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Leviticus 13:48 — Word Study

Depth

WLCא֤וֹ בִֽשְׁתִי֙ א֣וֹ בְעֵ֔רֶב לַפִּשְׁתִּ֖ים וְלַצָּ֑מֶר א֣וֹ בְע֔וֹר א֖וֹ בְּכָל־ מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֽוֹר׃

BSAany weaveshᵉthîy [woven or knitted] orʼôw knitʻêreb [in the warp or woof] of linenpishteh [flax, a plant used to make thread] or wooltsemer [a natural fiber from sheep] orʼôw any article of leatherʻôwr [made from, skin, like animal hide]

Word
Listen & take awayLeviticus 13
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 48 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (or) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Leviticus 13:48quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse outlines various materials that can be contaminated with mildew.
What is being describedDifferent types of fabrics and leather articles.
Where we areThis verse is part of the laws concerning ritual purity in Leviticus.
The hard wordמְלֶ֥אכֶת
Take awayThe verse lists specific materials that require examination for contamination.
5 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Cambridge & more — read them › clause The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

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 — Leviticus 13:48

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 — Laws of Contaminationgenerated

47If any fabric is contaminated with mildew —any wool or linen garment,
48any weave or knit of linen or wool, or any article of leather—
49and if the mark in the fabric, leather, weave, knit, or leather article is green or red, then it is contaminated with mildew and must be shown to the priest.
50And the priest is to examine the mildew and isolate the contaminated fabric for seven days.

Leviticus 13:48 is part of a larger section that details the laws regarding mildew and contamination in fabrics and materials. These laws were significant for maintaining ritual purity among the Israelites. This verse specifically addresses woven or knitted materials, highlighting the importance of cleanliness in daily life and worship.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Leviticus 13:51On the seventh day the priest shall reexamine it, and if the mildew has spread in the fabric, weave, knit, or leather, then regardless of how it is used, it is a harmful mildew; the article is unclean.
2Deuteronomy 8:11Be careful not to forget the LORD your God by failing to keep His commandments and ordinances and statutes, which I am giving you this day.
3Jude 1:23save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
4Revelation 3:4But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word מְלֶ֥אכֶת, me.Le.khetgenerated

The word מְלֶ֥אכֶת (*melakha*) refers to work or labor, encompassing various forms of craftsmanship and effort. In this context, it indicates the work involved in creating fabrics or leather articles, which are subject to examination for contamination.

The parsing indicates that it is a feminine singular construct noun, suggesting a specific type of work or product. This term is often used in the context of craftsmanship and can denote both the act of working and the resulting products.


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 structure of the verse consists of a series of prepositional phrases that describe the various materials: אוֹ בִֽשְׁתִי֙, אוֹ בְעֵ֔רֶב, לַפִּשְׁתִּ֖ים, וְלַצָּ֑מֶר, א֣וֹ בְע֔וֹר, and א֖וֹ בְּכָל־. Each phrase introduces an alternative material that may be affected by mildew.

The use of conjunctions like אוֹ throughout emphasizes the options available, creating a comprehensive list of items subject to scrutiny.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the word for מְלֶ֥אכֶת is rendered as ἐργασίμῳ, which means 'work' or 'labor.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may imply a broader sense of craftsmanship or labor.

The translation reflects a consistent understanding of the materials and their significance in terms of ritual purity, indicating that the Septuagint translators recognized the importance of these items in the context of the law.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Leviticus 13:48 lists various materials that can be contaminated with mildew, including woven or knitted fabrics of linen or wool and leather articles. This verse emphasizes the importance of checking these items for purity.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What types of materials are mentioned in this verse?

The verse mentions woven or knitted fabrics made of linen or wool, as well as leather articles.

Why is it important to check these materials for mildew?

Checking for mildew is crucial for maintaining ritual purity, as contamination can affect both personal and communal worship.

How do these laws apply to modern practices?

While the specific laws may not apply directly, the principles of cleanliness and purity can still inform modern practices in various contexts.

What does the term 'work of leather' imply?

It refers to items crafted from animal hide, indicating the labor involved in creating such articles.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does this verse teach about the importance of cleanliness in our lives?
  2. How can the principles of ritual purity apply to our daily practices today?
  3. In what ways can we ensure that our personal belongings are kept clean and free from contamination?
  4. How does understanding these laws enhance our appreciation for the biblical text?

Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Leviticus 13:48 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Whether [it be] in the warp, or woof, of linen, or of woollen,.... When these are woven and mixed together, it seems difficult, if not impossible, to judge whether the plague of leprosy was in the

Read John Gill on Leviticus 13 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment; The garment ... that the ... leprosy is in.

Read Robert Jamieson on Leviticus 13 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

In the warp, or woof; a learned man renders it, in the outside, or in the inside of it. If the signification of these words be doubtful or unknown now, as some of those of the living creatures and precious stones are confessed to be, it is not material to us, this law being abolished; it sufficeth that the Jews understood these things by frequent experience.

Read Matthew Poole on Leviticus 13 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

48. whether it be in warp, or woof] The LXX. and other versions translate thus; another suggestion is that different ways of working up the material are meant (so R.V. mg.).

Read Cambridge on Leviticus 13 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Rather, “And the clothing in which there is a stroke of leprosy, whether the stroke is in clothing of wool or in clothing of linen; or in yarn for warp or in yarn for woof, either for linen clothing

Read Albert Barnes on Leviticus 13 →

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

any weave or knit of linen or wool, or any article of leather—

WEBWorld English Bible2000

whether it is in warp or woof; of linen or of wool; whether in leather, or in anything made of leather;

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

any weave or knit of linen or wool, or any article of leather—

NETBNew English Translation2006

or in the warp or woof of the linen or the wool, or in leather or anything made of leather,

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin;

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

whether it be in warp, or woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether in a skin, or in anything made of skin;

RVARevised Version, American1894

whether it be in warp, or woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin;

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Whether in the warp, or woof, of linen, or of woolen: whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin:

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Whether it bee in the warpe or in ye woofe of linen or of wollen, either in a skin, or in any thing made of skin,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

either in the warp or in the woof of linen or of wool, or in a skin, or in anything made of skin,

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

or in the warp, or in the woof, of linen or of wool, or in a skin, or in any work of skin,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

or in the warp, or in the woof, of linen or of wool, or in a skin, or in any work of skin—

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Whether it be on the warp, or on the woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether on a skin, or on any thing made of skin;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen, or leather or anything made with leather—

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

In the warp, and the woof, or a skin. or whatsoever is made of a skin,

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

anything woven or knitted made from linen or wool, or anything made of leather:

BBEBible in Basic English1949

If it is in the threads of the linen or of the wool, or in leather, or in anything made of skin;

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.

א֤וֹorclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseprepositional phraseprepositional phraseבִֽinשְׁתִי֙warpא֣וֹorprepositional phraseבְinעֵ֔רֶבwoofprepositional phraseprepositional phraseלַofnoun phrasetheפִּשְׁתִּ֖יםlinen(s)וְandprepositional phraseלַofnoun phrasetheצָּ֑מֶרwoolא֣וֹorprepositional phraseprepositional phraseבְinע֔וֹרa.hideא֖וֹorprepositional phraseבְּinnoun phraseכָלeverynoun phraseמְלֶ֥אכֶתworkעֽוֹרof.hide

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text is supported by the Samaritan Pentateuch, which agrees word for word with the Hebrew. The Septuagint matches 11 of the 12 words in the verse, maintaining the overall meaning and context.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

א֤וֹ בִֽשְׁתִי֙ א֣וֹ בְעֵ֔רֶב לַפִּשְׁתִּ֖ים וְלַצָּ֑מֶר א֣וֹ בְע֔וֹר א֖וֹ בְּכָל־ מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֽוֹר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
א֤וֹבִֽשְׁתִי֙στήμονιא֣וֹבְעֵ֔רֶבκρόκῃלַפִּשְׁתִּ֖יםλινοῖςא֣וֹבְע֔וֹרδέρματιא֖וֹבְּכָל־παντὶמְלֶ֥אכֶתἐργασίμῳעֽוֹר׃δέρματι

11 of the 12 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.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

או בשׁתי או בערב לפשׁתים ולצמר או בעור או בכל מלאכת עור

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

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.

Leviticus 13:48אוֹororאוֹשְׁתִיin warpin warpשְׁתִיאוֹororאוֹעֵ֫רֶבin woofin woofעֵ֫רֶבפֵּ֫שֶׁתof the lineof the linenפֵּ֫שֶׁתצֶ֫מֶרand of the and of the woolצֶ֫מֶראוֹororאוֹעוֹרin a hidein a hideעוֹראוֹororאוֹכֹּלin everyin everyכֹּלמְלָאכָהwork ofwork ofמְלָאכָהעוֹרhidehideעוֹראַוָּהdesiredesireאַוָּהעוּרעוּרשִׁיתto set: mato set: makeשִׁיתעָרַבto pledgeto pledgeעָרַבכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלפַּשׁfollyfollyפַּשׁמַלְאָךְmessengermessengerמַלְאָךְשְׁתִיwarpwarpשְׁתִיעֵ֫רֶבracial-mixracial-mixעֵ֫רֶבפֵּ֫שֶׁתflaxflaxפֵּ֫שֶׁתאָדֹםto reddento reddenאָדֹםתַּ֫חַשׁleatherleatherתַּ֫חַשׁעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהצֶ֫מֶרwoolwoolצֶ֫מֶרעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהשָׁבַתto ceaseto ceaseשָׁבַת
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Leviticus 13:48

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.

or in warp or in woof of the linen and of the wool or in a hide or in every work of hide
א֤וֹ'o or H176 Conjunction
321× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Desire can also mean or, and, or if, showing a choice between options, as seen in Proverbs 31:4. It is used to express alternatives or possibilities.
Tyndale gloss
or
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אוֹ (*'ow*) primarily functions as a conjunction meaning 'or,' often indicating a preference or choice between options. It can also introduce examples, express conditions, or imply alternatives. Additionally, it is associated with the noun meaning 'desire' in Proverbs 31:4. The entries reflect a range of uses, but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אוֹ 320 conj. or

sometimes implying a preference, nearly or rather

introducing a sentence, esp. a particular case under a general principle, or = or if

if perchance

once, with the juss. = except

base

[אֵו] n.m. אוֹ, Kt Pr 31:4 desire, so Thes MV; but < Qr אֵי q.v.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H176 אוֹ or . sometimes implying a preference, nearly or rather

. introducing a sentence, esp. a particular case under a general principle, or = or if

. if perchance

. once, with the juss. = except

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

176 'ow o

presumed to be the "constructive" or genitival form of -av

{av}; short for 185; desire (and so probably in Prov. 31:4);

hence (by way of alternative) or, also if:--also, and,

either, if, at the least, X nor, or, otherwise, then, whether.

see HEBREW for 0185

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אוֹ (o) — or.

1) or, rather

1a) implying that the latter choice is preferred

1b) or if, introducing an example to be seen under a particular principle

1c) (in series) either...or, whether...or

1d) if perchance

1e) except, or else

2) whether, not the least, if, otherwise, also, and, then

אוֹ (o) — desire.

desire

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Conjunction
HC
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

or: The word is used once for either (1Sa 26:10), and is still in poetic use in this sense; as in, "Without or wave or wind" (Coleridge); "Or the bakke or some bone he breketh in his dzouthe" (Piers Plowman (B), VII, 93; compare Merchant of Venice, III, ii, 65). It is also used with "ever" for before (Ps 90:2; Ecclesiasticus 18:19), which the American Standard Revised Version substitutes in Ec 12:6 (compare 12:1,2); So 6:12; Da 6:24.

or in warp or in woof of the linen and of the wool or in a hide or in every work of hide
בִֽשְׁתִי֙vish.Ti in warp H8359 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
9× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for the warp in weaving, referring to the foundation threads that form the base of a fabric. It is used to describe the underlying structure of a woven material. This term appears in various biblical contexts.
Amplified meaning
woven or knitted
Tyndale gloss
warp
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁתִי (shthiy) refers to the warp in weaving, the threads that run lengthwise in a loom. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to set' and is consistently defined across entries as related to woven material.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׁתִי 8 n.m. warp, the set of threads drawn lengthwise in loom, through which the shuttle bearing the woof is thrown crosswise

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8359 שְׁתִי

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8359 shthiy sheth-ee'

from 7896; a fixture, i.e. the warp in weaving:--warp.

see HEBREW for 07896

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁתִי (she.ti) — warp.

warp, woven material

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

worp (shethi (Le 13:48-59)): The long threads fixed into the loom to form the basis of the web, and into which the woof is wrought from the shuttle. The warp and the woof lying at right angles to one another have in their Hebrew form (shethi we`erebh) given to modern Jewish speech a secret expression to designate the cross.

See WEAVING.

or in warp or in woof of the linen and of the wool or in a hide or in every work of hide
א֣וֹ'o or H176 Conjunction
321× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Desire can also mean or, and, or if, showing a choice between options, as seen in Proverbs 31:4. It is used to express alternatives or possibilities.
Tyndale gloss
or
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אוֹ (*'ow*) primarily functions as a conjunction meaning 'or,' often indicating a preference or choice between options. It can also introduce examples, express conditions, or imply alternatives. Additionally, it is associated with the noun meaning 'desire' in Proverbs 31:4. The entries reflect a range of uses, but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אוֹ 320 conj. or

sometimes implying a preference, nearly or rather

introducing a sentence, esp. a particular case under a general principle, or = or if

if perchance

once, with the juss. = except

base

[אֵו] n.m. אוֹ, Kt Pr 31:4 desire, so Thes MV; but < Qr אֵי q.v.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H176 אוֹ or . sometimes implying a preference, nearly or rather

. introducing a sentence, esp. a particular case under a general principle, or = or if

. if perchance

. once, with the juss. = except

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

176 'ow o

presumed to be the "constructive" or genitival form of -av

{av}; short for 185; desire (and so probably in Prov. 31:4);

hence (by way of alternative) or, also if:--also, and,

either, if, at the least, X nor, or, otherwise, then, whether.

see HEBREW for 0185

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אוֹ (o) — or.

1) or, rather

1a) implying that the latter choice is preferred

1b) or if, introducing an example to be seen under a particular principle

1c) (in series) either...or, whether...or

1d) if perchance

1e) except, or else

2) whether, not the least, if, otherwise, also, and, then

אוֹ (o) — desire.

desire

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Conjunction
HC
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

or: The word is used once for either (1Sa 26:10), and is still in poetic use in this sense; as in, "Without or wave or wind" (Coleridge); "Or the bakke or some bone he breketh in his dzouthe" (Piers Plowman (B), VII, 93; compare Merchant of Venice, III, ii, 65). It is also used with "ever" for before (Ps 90:2; Ecclesiasticus 18:19), which the American Standard Revised Version substitutes in Ec 12:6 (compare 12:1,2); So 6:12; Da 6:24.

or in warp or in woof of the linen and of the wool or in a hide or in every work of hide
בְעֵ֔רֶבve.'E.rev in woof H6154 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes a mixture of people or things, like the diverse crowd that gathered to hear Jesus in the book of Matthew. It can also refer to a woven fabric, like the one described in Exodus. The word is used to describe a multicultural society.
Amplified meaning
in the warp or woof
Tyndale gloss
racial-mix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֵ֫רֶב (ereb) refers to a mixture or mixed company, as well as the woof in weaving, which is the transverse threads interwoven with the warp. It can denote a heterogeneous group or a mingled race, including references to Arabia and mixed peoples. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to mixture and interweaving.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֵ֫רֶב n.m. mixture, mixed company;—heterogeneous body attached to a people

base

עֵ֫רֶב n.[m.] woof (as mixed, interwoven, with warp)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6154a עֵ֫רֶב mixture, mixed company H6154b עֵ֫רֶב woof (as mixed, interwoven, with warp)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6154 `ereb ay'-reb

or mereb (1 Kings 10:15), (with the article prefix),

{eh'-reb}; from 6148; the web (or transverse threads of

cloth); also a mixture, (or mongrel race):--Arabia, mingled

people, mixed (multitude), woof.

see HEBREW for 06148

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֵ֫רֶב (e.rev) — Arabia.

mixture, mixed people, mixed company

Another spelling of a.rav (עֲרָב "Arabia" H6152B)

עֵ֫רֶב (e.rev) — mixture.

1) woof

1a) as mixed, interwoven

1b) knitted material

עֵ֫רֶב (e.rev) — racial-mix.

mixture, mixed people, mixed company

§ 1) woof

1a) as mixed, interwoven

1b) knitted material

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

woof (`erebh, "mixture," "woof" (Le 13:48)).

See WARP.

or in warp or in woof of the linen and of the wool or in a hide or in every work of hide
לַפִּשְׁתִּ֖יםla.pish.Tim of the linen H6593 Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
16× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to flax, a plant used to make linen thread. It is mentioned in Exodus 9 as part of the plague of hail that damaged the flax crops in Egypt. The word is about a natural resource used for clothing.
Amplified meaning
flax, a plant used to make thread
Tyndale gloss
flax
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פֵּ֫שֶׁת (pishteh) refers to flax and linen, specifically the fiber used for making garments. It is derived from a root meaning to comminute, indicating its processed form. The entries consistently emphasize its use as a textile material.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פֵּ֫שֶׁת] n.[m.] flax, linen

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6593 [פֵּ֫שֶׁת] flax, linen

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6593 pishteh pish-teh'

from the same as 6580 as in the sense of comminuting; linen

(i.e. the thread, as carded):--flax, linen.

see HEBREW for 06580

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֵּ֫שֶׁת (pish.teh) — flax.

1) flax, linen

1a) fibre used as material for garments

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HRd/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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

Easton's Bible Dictionary

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 (

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,

or in warp or in woof of the linen and of the wool or in a hide or in every work of hide
וְלַצָּ֑מֶרve.la.Tza.mer and of the wool H6785 Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
16× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to wool, like the kind used to make warm clothing, and is also used to describe something white or woolly.
Amplified meaning
a natural fiber from sheep
Tyndale gloss
wool
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צֶ֫מֶר (tsemer) means 'wool' and is likely derived from a root meaning to be shaggy. It covers the literal sense of wool and can also refer to whiteness metaphorically. The term appears in contexts related to garments. There is an Aramaic equivalent, עֲמַר (amar), which also means 'wool.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צֶ֫מֶר n.m. wool

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6785 צֶ֫מֶר wool

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6785 tsemer tseh'-mer

from an unused root probably meaning to be shaggy;

wool:--wool(-len).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צֶ֫מֶר (tse.mer) — wool.

1) wool

1a) wool

1b) whiteness (metaph.)

1c) wool (in garments)

Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (עֲמַר "wool" H6015)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Rd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wool (tsemer; erion): Wool and flax were the fibers most used by the ancient weavers. Wool was used principally for the outside garments (Le 13:48 ff; Pr 31:13; Eze 34:3; Ho 2:5,9). Syrian wool is found on the world's markets today, but it is not rated as first quality, partly because it is so contaminated with thorns, straw and other foreign matter which become entangled with the wool while the sheep are wandering over the barren, rocky mountain sides in search of food. Extensive pastures are almost unknown.

Two kinds of wool are sold:

(1) That obtained by shearing. This is removed from the animal as far as possible in one piece or fleece usually without previous washing.…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Wool

One of the first material used for making woven cloth (Lev. 13:47, 48, 52, 59; 19:19). The first-fruit of wool was to be offered to the priests (Deut. 18:4). The law prohibiting the wearing of a garment “of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together” (Deut. 22:11) may, like some other laws of a similar character, have been intended to express symbolically the separateness and simplicity of God’s covenant people. The wool of Damascus, famous for its whiteness, was of great repute in the Tyrian market (Ezek. 27:18).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

was an article of the highest value among the Jews, as the staple material for the manufacture of clothing. (Leviticus 13:47; 22:11; Job 31:20; Proverbs 31:13; Ezekiel 34:3; Hosea 2:5) The importance of wool is incidentally shown by the notice that Mesha’s tribute was paid in a certain number of rams "with the wool." (2 Kings 3:1) The wool of Damascus was highly prized in the mart of Tyre. (Ezekiel 27:18)

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Used for clothing Le 13:47-52,59; Pr 31:13; Eze 34:3; 44:17

→ Prohibited in the priest' s temple dress Eze 44:17

→ Mixing of, with other fabrics forbidden Le 19:19; De 22:11

→ Fleece of Jud 6:37

→ First fleece of, belonged to the priests De 18:4

or in warp or in woof of the linen and of the wool or in a hide or in every work of hide
א֣וֹ'o or H176 Conjunction
321× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Desire can also mean or, and, or if, showing a choice between options, as seen in Proverbs 31:4. It is used to express alternatives or possibilities.
Tyndale gloss
or
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אוֹ (*'ow*) primarily functions as a conjunction meaning 'or,' often indicating a preference or choice between options. It can also introduce examples, express conditions, or imply alternatives. Additionally, it is associated with the noun meaning 'desire' in Proverbs 31:4. The entries reflect a range of uses, but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אוֹ 320 conj. or

sometimes implying a preference, nearly or rather

introducing a sentence, esp. a particular case under a general principle, or = or if

if perchance

once, with the juss. = except

base

[אֵו] n.m. אוֹ, Kt Pr 31:4 desire, so Thes MV; but < Qr אֵי q.v.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H176 אוֹ or . sometimes implying a preference, nearly or rather

. introducing a sentence, esp. a particular case under a general principle, or = or if

. if perchance

. once, with the juss. = except

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

176 'ow o

presumed to be the "constructive" or genitival form of -av

{av}; short for 185; desire (and so probably in Prov. 31:4);

hence (by way of alternative) or, also if:--also, and,

either, if, at the least, X nor, or, otherwise, then, whether.

see HEBREW for 0185

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אוֹ (o) — or.

1) or, rather

1a) implying that the latter choice is preferred

1b) or if, introducing an example to be seen under a particular principle

1c) (in series) either...or, whether...or

1d) if perchance

1e) except, or else

2) whether, not the least, if, otherwise, also, and, then

אוֹ (o) — desire.

desire

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC — Conjunction
HC
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

or: The word is used once for either (1Sa 26:10), and is still in poetic use in this sense; as in, "Without or wave or wind" (Coleridge); "Or the bakke or some bone he breketh in his dzouthe" (Piers Plowman (B), VII, 93; compare Merchant of Venice, III, ii, 65). It is also used with "ever" for before (Ps 90:2; Ecclesiasticus 18:19), which the American Standard Revised Version substitutes in Ec 12:6 (compare 12:1,2); So 6:12; Da 6:24.

or in warp or in woof of the linen and of the wool or in a hide or in every work of hide
בְע֔וֹרve.'or in a hide H5785 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
99× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means skin, like human skin or animal hide, and is used in the Bible to describe leather. It appears in Exodus 25:5 to describe the materials used to build the tabernacle. The word is also used in Genesis 3:21 to describe the clothing God made for Adam and Eve.
Amplified meaning
made from, skin, like animal hide
Tyndale gloss
skin
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עוֹר (owr) means skin or hide, specifically referring to the skin of humans and the hides of animals. It is derived from a root that implies nakedness. The term appears frequently in the Old Testament, with 55 occurrences related to human skin and 44 to animal hides.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עוֹר 99 n.m. skin

of men (55 t.)

hide of animals (44 t.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5785 עוֹר skin . of men (55 t.)

. hide of men (44 t.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5785 `owr ore

from 5783; skin (as naked); by implication, hide,

leather:--hide, leather, skin.

see HEBREW for 05783

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוֹר (or) — skin.

1) skin, hide

1a) skin (of men)

1b) hide (of animals)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
or in warp or in woof of the linen and of the wool or in a hide or in every work of hide
א֖וֹ'o or H176 Conjunction
321× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Desire can also mean or, and, or if, showing a choice between options, as seen in Proverbs 31:4. It is used to express alternatives or possibilities.
Tyndale gloss
or
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אוֹ (*'ow*) primarily functions as a conjunction meaning 'or,' often indicating a preference or choice between options. It can also introduce examples, express conditions, or imply alternatives. Additionally, it is associated with the noun meaning 'desire' in Proverbs 31:4. The entries reflect a range of uses, but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אוֹ 320 conj. or

sometimes implying a preference, nearly or rather

introducing a sentence, esp. a particular case under a general principle, or = or if

if perchance

once, with the juss. = except

base

[אֵו] n.m. אוֹ, Kt Pr 31:4 desire, so Thes MV; but < Qr אֵי q.v.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H176 אוֹ or . sometimes implying a preference, nearly or rather

. introducing a sentence, esp. a particular case under a general principle, or = or if

. if perchance

. once, with the juss. = except

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

176 'ow o

presumed to be the "constructive" or genitival form of -av

{av}; short for 185; desire (and so probably in Prov. 31:4);

hence (by way of alternative) or, also if:--also, and,

either, if, at the least, X nor, or, otherwise, then, whether.

see HEBREW for 0185

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אוֹ (o) — or.

1) or, rather

1a) implying that the latter choice is preferred

1b) or if, introducing an example to be seen under a particular principle

1c) (in series) either...or, whether...or

1d) if perchance

1e) except, or else

2) whether, not the least, if, otherwise, also, and, then

אוֹ (o) — desire.

desire

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC — Conjunction
HC
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

or: The word is used once for either (1Sa 26:10), and is still in poetic use in this sense; as in, "Without or wave or wind" (Coleridge); "Or the bakke or some bone he breketh in his dzouthe" (Piers Plowman (B), VII, 93; compare Merchant of Venice, III, ii, 65). It is also used with "ever" for before (Ps 90:2; Ecclesiasticus 18:19), which the American Standard Revised Version substitutes in Ec 12:6 (compare 12:1,2); So 6:12; Da 6:24.

or in warp or in woof of the linen and of the wool or in a hide or in every work of hide
בְּכָל־be.khol in every H3605 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncmsc — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
or in warp or in woof of the linen and of the wool or in a hide or in every work of hide
מְלֶ֥אכֶתme.Le.khet work of H4399 Noun common · feminine singular construct
167× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means work or employment, like a job or business, and is used to describe someone's occupation or the result of their labor, as seen in the Bible's description of various professions and industries.
Tyndale gloss
work
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְלָאכָה (mla'kah) refers to work or occupation, encompassing various aspects such as business, craftsmanship, and service. It can denote both the act of working and the products resulting from labor. The term also extends to public and political business. There is a slight variation in emphasis among lexicons, with some highlighting its non-servile nature.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְלָאכָה 167 n.f. occupation, work

occupation, business

property in which one is occupied

work as something done or made

workmanship

service, use

public business

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4399 מְלָאכָה occupation, work . occupation, business

. property in which one is occupied

. work as something done or made

. workmanship

. service, use

. public business

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4399 mla'kah mel-aw-kaw'

from the same as 4397; properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry;

generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or

concretely); also property (as the result of

labor):--business, + cattle, + industrious, occupation,

(+ -pied), + officer, thing (made), use, (manner of)

work((-man), -manship).

see HEBREW for 04397

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְלָאכָה (me.la.khah) — work.

1) occupation, work, business

1a) occupation, business

1b) property

1c) work (something done or made)

1d) workmanship

1e) service, use

1f) public business

1f1) political

1f2) religious

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfsc — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

or in warp or in woof of the linen and of the wool or in a hide or in every work of hide
עֽוֹר׃or hide H5785 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
99× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means skin, like human skin or animal hide, and is used in the Bible to describe leather. It appears in Exodus 25:5 to describe the materials used to build the tabernacle. The word is also used in Genesis 3:21 to describe the clothing God made for Adam and Eve.
Tyndale gloss
skin
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עוֹר (owr) means skin or hide, specifically referring to the skin of humans and the hides of animals. It is derived from a root that implies nakedness. The term appears frequently in the Old Testament, with 55 occurrences related to human skin and 44 to animal hides.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עוֹר 99 n.m. skin

of men (55 t.)

hide of animals (44 t.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5785 עוֹר skin . of men (55 t.)

. hide of men (44 t.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5785 `owr ore

from 5783; skin (as naked); by implication, hide,

leather:--hide, leather, skin.

see HEBREW for 05783

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוֹר (or) — skin.

1) skin, hide

1a) skin (of men)

1b) hide (of animals)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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