the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Dictionaries
Linen, Linen Cloth, Fine Linen
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words
or was "a fine linen cloth, an article of domestic manufacture" (Proverbs 31:24 ) used (a) as a garment or wrap, the "linen cloth" of Mark 14:51,52; (b) as shrouds or winding sheets, Matthew 27:59; Mark 15:46 , RV, "linen cloth," for AV, "linen;" Luke 23:53 (ditto). In the Sept., Judges 14:12 , "(thirty) sheets;" Proverbs 31:24 (see above). The Mishna (the Great Collection of legal decisions by the ancient Rabbis) records that the material was sometimes used for curtains.
denotes (a) "flax," Matthew 12:20; (b) "linen," in Revelation 15:6 , AV; the best texts have lithos, "stone," RV. See FLAX.
"a piece of fine linen," is used in the plural, of the strips of cloth with which the body of the Lord was bound, after being wrapped in the sindon, Luke 24:12; John 19:40; 20:5,6,7 . In the Sept., Judges 14:13 , "changes of raiment;" Hosea 2:5,9 . The word is a diminutive of othone, "a sheet" (see SHEET).
"fine linen," made from a special species of flax, a word of Aramean origin, used especially for the Syrian byssus (Arab. bus is still used for native "linen"). Cp. Heb. bus, in all OT passages quoted here, except Ezekiel 27:7; Syriac busa in Luke 16:19 . It is the material mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:21 , wrought by the house of Ashbea; 1 Chronicles 15:27 , bussinos, No. 5 (David's robe); 2 Chronicles 3:14 , bussos (the veil of the Temple); 2 Chronicles 5:12 , bussinos (the clothing of the Levite singers); Esther 1:6 (the cords of the hangings in the king's garden); Esther 8:15 (Mordecai's dress); Ezekiel 27:7 (bussos, in Syrian trade with Tyre). In the NT, Luke 16:19 , the clothing of the "rich man."
an adjective formed from No. 4, denoting "made of fine linen." This is used of the clothing of the mystic Babylon, Revelation 18:12,16 , and of the suitable attire of the Lamb's wife, 19:8,14, figuratively describing "the righteous acts of the saints." The presumption of Babylon is conspicuous in that she arrays herself in that which alone befits the bride of Christ. For examples of the use in the Sept. see No. 4.
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Vines, W. E., M. A. Entry for 'Linen, Linen Cloth, Fine Linen'. Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ved/l/linen-linen-cloth-fine-linen.html. 1940.
