שְׁתִי
a fixture, i.e. the warp in weaving
Definition
The Hebrew noun שְׁתִי (shᵉthîy) specifically refers to the 'warp' threads in the process of weaving. In ancient textile production, the warp consists of the long, stationary threads stretched lengthwise on a loom, through which the weft (or woof) is woven crosswise. In the Bible, this term appears exclusively in Leviticus 13, where it is used to describe the material—whether in wool or linen fabric, or in the warp or weft of a garment—that might be contaminated by a spreading skin disease or mold. The word denotes a fundamental, fixed component of a woven item, essential to its structure.
Biblical Usage
This word is used nine times, all within Leviticus 13:48-58, in the context of laws concerning infectious skin diseases and mildew in fabrics. It is used alongside its counterpart, the 'weft' (עֵרֶב, 'ereb, H6154), to specify the material of a potentially contaminated garment. The repeated usage establishes a legal standard for inspection, emphasizing that the priest must examine the affliction whether it is in the garment's warp, weft, leather, or any article (e.g., Leviticus 13:48-49, 51-53, 56-58).
Etymology
Derived from the root שִׁית (shîyth, H7896), meaning 'to put, set, or place.' This root conveys the idea of establishing something in a fixed position, which perfectly aligns with the function of the warp threads as the stationary, foundational set of threads in the loom.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is technical, its exclusive use in the Levitical purity laws gives it theological significance. It highlights God's concern for holiness permeating every detail of Israel's life, even the materials of their clothing. The meticulous inspection of both warp and weft (Leviticus 13:48-49) symbolizes God's comprehensive knowledge and the need for purity in the foundational (warp) and interwoven (weft) aspects of communal life. Understanding this term enriches reading by clarifying the precision and seriousness of the Old Testament purity codes.
In an ancient agrarian society, clothing and textiles were valuable possessions. The detailed laws in Leviticus 13 regarding mildew in fabrics reflect practical concerns for health and hygiene, as well as the economic importance of preserving material goods. The distinction between warp and weft would have been common knowledge in a culture where home weaving was prevalent, making this a very concrete, tangible term for the original audience.
עֵרֶב ('ereb, H6154) — the 'woof' or 'weft,' the transverse threads woven through the stationary warp.
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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