Leather in Scripture is mostly about what animals give to people. God himself makes “coats of skins” for Adam and his wife after they leave Eden (Genesis 3:21). The prophet Elijah is recognized by his clothing, a hairy man “girt with a girdle of leather” (2 Kings 1:8). In Joppa, Peter stays for many days with Simon, a tanner, whose trade is working hides (Acts 9:43). The law of the offerings also says what to do with a bullock’s hide after a sacrifice (Leviticus 8:17). Only one verse uses the word itself, so these passages are best read one at a time. Start with Genesis 3:21.
4 verses
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
But the bullock, and his hide, his flesh, and his dung, he burnt with fire without the camp; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
Matthew George Easton, 1897
A girdle of, worn by Elijah (2 Kings 1:8) and John the Baptist (Matt. 3:4). Leather was employed both for clothing (Num. 31:20; Heb. 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.
William Smith, 1884
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.