שַׁעַטְנֵז

שַׁעַטְנֵז

linsey-woolsey, i.e. cloth of linen and wool carded and spun together

Definition

The Hebrew word שַׁעַטְנֵז (shaʻaṭnêz) refers to a mixed fabric, specifically a cloth woven from a combination of linen and wool threads. This term appears exclusively in two legal passages in the Torah that prohibit wearing such a mixture (Leviticus 19:19, Deuteronomy 22:11). The prohibition is part of a broader set of laws concerning the separation of different kinds, which includes not mixing seeds in a field or breeding different kinds of animals. The precise nature of the fabric—whether it was a specific type of garment or any cloth containing the blend—is defined by the biblical context as a forbidden mixture.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in legal contexts within the Torah's holiness and civil codes. In Leviticus 19:19, it appears within a chapter detailing various laws for holy living. In Deuteronomy 22:11, the prohibition is reiterated as part of statutes for the community. In both instances, the usage is prescriptive and negative, commanding Israelites not to wear שַׁעַטְנֵז. There is no narrative or poetic usage; it is solely a technical term in legal material.

Etymology

The etymology of שַׁעַטְנֵז is uncertain and is noted in lexicons as probably of foreign origin. It does not derive from a clear Hebrew root. Some scholars have suggested possible connections to Egyptian or Akkadian words for types of cloth or weaving, but no definitive origin has been established. Its meaning is thus defined by its biblical usage rather than its linguistic roots.

Semantic Range

The word שַׁעַטְנֵז is theologically significant as it relates to the biblical concept of holiness (קדשׁ, qodesh) and separation. The prohibition against mixing linen and wool in a garment (like the prohibitions against mixing seeds or breeds) symbolizes the principle that God's people are to maintain distinctions and purity as set by God (Leviticus 20:26). This law, part of the ceremonial or ritual law, taught Israel about being a distinct, holy nation. For modern readers, understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Torah by highlighting how physical practices were designed to instill spiritual truths about order, identity, and devotion to God's statutes. In the ancient Near Eastern cultural context, fabrics made from linen (a plant fiber) and wool (an animal fiber) were common materials. The specific prohibition against mixing them in שַׁעַטְנֵז is unique to Israelite law and is not known from surrounding cultures. It may have been intended to distinguish Israel's practices from those of their neighbors, or it could relate to symbolic purity laws where mixing represented a blurring of created categories. The modern understanding often misses this symbolic, covenantal dimension, reducing it to a mere textile rule. בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a general term for garment or clothing, which could be made of various materials, unlike the specific forbidden mixture of שַׁעַטְנֵז.

Word Details