Lexical Summary
shesh: Linen
Original Word:שֵׁשׁ
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:shesh
Pronunciation:shaysh
Phonetic Spelling:(shaysh)
KJV: X blue, fine ((twined)) linen, marble, silk
NASB:fine linen
Word Origin:[forH7893 (שַׁיִשׁ - alabaster)]
1. bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
blue, fine twined linen, marble, silk
Or (for alliteration withmeshiy) shshiy {shesh-ee'}; forshayish; bleached stuff, i.e. White linen or (by analogy) marble -- X blue, fine ((twined)) linen, marble, silk.
see HEBREWmeshiy
see HEBREWshayish
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originof foreign origin
Definitionbyssus
NASB Translationfine linen (16), fine...linen (21), finely...linen (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. id.; —
Songs 5:15 (in figurative),
Esther 1:6a, material of pavement
Esther 1:6b (see ). — I. see .
III.Exodus 26:1 (loan-word probably from Egyptianšen-suten Reinischap.DHMVOJ viii (1894), 7 Copticšens, compare Copticšent,weave; see M'LeanEncy.Bib. LINEN; on spinning, weaving, and wearing of linen in Egypt ErmanAegypten 594 ff.; Eng. Trans. 448 f.); — always absolute (Ezekiel 16:13 is error): —byssus, fine Egyptian linen ( , q. v., is later synonym), i.e. the linen thread (spun by womenExodus 35:25), and the material woven from it: used for garmentsGenesis 41:42 (E),Ezekiel 16:10,13 (, read ),Proverbs 31:22; for sail (in figurative of Tyre as ship)Ezekiel 27:7 (brought from Egypt); elsewhere P, of priestly vestmentsExodus 28:5,39 (twice in verse);Exodus 39:3,27,28 (twice in verse); alsotwisted linenExodus 28:6,8,15;Exodus 39:2,5,8,28,29 +Exodus 39:24 (read Bae); of hangings, etc., in tabernacleExodus 25:4;Exodus 35:6,23,25,35;Exodus 38:23, and soExodus 26:1,31,36;Exodus 27:9,16,18;Exodus 36:8,35,37;Exodus 38:9,16,18.
Topical Lexicon
Strong’s Hebrew 8336 שֵׁשׁ
Range of Old Testament Usage
The word appears about forty-one times, concentrated in the Exodus narrative but found as late as Ezekiel and Esther. Every occurrence refers to high-quality, white, finely spun linen thread or cloth.
Cultic and Priestly Importance
1. Curtaining and Veils. The innermost coverings of the tabernacle were “ten curtains of fine twisted linen” embroidered with cherubim (Exodus 26:1), and the veil that hid the Most Holy Place was woven of the same material (Exodus 26:31). By surrounding the ark with spotless fabric, the architecture itself testified to the holiness of God.
2. Garments for Aaron and His Sons. “They are to make the ephod of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen” (Exodus 28:6). Tunic, turban, sash, and even the undergarments (Exodus 28:39-42) were linen, emphasizing purity and separation from common life (cf.Leviticus 6:10; though a different Hebrew term is used there, the concept of linen priestly dress remains).
3. Court Fence and Gate. The courtyard’s hangings and entrance curtain were woven of the same cloth (Exodus 27:9-16), visually enclosing the sacred precincts with purity.
Expression of Royal Splendor
Genesis 41:42 records that Pharaoh “clothed [Joseph] in garments of fine linen.” Centuries later, the Persian king held a feast amid “hangings of white linen and blue fabric… fastened with cords of fine linen” (Esther 1:6). In both narratives linen marks honor, power, and elevation.
Economic and International Value
Ezekiel’s oracle over Tyre highlights linen as a prized export: “Of fine embroidered linen from Egypt were your sail to serve as your banner” (Ezekiel 27:7). The prophet’s mention of both Egypt and trade routes shows that the textile was a sought-after commodity, linking Israel’s sanctuary fabric to a larger Mediterranean economy.
Symbol of Moral Purity and Righteousness
Proverbs contrasts righteous and unrighteous uses of luxury. The adulteress boasts, “I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linens from Egypt” (Proverbs 7:16), exposing how what is materially pure can be pressed into moral impurity. Song of Solomon reverses the picture, presenting linen imagery within covenant love (Song of Solomon 5:15, implicit).
Prophetic and Angelic Resonance
Although the Hebrew term for the linen-clad figure inEzekiel 9:2 is different, the repeated pairing of white linen with heavenly messengers (cf.Daniel 10:5) echoes the priestly ideal. Linen becomes a visual shorthand for holiness that bridges earthly worship and heavenly reality.
Foreshadowing New-Covenant Revelation
Revelation 19:8 declares, “Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.” The Greek word differs, yet John’s choice of linen language deliberately recalls the spotless fabric that shrouded the earthly sanctuary and clothed the Levitical priesthood. The continuity reinforces Scripture’s unified testimony: from tabernacle to New Jerusalem, only what is clean may approach God.
Ministry Implications
• Worship Planning. The material culture of Exodus encourages churches to consider beauty and purity in sanctuary design without confusing aesthetics with holiness.
• Teaching on Holiness. Linen’s biblical account supplies vivid object lessons: purity must cover both priest and place; righteousness is more than an inner feeling—it is meant to be seen.
• Marketplace Theology.Ezekiel 27 invites believers engaged in commerce to view their goods as potential instruments of divine glory rather than mere profit.
Key References
Genesis 41:42;Exodus 25:4; 26:1, 31, 36; 27:9-16; 28:6, 39-42; 35:6, 23, 25, 35; 36:8, 35, 37; 38:9-18; 39:2-29;Proverbs 7:16;Song of Solomon 5:15;Esther 1:6;Ezekiel 16:10, 13;Ezekiel 27:7.
Forms and Transliterations
בַּשֵּׁ֔שׁ בשש הַשֵּֽׁשׁ׃ הַשֵּׁ֑שׁ השש השש׃ וְשֵׁ֣שׁ וְשֵׁ֥שׁ וָשֵׁ֖שׁ וּבַשֵּֽׁשׁ׃ וּבַשֵּׁ֖שׁ ובשש ובשש׃ ושש שֵׁ֑שׁ שֵׁ֔שׁ שֵׁ֖שׁ שֵׁ֣שׁ שֵׁ֥שׁ שֵׁשׁ־ שֵׁ֤שׁ שש שש־ baš·šêš bashShesh baššêš haš·šêš hashShesh haššêš šêš šêš- Shesh ū·ḇaš·šêš ūḇaššêš uvashShesh vaShesh veShesh wā·šêš wāšêš wə·šêš wəšêš
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