שָׁבִיס
a netting for the hair
Definition
The Hebrew word שָׁבִיס (shâbîyç) refers to a decorative hair accessory, specifically a type of netting or headband worn by women. In its sole biblical occurrence in Isaiah 3:18, it is listed among the extravagant fineries that the women of Jerusalem would have stripped from them as a judgment from God. The term likely denotes an ornate, woven hair covering or snood used to adorn and contain the hair. While some older translations, like the KJV, render it as 'caul' (a netted cap), modern lexicons and translations consistently understand it as a luxury item related to hairstyling.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 3:18. It appears in a list of lavish clothing and jewelry items that symbolize the pride and vanity of the women of Judah. The context is prophetic judgment, where God declares He will remove these adornments as part of the nation's coming humiliation and punishment. There are no other usage patterns, as it is a hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once).
Etymology
The noun שָׁבִיס (shâbîyç) is derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to interweave' or 'to plait.' This etymological background directly informs its meaning as a woven or netted hair accessory. Cognates in other Semitic languages support the sense of a band or binding. The word's formation clearly points to an object created by weaving, fitting its description as hair netting.
Semantic Range
While the word itself names a mundane object, its theological significance lies entirely in its context in Isaiah 3:16-24. It serves as a potent symbol of misplaced pride, luxury, and societal decay that provoked God's judgment. Understanding this specific term enriches the reading of Isaiah's prophecy by highlighting the concrete, everyday symbols of vanity that God would remove, emphasizing that His judgment touches even the most personal aspects of life and status.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, particularly among affluent women in Jerusalem, elaborate hairstyles and hair accessories were markers of social status, beauty, and wealth. A שָׁבִיס was not merely functional but a luxury item, part of a suite of adornments that displayed one's position. Its inclusion in Isaiah's list reflects a culture where such external displays had become associated with arrogance and a neglect of justice and righteousness, provoking prophetic condemnation.
פְּאֵר (pe'er, H6287) — a general term for a headdress, turban, or ornament, often of a priestly or celebratory nature (e.g., Ezekiel 24:17). צָנִיף (tsânîyph, H6797) — a turban or head-wrap, often associated with dignity or office (e.g., Job 29:14).
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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