Ezekiel 16:10 — Word Study
WLCוָאַלְבִּישֵׁ֣ךְ רִקְמָ֔ה וָאֶנְעֲלֵ֖ךְ תָּ֑חַשׁ וָאֶחְבְּשֵׁ֣ךְ בַּשֵּׁ֔שׁ וַאֲכַסֵּ֖ךְ מֶֽשִׁי׃
BSAI clothedlâbash▸ you in embroidered clothriqmâh [with needlework, broidered work] and gave you sandalsnâʻal▸ of fine leathertachash [badgers' skin, sealskin] I wrappedchâbash▸ you in fine linenshêsh [white linen] and coveredkâçâh▸ you with silkmeshîy [figured silk, expensive garments]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וָאַלְבִּישֵׁ֣ךְ | and I clothed you | Verb hiphil sequential imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
| רִקְמָ֔ה | multicolored cloth | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וָאֶנְעֲלֵ֖ךְ | and I shod you | Verb qal sequential imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
| תָּ֑חַשׁ | leather | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וָאֶחְבְּשֵׁ֣ךְ | and I wrapped head your | Verb qal sequential imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
| בַּשֵּׁ֔שׁ | with fine linen | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וַאֲכַסֵּ֖ךְ | and I covered you | Conjunction, verb piel first person common singular, suffix |
| מֶֽשִׁי׃ | silk | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk. |
| KJV | I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk. |
| ASV | I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with sealskin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and covered thee with silk. |
| YLT | And I clothe thee with embroidery, And I shoe thee with badger's skin, And I gird thee with fine linen, And I cover thee with figured silk. |
| WEB | I clothed you also with embroidered work and put leather sandals on you. I dressed you with fine linen and covered you with silk. |
| BBE | And I had you clothed with needlework, and put leather shoes on your feet, folding fair linen about you and covering you with silk. |
There are no significant differences among the translations for this verse.
The main clause is followed by two additional clauses, each describing the gifts God provided, creating a comprehensive picture of His care.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Ezekiel 16:10
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Provision for His Peoplegenerated
Ezekiel 16:10 describes how God clothed Israel in beautiful garments, symbolizing His care and love for His people. This passage illustrates the intimate relationship between God and Israel, where He provides not only for their physical needs but also adorns them with beauty. The surrounding verses emphasize God's nurturing actions, such as bathing and anointing, which further reflect His commitment to His people.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 16:7 | I made you thrive like a plant of the field. You grew up and matured and became very beautiful. Your breasts were formed and your hair grew, but you were naked and bare. |
| 2 | Psalm 45:13–14 | All glorious is the princess in her chamber; her gown is embroidered with gold. |
| 3 | Isaiah 61:3–10 | to console the mourners in Zion— to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. |
| 4 | Luke 15:22 | But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. |
| 5 | Revelation 21:2 | I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 16 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — רִקְמָ֔ה, rik.Mahgenerated
The Hebrew word רִקְמָה (*rikmah*) refers to multicolored cloth or embroidery, highlighting intricate designs and craftsmanship. It is derived from a root meaning 'to vary in color', which emphasizes the beauty and artistry of the textiles used.
This word appears in contexts related to richly designed garments, such as those worn by priests. In this verse, it signifies the luxurious and detailed clothing that God provided for His people, illustrating His generosity and care.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb, אַלְבִּישֵׁ֣ךְ, and I clothed you, governs the entire verse, with several phrases detailing what God provided: embroidered cloth, sandals, fine linen, and silk. The structure emphasizes the abundance and variety of gifts.
Each phrase builds upon the last, creating a rich tapestry of God's provision. The order of the verbs and objects highlights the care taken in each aspect of clothing and adornment.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates רִקְמָ֔ה as ποικίλα, which means 'variegated' or 'multicolored'. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but emphasizes the diversity of colors and patterns in the garments.
The use of ποικίλα suggests a focus on the artistic quality of the clothing, further underscoring the beauty of what God provided for His people.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ezekiel 16:10 describes how God clothed Israel in beautiful garments, including embroidered cloth and fine leather sandals. This verse highlights God's care and love for His people, showing that He provides not only for their needs but also adorns them with beauty.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The embroidered cloth symbolizes God's care and the beauty He provides for His people, reflecting His love and commitment.
The mention of fine leather sandals signifies not only practicality but also luxury, indicating the high quality of what God provides.
This verse illustrates God's nurturing relationship with Israel, emphasizing His desire to care for them and provide for their needs.
We can learn about God's generosity and the importance of recognizing the beauty and care He extends to us in our lives.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's provision in my life?
- How can I reflect God's love and care for others through my actions?
- What does it mean to me to be clothed in beauty by God?
- How can I appreciate the gifts that God has given me and use them to bless others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Jerome comments on this verse, noting how it reflects God's provision and the rituals of the law.
And you clothed yourself in various colors. LXX: And you adorned yourself with various garments: engaging in the rituals of the law, you abandoned idols.Early Church Fathers on Ezekiel 16 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 16:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI clothed thee also, with broidered work,.... Or, "with needle work" (q); with garments of divers colours, like Joseph's coat; perhaps it may refer to the rich raiment borrowed of the Egyptians, when they came out from thence.
Read John Gill on Ezekiel 16 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk. I clothed thee also with broidered work.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 16 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleSo miserably poor was this creature, that she had not clothes to her back; he gave them who married her. Broidered work; rich and beautiful needle-work of divers colours, much above the state of an abject infant, and suited to the bounty and riches of him who gave them. Badgers’ skin; those Eastern people had an art of curiously dressing and colouring the skins of those beasts, of which they made their neatest festival shoes, and these were for the richest and greatest personages to use. I girded thee, both for strength, activity, and ornament. With fine linen; both soft, warm, and comely. Such soft raiment, used in kings courts, intimate the advancement of tills abject to royal state, as…
Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 16 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEzekiel 16:10 I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.Ver. 10. I clothed thee also with broidered work.] Phrygionica veste variegata. With variety of precious graces, whereby thou didst outshine Solomon in all his bravery; for one grain of faith is of better worth than all the gold of Ophir, and one remnant of hope beyond all the gay clothing in the world. And girded thee about with fine linen.] The Church hath a rich wardrobe for woollens and linens; God’ s plenty of both.
Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 16 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(10) Badgers’ skin.—See Exodus 25:5. The thing intended is a fine kind of leather prepared from the skin of some sea animal; but the critics differ as to the particular animal intended, whether the dolphin or the dugong. “Fine linen” was a luxury much valued by the ancients, while “silk” is a word used only here and in Ezekiel 16:13, and its meaning is much questioned. By its etymology it is thought to express fineness of texture; and our translators have followed the rabbinical tradition in understanding it to mean silk.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezekiel 16 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 10. I clothed thee also with broidered work] Cloth on which various figures, in various colours, were wrought by the needle. With badgers' skin] See Exodus 25:5. The same kind of skin with which the tabernacle was covered. Fine linen] בשש beshesh, with cotton. I have seen cloth of this kind enveloping the finest mummies. I covered thee with silk.] משי meshi. Very probably the produce of the silk-worm.
Read AdamClarke on Ezekiel 16 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges10. The costly clothing. broidered work] Psalms 45:14; Judges 5:30. The word might mean work of various colours (Exodus 26:36). So Ezekiel 16:13; Ezekiel 16:18. badgers’ skin] According to most, skin of the sea-cow or manati, an animal allied to the dolphin, and found in the Red Sea. The name is found in Assyrian; the Assyrian kings crossed the Euphrates in ships made of the skin of this animal, and Salmaneser pursued his foes on lake Van in such ships. These facts suggest that the skins were readily procured not only in Mesopotamia but even in Armenia, and that some land animal must have furnished them. On these grounds Fried. Del. (Prolegomena, p. 78) decides for the wether. See Dill. on…
Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 16 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBadgers’ skin - Probably the skin of the dolphin or dugong (Exodus 25:5 note). Silk - For a robe, a turban, or (as gauze) for a transparent veil; the derivation of the word in the original is much disputed.
Read Albert Barnes on Ezekiel 16 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk.
I clothed you also with embroidered work and put leather sandals on you. I dressed you with fine linen and covered you with silk.
I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk.
I dressed you in embroidered clothing and put fine leather sandals on your feet. I wrapped you with fine linen and covered you with silk.
Tyndale line
I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.
I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with sealskin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and covered thee with silk.
I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with sealskin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and covered thee with silk.
I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.
I clothed thee also with broydred worke, and shod thee with badgers skin: and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I couered thee with silke.
Strictly literal
and I clothed thee with embroidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I bound thee about with byssus, and covered thee with silk.
And I clothe thee with embroidery, And I shoe thee with badger's skin, And I gird thee with fine linen, And I cover thee with figured silk.
And I clothe you with embroidery, || And I shoe you with tachash [skin], || And I gird you with fine linen, || And I cover you with figured silk.
I clothed thee also with broidered work, and made thee shoes of badger's skin, and I placed on thy head a turban of fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.
I dressed you in embroidered clothes and placed leather sandals on your feet. I wrapped you with fine linen and covered you with silk.
From the Latin
And I clothed thee with embroidery, and shed thee with violet coloured shoes: and I girded thee about with fine linen, and clothed thee with fine garments.
Simplified
I put a beautifully embroidered dress on you and gave you fine leather sandals. I clothed you in fine linen and covered you with silk.
And I had you clothed with needlework, and put leather shoes on your feet, folding fair linen about you and covering you with silk.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
Both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all eight words matching in the Hebrew and Greek texts. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of God's provision for His people.
וָאַלְבִּישֵׁ֣ךְ רִקְמָ֔ה וָאֶנְעֲלֵ֖ךְ תָּ֑חַשׁ וָאֶחְבְּשֵׁ֣ךְ בַּשֵּׁ֔שׁ וַאֲכַסֵּ֖ךְ מֶֽשִׁי׃
8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Ezekiel 16:10
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word לָבֵשׁ (*labash*) means to put on or wear clothing, and it can refer to both literal and figurative clothing. It is built from a primitive root meaning to wrap around. The entries cover various forms, including Qal, Pual, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of dressing or being clothed. The word is also noted for its use in a figurative sense, such as being clothed with a spirit.
לָבֵשׁ, לָבַשׁ vb. put on (a garment), wear, clothe, be clothed
Qal
lit. put on (one’s own) garment; = wear (more or less habitually)
very oft. fig., put on, be clothed with
lit. put on
once
clothed with
and the spirit of י׳ clothed itself with Gideon
Pu. arrayed
Hiph. clothe, array with
base
H3847 לָבֵשׁ, לָבַשׁ put on (a garment), wear, clothe, be clothed
3847 labash law-bash'
or labesh {law-bashe'}; a primitive root; properly, wrap
around, i.e. (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe
(oneself, or another), literally or figuratively:--(in)
apparel, arm, array (self), clothe (self), come upon, put (on,
upon), wear.
לָבֵשׁ (la.vash) — to clothe.
1) to dress, wear, clothe, put on clothing, be clothed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to put on clothes, be clothed, wear
1a2) to put on, be clothed with (fig.)
1b) (Pual) to be fully clothed
1c) (Hiphil) to clothe, array with, dress
Aramaic equivalent: le.vash (לְבֵשׁ "to clothe" H3848)
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff — Verb hiphil sequential imperfect first person common singular · suffixHc/Vhw1cs/Sp2fs
רִקְמָה (riqmah) refers to embroidery or variegated fabric, emphasizing colorful needlework. It is derived from the root word for 'variegation of color' and is associated with decorative textiles. The term appears in contexts related to richly designed garments.
רִקְמָה n.f. variegated stuff
base
H7553 רִקְמָה
7553 riqmah rik-maw'
from 7551; variegation of color; specifically,
embroidery:--broidered (work), divers colours, (raiment of)
needlework (on both sides).
see HEBREW for 07551
רִקְמָה (riq.mah) — embroidery.
variegated stuff, embroidered
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
נָעַל (na'al) primarily means to lock or bar something, as well as to furnish with sandals. It is derived from a root meaning to fasten up. The verb appears in both Qal and Hiphil forms, indicating actions of locking and providing footwear, respectively. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
נָעַל vb. bar, bolt, lock
base
[נָעַל] vb. denom. furnish with sandals
Qal and I shod thee with תחשׁ (q.v.).
Hiph. and gave them sandals.
base
H5274a נָעַל bar, bolt, look H5274b נָעַל vb. denom. furnish with sandals
5274 na`al naw-al'
a primitive root; properly, to fasten up, i.e. with a bar or
cord; hence (denominative from 5275), to sandal, i.e. furnish
with slippers:--bolt, inclose, lock, shoe, shut up.
see HEBREW for 05275
נָעַל (na.al) — to lock.
1) to bar, lock, bolt
1a) (Qal) to bar, lock, bolt
נָעַל (na.al) — to shoe.
1) to furnish with sandals, shoe
1a) (Qal) to shoe
1b) (Hiphil) to give sandals
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff — Verb qal sequential imperfect first person common singular · suffixHc/Vqw1cs/Sp2fs
תַּ֫חַשׁ (tachash) refers to a type of leather or skin, possibly from a clean animal like a badger or an extinct species. The entries suggest it may also denote the animal that produces this leather. There is some uncertainty about the specific animal associated with this term.
תַּ֫חַשׁ n.m. taḫaš, a kind of leather or skin, and perh. the animal yielding it
base
H8476 תַּ֫חַשׁ a kind of leather or skin, and perh. the animal yielding it
8476 tachash takh'-ash
probably of foreign derivation; a (clean) animal with fur,
probably a species of antelope:--badger.
תַּ֫חַשׁ (ta.chash) — leather.
1) a kind of leather, skin, or animal hide
1a) perhaps the animal yielding the skin
1a1) perhaps the badger or dugong, dolphin, or sheep, or a now extinct animal
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
leth'-er.
See SKIN; GIRDLE; TANNER.
Leather
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.
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.
חָבַשׁ (chabash) is a Hebrew verb meaning to bind, tie, or saddle. It covers a range of actions from physically binding something up to metaphorically governing or restraining. The word appears in various forms, including Qal (to bind) and Piel (to restrain). The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to binding and governance.
[חָבַשׁ] vb. bind, bind on, bind up
Qal
bind, bind on
bind up
Pi. bind, restrain
Pu. be bound up
base
H2280 חָבַשׁ bind, bind on, bind up
2280 chabash khaw-bash'
a primitive root; to wrap firmly (especially a turban,
compress, or saddle); figuratively, to stop, to rule:--bind
(up), gird about, govern, healer, put, saddle, wrap about.
חָבַשׁ (cha.vash) — to saddle/tie.
1) to tie, bind, bind on, bind up, saddle, restrain, bandage, govern
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to bind, bind on
1a2) to bind up
1b) (Piel) to bind, restrain
1c) (Pual) to be bound up
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff — Verb qal sequential imperfect first person common singular · suffixHc/Vqw1cs/Sp2fs
שֵׁשׁ (shesh) refers to fine materials, primarily white linen or byssus, often associated with Egyptian textiles. It can also denote alabaster or similar stones like marble, indicating a range of meanings related to both fabric and stone. The entries suggest a connection to bleached or fine materials, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
שֵׁשׁ n.m. id. [שַׁ֫יִשׁ]; material of pavement
base
שֵׁשׁ n.m. byssus, fine Egyptian linen
base
H8336a שֵׁשׁ id. [שַׁ֫יִשׁ] H8336b שֵׁשׁ byssus, fine Egyptian linen
8336 shesh shaysh
or (for alliteration with 4897) shshiy {shesh-ee'}; for 7893;
bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble:--X
blue, fine ((twined)) linen, marble, silk.
see HEBREW for 04897
see HEBREW for 07893
שֵׁשׁ (shesh) — alabaster.
alabaster, similar stone, marble, material of pavement
שֵׁשׁ (shesh) — linen.
something bleached white, byssus, linen, fine linen
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
lin'-en (badh, "white linen," used chiefly for priestly robes, buts, "byssus," a fine white Egyptian linen, called in the earlier writings shesh; pesheth, "flax," cadhin; bussos, othonion, linon, sindon): Thread or cloth made of flax.
1. History:
Ancient Egypt was noted for its fine linen (Ge 41:42; Isa 19:9). From it a large export trade was carried on with surrounding nations, including the Hebrews, who early learned the art of spinning from the Egyptians (Ex 35:25) and continued to rely on them for the finest linen (Pr 7:16; Eze 27:7). The culture of flax in Palestine probably antedated the conquest, for in
Linen
(1.) Heb., pishet, pishtah, denotes “flax,” of which linen is made (Isa. 19:9); wrought flax, i.e., “linen cloth”, Lev. 13:47, 48, 52, 59; Deut. 22:11.
Flax was early cultivated in Egypt (Ex. 9:31), and also in Palestine (Josh. 2:6; Hos. 2:9). Various articles were made of it: garments (2 Sam. 6:14), girdles (Jer. 13:1), ropes and thread (Ezek. 40:3), napkins (
cloth made from flax. Several different Hebrew words are rendered linen, which may denote different fabrics of linen or different modes of manufacture. Egypt was the great centre of the linen trade. Some linen, made form the Egyptian byssus , a flax that grew on the banks of the Nile, was exceedingly soft and of dazzling whiteness. This linen has been sold for twice its weight in gold. Sir J.G. Wilkinson says of it, "The quality of the fine linen fully justifies all the praises of antiquity, and excites equal admiration at the present day, being to the touch comparable to silk, and not inferior in texture to our finest cambric."
As is well known, is made of the fine fibers of flax, and was much used by the ancients. Four different words in Hebrew are translated in our Bible, "Linen," "fine linen," and "silk:" PISHTAH, Jud 15:14 Eze 44:17,18; BAD, worn by the priests, Ex 28:42 39:28, and by king David, etc., 2Sa 6:14; SHESH, worn by Joseph when governor of Egypt, Ge 41:42, and by the virtuous woman in Pr 31:22, (see SILK;) and BUTZ, of which the veil of the temple and David’s outer mantle were made,
The Hebrew word כָּסָה (*kacah*) primarily means to cover or conceal. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to clothe, hide, or overwhelm. The entries describe various forms of the verb, such as being covered or covering oneself, and its use in contexts like protection or sin. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[כָּסָה] vb. cover
Qal
conceal
pass. (cstr.) covered in respect of sin (by God, which he thus puts out of sight)
Niph. covered
Pi.
cover, clothe
cover, conceal blood
cover (with covering of protection)
cover, spread over
cover, overwhelm
cover over
Pual.
be covered
be clothed
Hithp. cover, clothe oneself
base
H3680 כָּסָה cover .. conceal
. pass. (cstr.) covered in respect of sin (by God, which he thus puts out of sight)
. covered
. . cover, clothe
. cover, conceal blood
. cover (with covering of protection)
. cover, spread over
. cover, overwhelm
. cover over
. . be covered
. be clothed
. cover, clothe oneself
3680 kacah kaw-saw'
a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows;
by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy):--clad
self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide,
overwhelm. Compare 3780.
see HEBREW for 03780
כָּסָה (ka.sah) — to cover.
1) to cover, conceal, hide
1a) (Qal) conceal, covered (participle)
1b) (Niphal) to be covered
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to cover, clothe
1c2) to cover, conceal
1c3) to cover (for protection)
1c4) to cover over, spread over
1c5) to cover, overwhelm
1d) (Pual)
1d1) to be covered
1d2) to be clothed
1e) (Hithpael) to cover oneself, clothe oneself
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff — Conjunction · verb piel first person common singular · suffixHC/Vpu1cs/Sp2fs
מֶ֫שִׁי (meshiy) refers to silk, a luxurious fabric used for garments. It is derived from the root word for silk production, indicating its value as a costly material. The term appears in Ezekiel 16:13, where it is associated with fine clothing.
מֶ֫שִׁי n.[m.] a costly material for garments, acc. to Rabb. silk;—abs. Ez 16:13
ref
H4897 מֶ֫שִׁי
4897 meshiy meh'-shee
from 4871; silk (as drawn from the cocoon):--silk.
see HEBREW for 04871
מֶ֫שִׁי (me.shi) — silk.
1) a costly material for garment
1a) perhaps silk
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
Silk
Heb. demeshek, “damask,” silk cloth manufactured at Damascus, Amos 3:12. A.V., “in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch;” R.V., “in the corner of a couch, and on the silken cushions of a bed” (marg., “in Damascus on a bed”).
Heb. meshi, (Ezek. 16:10, 13, rendered “silk”). In Gen. 41:42 (marg. A.V.), Prov. 31:22 (R.V., “fine linen”), the word “silk” ought to be “fine linen.”
Silk was common in New Testament times (Rev. 18:12).
The only undoubted notice of silk in the Bible occurs in (Revelation 18:12) where it is mentioned among the treasures of the typical Babylon. It is however, in the highest degree probable that the texture was known to the Hebrews from the time that their commercial relations were extended by Solomon. The well-known classical name of the substance does not occur in the Hebrew language.
In the time of the Ptolemies, came to Greece and Rome from the far east of China, etc., by the way of Alexandria, and was sold for its weight in gold. It sometimes came in the form of skeins, and was woven into a light and thin gauze. It is mentioned in Re 18:12, and probably in Eze 16:10,13. In Ge 41:42 and Pr 31:22, the word rendered silk in our version is the same that is elsewhere correctly rendered fine linen. It is not known how early or extensively the Jews used it.
