בּוּץ

בּוּץ

probably cotton (of some sort)

Definition

The Hebrew noun בּוּץ (bûwts) refers to a luxurious, high-quality textile, most likely a fine, white linen. It is often associated with royalty, wealth, and sacred contexts. In passages like 2 Chronicles 3:14, it is used for the veil in Solomon's Temple, indicating its use in holy spaces. Elsewhere, such as in Esther 1:6 and 8:15, it describes the lavish garments of King Ahasuerus and Mordecai, highlighting its connection to royal status and celebration.

Biblical Usage

בּוּץ is used exclusively in contexts of significant wealth, royalty, or worship. It appears in the historical books of Chronicles (1 Chronicles 4:21; 15:27; 2 Chronicles 2:14; 3:14; 5:12), describing materials for the Temple and royal garments. In Esther (1:6; 8:15), it denotes the opulent fabrics of the Persian court. In Ezekiel 27:16, it is listed among the valuable trade goods of Tyre, emphasizing its economic worth. The word consistently signifies a premium material for elite or divine use.

Etymology

The word likely derives from an unused root meaning 'to be white' or 'to bleach,' pointing to the characteristic color and processed quality of the fabric. This etymological connection underscores the textile's refined, purified appearance. While the exact plant source (possibly cotton or a fine linen) is debated, the root meaning highlights the deliberate craftsmanship involved in producing its distinctive white hue.

Semantic Range

בּוּץ carries theological weight as a material designated for holiness and divine glory. Its use in the Temple's veil (2 Chronicles 3:14) symbolizes separation and sacred space, while its association with royal garments in Esther reflects God's providential elevation of His people. Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting how physical materials in scripture can point to spiritual realities of purity, consecration, and God's blessing upon human authority and worship. In the ancient Near East, fine white fabrics like בּוּץ were markers of extreme luxury, accessible only to the elite—kings, high officials, and temples. Its mention alongside other precious goods in trade (Ezekiel 27:16) confirms its high economic value. This contrasts with modern, mass-produced textiles, reminding readers that in biblical times, such materials were rare symbols of status, power, and religious devotion. שֵׁשׁ (shesh, H8336) — also fine linen, but more commonly used, including for priestly garments; פִּשְׁתָּה (pishtah, H6593) — flax, the raw material for linen; בַּד (bad, H906) — linen cloth, often in simpler or more general contexts.

Word Details