebrews brought the art along with them from bondage is clear from the fabrics manufactured in the wilderness: goat-hair covers, linen curtains (Ex. 26:1-13); embroidered raiment (Ex. 28:4,39); woolen garments (Lev. 13:47). Though the loom is not mentioned, its various parts are, as the shuttle, beam (1 Sam. 17:7; 2 Kings 23:7; 1 Chron. 4:21; Job 7:6; Prov. 31:13,24; Isa. 38:12).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
This art was early practiced in Egypt, and though the looms were of the simplest description, some Egyptian productions were very fine. Weaving was known to the Israelites, and by it they produced fine work for the tabernacle and the priests’ robes. A weaver’s beam is often referred to as a heavy thing for a man to use as a weapon (Ex. 28:32; Ex. 35:35; Ex. 39:22,27; 1 Sam. 17:7; Job 7:6, etc). Of the wicked it is said, they “weave the spider’s web.... their webs shall not become garments” (Isa. 59:5-6).
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Transliteration:
macceketh
Meaning:
from 5259 in the sense of spreading out; something expanded, i.e. the warp in a loom (as stretched out to receive the woof)