English · KJV
H7289

רָדִיד

râdîyd /raw-deed'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom רָדַד in the sense of spreading
Meaninga veil (as expanded)
KJV usagevail, veil.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of râdîyd — 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 râdîyd, represented by H7289, is defined as a veil or vail. Derived from a root meaning "to spread," it suggests an expanded piece of cloth used as a covering. This term is quite rare, appearing only 2 times in 2 unique verses in the Bible.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two appearances of H7289 place it in distinct contexts. In Isaiah, vails are listed among a catalogue of luxurious apparel, including glasses, fine linen, and hoods, which are subject to judgment Isaiah 3:23. In Song of Solomon, the veil is a personal garment that is forcibly taken from the speaker by the city watchmen who find, smite, and wound her, an act committed by the very keepers of the walls meant to provide protection Song of Solomon 5:7.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context in which H7289 is used:

  • H8104 shâmar (keeper, watchmen): This word means to guard or protect. In Song of Solomon, the "watchmen" and "keepers" act contrary to their function by assaulting the speaker and taking her veil Song of Solomon 5:7.
  • H5466 çâdîyn (fine linen): Listed alongside vails in Isaiah's prophecy, this term for a wrapper or sheet places H7289 in the category of valuable textiles and fashionable attire Isaiah 3:23.
  • H6797 tsânîyph (hoods): Also appearing with vails, this word for a head-dress, diadem, or mitre reinforces the idea that H7289 is an item of adornment worn on or about the head Isaiah 3:23.

Theological Significance

The significance of H7289 is drawn entirely from its contextual usage.

  • Symbol of Dignity and Violation: In Song of Solomon 5:7, the removal of the veil is part of a violent act. The watchmen H8104 who should guard H8104 the city H5892 instead smite H5221 and wound H6481 her, and taking the veil is the final part of this assault.
  • Marker of Worldly Finery: In Isaiah 3:23, the vail is presented as an article of luxury. Its inclusion in a long list of expensive adornments marks it as a symbol of the worldly pride and excess that will be judged.
  • Item of Female Apparel: Both instances of H7289 describe an article of clothing worn by women, connecting it to themes of personal appearance, status, and vulnerability.

Summary

In summary, H7289 râdîyd is a specific term for a veil whose meaning is defined by its two starkly different biblical contexts. It is portrayed on one hand as an object of luxury associated with divine judgment, and on the other as a personal possession whose removal signifies deep violation and the failure of those meant to protect. This word demonstrates how a simple garment can carry significant weight, representing both worldly status and personal dignity.

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 2 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.

  • רְדִידִים
  • רְדִידִ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H8104 שָׁמַר a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.; beward, H5466 סָדִין from an unused root meaning to envelop; a wrapper, i.e. shirt; fine linen, sheet. H6797 צָנִיף or צָנוֹף; or (feminine) צָנִיפָה; from צָנַף; a head-dress (i.e. piece of cloth wrapped around); diadem, hood, mitre. H5892 עִיר or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest H5221 נָכָה a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [id H6481 פָּצַע a primitive root; to split, i.e. wound; wound.

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 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Song of Solomon and Isaiah (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Song of Solomon
1
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.