רָדִיד

רָדִיד

a veil (as expanded)

Definition

רָדִיד (râdîyd) refers to a specific type of veil or head covering worn by women in the ancient Near East. It is a noun derived from a root meaning 'to spread out,' suggesting a large, expansive garment. In its two biblical occurrences, it consistently denotes a luxurious or ornamental veil, part of a woman's attire. In Song of Solomon 5:7, the removal of the רָדִיד by the watchmen symbolizes the vulnerability and shame experienced by the female speaker. In Isaiah 3:23, it is listed among the fine clothing and jewelry that will be taken away from the proud women of Jerusalem as a sign of God's coming judgment.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in poetic books. In Song of Solomon 5:7, it appears in a narrative of personal distress and loss. In Isaiah 3:23, it is part of a prophetic oracle of judgment, listed among items of vanity and pride that will be removed. The usage pattern shows it was a recognizable item of valuable female apparel, used literally but carrying symbolic weight in both contexts—personal shame and national judgment.

Etymology

Derived from the root רָדַד (râdad, H7286), which means 'to beat out, spread, subdue.' The noun form רָדִיד carries the sense of something 'spread out,' hence a large, possibly flowing veil or shawl. This connects the garment's physical description to the action of its fabrication or how it was worn.

Semantic Range

While a specific clothing item, the רָדִיד gains theological significance in its contexts. In Song of Solomon, its loss touches on themes of love, vulnerability, and the search for the beloved. In Isaiah, its removal is a direct act of God's judgment against the pride and self-reliance of Judah (Isaiah 3:16-26), illustrating how God strips away false security and external adornment to expose spiritual poverty. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by connecting a physical object to larger biblical themes of shame, judgment, and the contrast between outward appearance and inward reality. In ancient Israelite and broader Near Eastern culture, veils like the רָדִיד were not merely for modesty but were often markers of social status, wealth, and marital status. The specific term likely indicated a fine, possibly gauzy or ornate, wrap or shawl, distinct from a simple face covering. Its inclusion in Isaiah's list of finery (Isaiah 3:18-24) confirms it was a luxury item. Its forcible removal in both biblical passages would have been understood as a profound cultural insult and a sign of degradation or mourning. צָעִיף (tsaʻîyph, H6809) — a more general term for a veil or covering. מַסְוֶה (maçveh, H4533) — a veil used specifically to cover the face, like the one Moses wore (Exodus 34:33-35).

Word Details