שֵׁשׁ
bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble
Definition
The Hebrew word שֵׁשׁ (shêsh) primarily refers to a high-quality, bleached white linen fabric. This fine linen was a luxury material in the ancient world, used for royal garments (Genesis 41:42) and the sacred vestments and tabernacle furnishings of the Israelite priesthood (Exodus 25:4, 26:1). By extension, the word can also denote the white, polished appearance of marble, as seen in its poetic use in Song of Solomon 5:15. In a few late biblical books (Ezekiel, Esther), it may refer to a type of costly fabric, possibly including silk.
Biblical Usage
שֵׁשׁ is used 37 times in the Old Testament, predominantly in Exodus (25 times) in detailed descriptions of the tabernacle's curtains, veils, and priestly garments (e.g., Exodus 26:1, 28:5). It signifies a material set apart for sacred and royal purposes. Its use in Genesis 41:42 marks Joseph's elevation to Egyptian royalty. Later prophetic and poetic books, like Ezekiel 16:10 and Song of Solomon, use it to symbolize luxury, purity, and beauty.
Etymology
The word שֵׁשׁ is likely derived from an Egyptian loanword for 'linen'. It is sometimes connected to or confused with שַׁיִשׁ (shayish, H7893), meaning 'alabaster' or 'marble', explaining its extended meaning. The alternate form שְׁשִׁי (sheshi) appears in Ezekiel and Esther, possibly for literary variation or to indicate a slightly different, perhaps even finer, fabric.
Semantic Range
שֵׁשׁ carries significant theological weight as a material divinely designated for holiness. Its use almost exclusively for the tabernacle and priestly attire (Exodus 26-28) marks a clear separation between the common and the sacred, symbolizing purity, consecration, and God's glorious presence. Its association with royalty (Genesis 41:42) also prefigures the priesthood and kingship of Christ. Understanding this material's cost and exclusivity deepens our appreciation for the beauty, order, and profound holiness God commanded for worship.
Fine white linen (שֵׁשׁ) was a symbol of extreme wealth, status, and purity in the ancient Near East. It was more valuable than ordinary wool and was associated with the elite, priests, and deities. Its brilliant white color, achieved through a laborious bleaching process, made it visually striking. In the biblical context, using this premium material for the tabernacle demonstrated that the very best was to be offered to God, reflecting His supreme worth.
בּוּץ (buts, H948) — another term for fine linen, often used in parallel with שֵׁשׁ (e.g., 1 Chronicles 15:27). פִּשְׁתִּים (pishtim, H6593) — a more general term for flax or linen thread. שַׁיִשׁ (shayish, H7893) — specifically 'alabaster' or 'marble', the source of the extended meaning for שֵׁשׁ.
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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