Encyclopedia entry
Linen
Disambiguation
The source enumerates 6 distinct subjects under Linen. Jump to one below, or read in order.
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 (Luke 24:12; John 20:7), turbans (Ezek. 44:18), and lamp-wicks (Isa. 42:3).
Linen (2)
#Heb. buts, “whiteness;” rendered “fine linen” in 1 Chr. 4:21; 15:27; 2 Chr. 2:14; 3:14; Esther 1:6; 8:15, and “white linen” 2 Chr. 5:12. It is not certain whether this word means cotton or linen.
Linen (3)
#Heb. bad; rendered “linen” Ex. 28:42; 39:28; Lev. 6:10; 16:4, 23, 32; 1 Sam. 2:18; 2 Sam. 6:14, etc. It is uniformly used of the sacred vestments worn by the priests. The word is from a root signifying “separation.”
Linen (4)
#Heb. shesh; rendered “fine linen” Ex. 25:4; 26:1, 31, 36, etc. In Prov. 31:22 it is rendered in Authorized Version “silk,” and in Revised Version “fine linen.” The word denotes Egyptian linen of peculiar whiteness and fineness (byssus). The finest Indian linen, the finest now made, has in an inch one hundred threads of warp and eighty-four of woof; while the Egyptian had sometimes one hundred and forty in the warp and sixty-four in the woof. This was the usual dress of the Egyptian priest. Pharaoh arrayed Joseph in a dress of linen (Gen. 41:42).
Linen (5)
#Heb. ‘etun. Prov. 7:16, “fine linen of Egypt;” in Revised Version, “the yarn of Egypt.”
Linen (6)
#Heb. sadin. Prov. 31:24, “fine linen;” in Revised Version, “linen garments” (Judg. 14:12, 13; Isa. 3:23). From this Hebrew word is probably derived the Greek word sindon, rendered “linen” in Mark 14:51, 52; 15:46; Matt. 27:59.
The word “linen” is used as an emblem of moral purity (Rev. 15:6). In Luke 16:19 it is mentioned as a mark of luxury.
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
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.”
In the Bible
98
Verses where Linen is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 4:21
The sons of Shelah son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah and the clans of the linen workers at Beth-ashbea,
- 1 Chronicles 15:27
Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod.
- 1 Kings 10:28
Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and Kue; the royal merchants purchased them from Kue.
- 1 Samuel 2:18
Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod.
- 1 Samuel 22:18
So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.
- 2 Chronicles 1:16
Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and Kue; the royal merchants purchased them from Kue.
+92 more verses naming Linen.
Scripture on Linen
56
See all 56 +−
- Proverbs 31John 20Exodus 26Exodus 27Exodus 36Leviticus 16Judges 142 Samuel 6Ezekiel 9Ezekiel 10Ezekiel 44Hosea 2Mark 14Genesis 41Exodus 25Leviticus 6Deuteronomy 221 Samuel 21 Chronicles 42 Chronicles 22 Chronicles 5Esther 1Proverbs 7Isaiah 3Isaiah 19Jeremiah 13Ezekiel 16Ezekiel 27Ezekiel 40Daniel 12Matthew 27Luke 16Luke 24Revelation 15Revelation 18Revelation 19Exodus 9Leviticus 19Joshua 21 Samuel 221 Kings 101 Chronicles 152 Chronicles 12 Chronicles 3Esther 8Isaiah 42Daniel 10Mark 15Luke 23John 11John 19
Voices on Linen
2
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.