(Aramaic) corresponding to לְבוּשׁ; {a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife}; garment.
Transliteration:lᵉbûwsh
Pronunciation:leb-oosh'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic noun H3831 (לְבוּשׁ, lᵉbûwsh) signifies "a garment" or "clothing." It is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew `{{H3830}}` (lᵉbûsh) and is derived from the verb `{{H3847}}` (lābash), meaning "to put on" or "to wear." Its primary semantic range encompasses any item of apparel worn by a person, whether for everyday use, ceremonial purposes, or as a symbol of status. The base definition also notes a potential euphemistic implication of "a wife," suggesting that a wife might be considered as something that covers or intimately belongs to a man, much like a garment. However, this specific euphemistic usage is not explicitly attested in the biblical occurrences of H3831. The word predominantly functions to denote literal clothing, with significant symbolic extensions in specific contexts.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H3831 appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Book of Daniel. Its occurrences can be categorized by their contextual application:
1. **Literal Clothing for Protection/Survival:** In [[Daniel 3:21]] and [[Daniel 3:27]], the word refers to the "garments" (coats, hose, hats, and other clothing) of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, which remained miraculously untouched by the fiery furnace. This highlights God's absolute power to preserve even the most fragile aspects of human existence amidst extreme peril. The unchanged state of their garments serves as a tangible sign of divine intervention.
2. **Royal Attire and Honor:** In [[Daniel 5:7]], [[Daniel 5:16]], and [[Daniel 5:29]], H3831 denotes the "scarlet" garments promised and eventually bestowed upon Daniel by King Belshazzar. These garments, along with a gold chain, symbolize high honor, royal favor, and elevated status within the Babylonian kingdom. They represent a public acknowledgment of Daniel's wisdom and prophetic insight, serving as an external marker of his newly conferred authority.
3. **Divine Attire and Majesty:** Perhaps the most profound usage of H3831 occurs in [[Daniel 7:9]], where it describes the "garment" of the Ancient of Days, which was "white as snow." In this apocalyptic vision, the divine clothing is not merely utilitarian but profoundly symbolic. Its pristine whiteness signifies absolute purity, holiness, righteousness, and unapproachable majesty. This imagery contributes to the awe-inspiring depiction of God as the supreme Judge and sovereign ruler over all creation.
### Related Words & Concepts
H3831 is intimately connected to its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H3830}}` (lᵉbûsh), which shares the identical meaning of "garment" or "clothing" and appears much more frequently throughout the Old Testament. Both nouns derive from the verb `{{H3847}}` (lābash), "to put on" or "to clothe oneself," establishing a clear lexical relationship between the act of wearing and the item worn.
Other related Hebrew terms that convey the concept of clothing include `{{H899}}` (beged), a general term for a garment or covering, and `{{H3688}}` (kesût), which refers to covering or clothing, often with an emphasis on protection or modesty. The broader biblical concept of clothing extends beyond mere physical covering to encompass identity, status, purity, mourning, joy, and even spiritual states (e.g., "garments of salvation," "robe of righteousness").
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H3831 in the Book of Daniel is multifaceted:
1. **Divine Preservation and Sovereignty:** The unburnt garments of the three young men in the furnace (Daniel 3) powerfully attest to God's miraculous power and his commitment to preserving those who faithfully serve Him. It underscores the theme of divine sovereignty over natural laws and human malice.
2. **Human Honor and Divine Favor:** The royal garments bestowed upon Daniel (Daniel 5) illustrate how earthly honors can be conferred by human rulers, yet ultimately reflect a divine orchestration. Daniel's elevation is a consequence of God's favor and wisdom working through him, demonstrating that even secular authority can be compelled to acknowledge God's servants.
3. **Divine Purity and Judgment:** The "garment white as snow" of the Ancient of Days in [[Daniel 7:9]] is a central theological image. It portrays God's absolute holiness, righteousness, and unblemished character. This pristine attire sets the stage for the solemn scene of divine judgment, where the pure and righteous God presides over the destinies of nations and individuals. The whiteness evokes light, truth, and moral perfection, emphasizing God's role as the ultimate arbiter of justice. This imagery resonates with other biblical depictions of divine glory and purity, such as God dwelling in unapproachable light.
### Summary
The Aramaic word H3831 (לְבוּשׁ, lᵉbûwsh) primarily denotes "a garment" or "clothing," serving as the direct counterpart to the Hebrew `{{H3830}}`. While its base definition notes a potential euphemistic meaning of "a wife," this specific usage is not found in its biblical occurrences. In the Book of Daniel, H3831 functions in three significant ways: literally, describing the miraculously preserved clothing of the faithful in the fiery furnace, thereby signifying divine protection; symbolically, representing the royal honor and status bestowed upon Daniel; and most profoundly, depicting the pure, white garment of the Ancient of Days, which powerfully conveys God's absolute holiness, righteousness, and majestic authority as the divine Judge. Thus, H3831 contributes significantly to the theological themes of divine sovereignty, preservation, and the awe-inspiring nature of God in the Aramaic portions of Scripture.
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