Word Study for H5466 (סָדִין)

çâdîyn /saw-deen'/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom an unused root meaning to envelop

Meaninga wrapper, i.e. shirt

KJV usagefine linen, sheet.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of çâdîyn — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word çâdîyn, represented by H5466, refers to a fine linen or sheet. Derived from a root meaning "to envelop," it signifies a wrapper or shirt. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible, consistently denoting a valuable textile product.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H5466 is used in several distinct contexts that highlight its value. In the book of Judges, Samson offers thirty sheets as part of a high-stakes wager tied to a riddle, establishing them as a significant prize Judges 14:12-13. In Proverbs, the virtuous woman is described as one who "maketh fine linen" to sell, portraying the item as a product of skilled craftsmanship and commerce Proverbs 31:24. The prophet Isaiah includes fine linen in a list of luxury goods, alongside items like glasses and hoods, that will be judged Isaiah 3:23.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help illustrate the context of fine textiles and apparel in which H5466 is found:

H2487 chălîyphâh (change, course): This word is used for a "change of garments" and is directly paired with sheets H5466 in Samson's wager, emphasizing their status as valuable articles of clothing Judges 14:12.
H2289 châgôwr (belted; girded with): The Proverbs 31 woman who makes and sells fine linen also "delivereth girdles" to merchants, connecting H5466 to a broader market of crafted textile goods Proverbs 31:24.
H6797 tsânîyph (diadem, hood, mitre): Defined as a head-dress, this word appears alongside fine linen H5466 in Isaiah's list of fineries, underscoring its association with luxury apparel Isaiah 3:23.

Theological Significance

The significance of H5466 is primarily economic and social rather than directly theological. It serves as a marker of value and status within the biblical world.

Symbol of Commerce and Wealth: Its use as a prize in a wager and as a commodity made for sale demonstrates its role as a valuable and tradable good in the ancient economy (Judges 14:12, Proverbs 31:24).
Indicator of Luxury: Being listed by Isaiah among items like hoods and vails marks it as an article of finery and a symbol of a luxurious lifestyle that was subject to prophetic judgment Isaiah 3:23.
Product of Skill: The specific mention of the virtuous woman "maketh fine linen" suggests that its creation was a recognized and respected skill, contributing to a household's prosperity Proverbs 31:24.

Summary

In summary, H5466 is a specific term for fine linen or a sheet that, while rare, provides a clear window into the material culture of the Old Testament. Its appearances in scripture consistently frame it as a valuable commodity, a product of skilled labor, and a symbol of wealth. Though a simple term for a textile, its context reveals its importance in commerce, social status, and prophetic warnings against worldly luxury.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 4 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

סְדִינִים
סָדִין

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Judges (2 verses); never once in the other 36.

Judges

Proverbs

Isaiah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.