Description and usage
The shuttle was the small device used by the weaver to carry the “woof” (or “weft”) thread from one side of the loom to the other. The shuttle darted quickly across the loom, between the “warp” threads, leaving the woof thread stretched behind. The warp threads then closed over and under the woof thread, holding it in place. In this way another line of thread was added to form the cloth. A skilled weaver caused this to happen quite rapidly, with the shuttle moving back and forth constantly, until a whole piece of cloth was formed. See Cloth manufacture and the illustrations there.
Translation
When Samson was startled from sleep in JDG 16:13; JDG 16:14, he tore apart the various elements of the makeshift loom Delilah had prepared for weaving his hair. These included the “pin,” the “shuttle,” and the “fabric,” into which she had woven Samson’s hair. Some translations (RSV, NIV) inaccurately render the Hebrew word ’ereg as “loom” here.
In JOB 7:6 one day is compared to one swift movement of the shuttle.