Lexical Summary
buts: Fine linen
Original Word:בּוּץ
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:buwts
Pronunciation:boots
Phonetic Spelling:(boots)
KJV: fine (white) linen
NASB:fine linen, linen, fine linen
Word Origin:[from an unused root (of the same form) meaning to bleach; (intransitive) be white]
1. probably cotton (of some sort)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
fine white linen
From an unused root (of the same form) meaning to bleach, i.e. (intransitive) be white; probably cotton (of some sort) -- fine (white) linen.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitionbyssus
NASB Translationfine linen (5), fine...linen (1), linen (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, (late), (Phoenician , Aramaic ,
; √ dubious; Birch, Wilkinson
Egyptians ii. 158 f. from Egyptian
hbos,,
clothe; see Say. Herodot
ii. 86; Thes from √ , but Nö
ZMG 1875, 650; Armen., according to Lag
Semitic i. 72 and others) a fine white Egyptian linen, and cloth made of it,
1 Chronicles 4:21families of the house of byssus-working; compare 2 Chron 2:13;
1 Chronicles 15:27clothed in a robe of byssus (but read rather as ""
2 Samuel 6:14was dancing with all his might); compare
Esther 8:15; 2Chronicles 5:12;
Esther 1:6; 2Chronicles 3:14 material of ; article of trade
Ezekiel 27:16 (strike out Co). compare also .
(= ).
Topical Lexicon
OverviewThe Hebrew term בּוּץ appears eight times in Scripture, denoting a costly, brilliantly white textile woven from exceptionally fine fibers. Its contexts range from temple worship to royal courts and international commerce, each usage underscoring purity, honor, and distinction.
Occurrences and Immediate Settings
1.1 Chronicles 4:21 – The clan of Shelah is noted as “the families of linen workers at Beth Ashbea,” showing that the production of בּוּץ was an established craft within Judah.
2.1 Chronicles 15:27 – “David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark …”. Linen attire aligns the king and ministers with the sanctity of the ark procession.
3.2 Chronicles 2:14 – Huram-abi, the master craftsman from Tyre, is skilled in working with “purple, blue, fine linen, and crimson,” integrating בּוּץ into Solomon’s temple preparations.
4.2 Chronicles 3:14 – The veil separating Holy Place from Most Holy Place is fashioned of “blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen,” signifying heavenly purity guarding God’s presence.
5.2 Chronicles 5:12 – At the temple dedication “all the Levitical singers … stood east of the altar, dressed in fine linen,” portraying worship marked by holiness and order.
6.Esther 1:6 – Xerxes’ banquet hall is arrayed with “hangings of white and violet linen … fastened with cords of fine linen,” broadcasting imperial splendor.
7.Esther 8:15 – Mordecai exits the palace “wearing royal purple and white, a large crown of gold, and a robe of fine linen and purple,” publicly identifying him with restored authority.
8.Ezekiel 27:16 – Aram trades Tyre “emeralds, purple, embroidered cloth, fine linen, coral, and rubies,” attesting to linen’s high commercial value in the ancient Near East.
Cultic and Liturgical Significance
Temple passages (2 Chronicles 2–5) consistently link בּוּץ with the presence of God. Garments and draperies of spotless linen visually communicate moral purity (compareExodus 28:42-43). When David and the Levites don linen robes (1 Chronicles 15:27), the same standard of holiness that applies to priests is extended to the king and musicians, depicting corporate consecration.
Royal and Political Symbolism
In Esther, fine linen marks both the opulence of a pagan empire and God’s providence in exalting His people within it. Mordecai’s linen robe (Esther 8:15) is more than finery; it signals divine reversal, as the once-condemned Jew now wears garments of victory analogous to Joseph’s coat of authority inGenesis 41:42.
Economic and International Dimensions
Ezekiel 27:16 lists בּוּץ among luxury commodities trafficked to Tyre, demonstrating Israel’s participation in a broader Mediterranean economy. Skilled Judean craftsmen (1 Chronicles 4:21) and Tyrian artisans (2 Chronicles 2:14) together show that excellence in textile production can serve both sacred and secular spheres.
Spiritual and Typological Implications
White linen reappears inRevelation 19:8—“Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” The bridal garment of the Church is explicitly interpreted as “the righteous acts of the saints,” echoing Old Testament associations between бוץ and holiness. Thus, earthly linen points forward to the imputed and practical righteousness granted through Christ.
Applications for Ministry
• Worship leaders can model purity and reverence, paralleling Levites clothed in fine linen.
• Believers working in crafts or commerce are reminded that skill and beauty may glorify God when surrendered to His purposes, as with Huram-abi.
• The motif of linen in Esther encourages trust that God can robe His people with honor even in hostile cultures.
• Teaching on Revelation’s linen garments reinforces the call to live lives “without stain or wrinkle” (Ephesians 5:27), anticipating the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Summary
בּוּץ embodies themes of holiness, dignity, and costly beauty across worship, governance, and trade. From temple singers to Persian kings, fine linen testifies that God values purity and excellence, ultimately pointing to the spotless righteousness bestowed on all who are in Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
ב֣וּץ בּ֖וּץ בּ֗וּץ בוץ הַבֻּ֖ץ הבץ וּב֑וּץ וּבַבּ֣וּץ וּבוּץ֙ ובבוץ ובוץ būṣ ḇūṣ Butz hab·buṣ habbuṣ habButz ū·ḇab·būṣ ū·ḇūṣ ūḇabbūṣ ūḇūṣ uvabButz uVutz vutz
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
