Lexical Summary
shazar: To twist, to intertwine
Original Word:שָׁזַר
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:shazar
Pronunciation:sha-ZAR
Phonetic Spelling:(shaw-zar')
KJV: twine
NASB:twisted
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to twist (a thread of straw)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
twine
A primitive root; to twist (a thread of straw) -- twine.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto be twisted
NASB Translationtwisted (21).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[]
21 (Late Hebrew
twist; compare Arabic
look a skew at, also
twist cord
from the left Ba
ES 49 (explanation , for normal , as dissimilated before ), Jacob
Arabic Dichter i. 52); —
ParticipleExodus 26:1,31,36 17t. Exodus (P); omitted
Exodus 39:24.
see .
Topical Lexicon
𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
Shazar appears solely in the Exodus narratives describing materials for the wilderness tabernacle and the high-priestly garments. In every occurrence it qualifies “fine linen,” indicating threads that have been spun together for greater strength and beauty. The word therefore directs attention not to raw fiber but to finished fabric—linen that has undergone deliberate, skillful preparation for sacred use.
𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭
1. Curtains of the tabernacle:Exodus 26:1, 31, 36; 36:8, 35, 37.
2. Hangings and gate of the courtyard:Exodus 27:9, 16, 18; 38:9, 16, 18.
3. High-priestly vestments:Exodus 28:6, 8, 15; 39:2, 5, 8, 24, 28, 29.
Representative verses:
•Exodus 26:1 “Moreover, you are to construct the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely spun linen and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skilfully worked into them.”
•Exodus 27:16 “For the gate of the courtyard shall be a twenty-cubit curtain, embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely spun linen…”
•Exodus 28:6 “They are to fashion the ephod of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and of finely spun linen—the work of a skilled craftsman.”
𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩
Twisting multiple linen strands produces a thread that is both durable and able to accept vivid dye. The resulting fabric combines the natural purity of linen with the rich hues of blue, purple, and scarlet. Scripture repeatedly links this workmanship to “skilled craftsmen” (Exodus 28:6; 35:35), underscoring that aesthetic excellence is expected in worship settings. Shazar therefore highlights human artistry employed under divine guidance to create objects suitable for the presence of God.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦
• Linen’s whiteness communicates purity and righteousness (compareRevelation 19:8), wholly appropriate for the dwelling place of the Holy One.
• Twisting speaks of unity—individual fibers becoming one thread, individual threads becoming one cloth—mirroring the covenant community gathered around the tabernacle.
• The blending of colored yarns with the white linen weaves multiple redemptive themes: blue (heavenly origin), purple (royal authority), scarlet (atoning blood). In the priestly garments these combined threads proclaim the character and work of the coming High Priest, Jesus Christ, who embodies heaven’s royalty and provides atonement through His blood.
𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡
The ephod, breastpiece, and robe bearing shazar threads were worn by Aaron “for glory and for beauty” (Exodus 28:2).Hebrews 8–10 interprets these garments and the sanctuary they served as “a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” The twisted linen thus foreshadows the perfect humanity of Christ—strong, pure, and fully suited to carry the colors of divine purpose. Through union with Him, believers become a fabric “knit together in love” (Colossians 2:2), displaying holiness and variety within a single robe of righteousness.
𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬
1. Excellence in service: The painstaking twist of shazar calls modern servants to offer their finest skills for God’s house.
2. Cooperative unity: As separate fibers disappear into one thread, so individual gifts blend to form a strong, beautiful witness.
3. Holiness with vibrancy: Purity (linen) is not colorless; it readily bears the rich dyes of grace, truth, and sacrificial love.
𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲
Shazar focuses the reader on sanctified craftsmanship—linen laboriously twisted for strength, purity, and beauty in every element of Israel’s worship center. In pointing forward to the righteousness of Christ and the unity of His people, the term invites each generation to weave its own service into the ongoing tapestry of redemptive history.
Forms and Transliterations
מָשְׁזָ֑ר מָשְׁזָ֔ר מָשְׁזָ֖ר מָשְׁזָ֗ר מָשְׁזָֽר׃ משזר משזר׃ mā·šə·zār māšəzār masheZar
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