בְּרוֹם
damask (stuff of variegated thread)
Definition
The Hebrew noun בְּרוֹם (bᵉrôwm) refers to a type of luxurious, variegated fabric, likely a fine damask or richly ornamented cloth. It describes material woven with threads of multiple colors, producing a patterned or embroidered effect, indicative of high value and prestige. This term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Ezekiel 27:24, where it is listed among the costly goods traded with the city of Tyre. The word conveys not just a textile but a symbol of opulence and skilled craftsmanship in the ancient Near Eastern marketplace.
Biblical Usage
בְּרוֹם is used only in Ezekiel 27:24, within a detailed inventory of merchandise available in Tyre. The context is a prophetic lament over Tyre's impending fall, enumerating the vast wealth and luxury items that flowed through its ports. Here, בְּרוֹם is categorized under 'rich apparel,' highlighting its association with expensive, decorative garments traded by merchants. Its singular occurrence underscores its specificity as a rare, high-end commodity in biblical trade descriptions.
Etymology
The word בְּרוֹם is probably of foreign origin, borrowed into Hebrew from another ancient Near Eastern language, reflecting the international trade networks of the time. It is not derived from a common Hebrew root, which aligns with its specialized meaning for an imported luxury fabric. Cognates or related terms in other Semitic languages are uncertain, but its foreign derivation emphasizes the exotic and valuable nature of the material it describes.
Semantic Range
While בְּרוֹם itself is not a theologically loaded term, its use in Ezekiel 27:24 contributes to the prophetic theme of human pride and divine judgment. The detailed catalog of Tyre's luxuries, including this fabric, illustrates the city's wealth and self-sufficiency, which led to arrogance. Understanding this word enriches the reading by highlighting the contrast between earthly splendor and God's sovereignty, as Tyre's treasures become symbols of vanity that cannot avert judgment.
In its original cultural setting, בְּרוֹם represented a premium textile, likely imported from regions known for advanced weaving, such as Mesopotamia or Syria. Damask or variegated fabrics were markers of social status, worn by the elite or used in ceremonial contexts. This differs from modern understandings of common cloth, as such materials were rare, labor-intensive, and signified economic power and international trade connections in the ancient world.
שֵׁשׁ (shesh, H8336) — fine linen, often white and high-quality, used for priestly garments. אַרְגָּמָן (argaman, H713) — purple dye or cloth, associated with royalty and wealth. תְּכֵלֶת (tekhelet, H8504) — blue-purple wool, used in sacred textiles and royal attire.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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