The Hebrew word shîyth, represented by H7897, means attire or a dress as it is put on. It is a rare term, appearing only 2 times in 2 unique verses in the Bible. In both instances, it describes an outward covering that reveals something significant about the character or state of the person wearing it.
In its biblical usage, H7897 is employed to illustrate negative qualities. In Proverbs, it describes the "attire of an harlot" which signals a woman who is "subtil of heart" Proverbs 7:10. In Psalms, the word is used metaphorically to depict the wicked, for whom "violence covereth them as a garment" Psalms 73:6. In this context, the garment is not literal cloth but the violence that envelops their lives, worn as openly as clothing.
Several related words from its occurrences highlight the themes of sin and corruption:
- H2181 zânâh (harlot): This word, used to describe the woman in Proverbs 7:10, means to commit adultery or, figuratively, to commit idolatry. Scripture uses it to describe Israel's "whorish heart" which has departed from God Ezekiel 6:9.
- H1346 gaʼăvâh (pride): In Psalms 73:6, pride is what "compasseth" the wicked like a chain, alongside their garment of violence. The term denotes arrogance and haughtiness, and scripture warns that "a man's pride shall bring him low" Proverbs 29:23.
- H2555 châmâç (violence): This is what serves as the metaphorical "garment" H7897 of the wicked. It signifies violence and wrong, a quality the LORD's soul hates in a person Psalms 11:5.
The theological weight of H7897 is found in its consistent association with sin's outward manifestation.
- External Symbol of Inner Corruption: The "attire of an harlot" Proverbs 7:10 is not merely clothing but a deliberate external sign of an inner state of unfaithfulness and subtlety, which is compared to idolatry Deuteronomy 31:16.
- The Garment of Wickedness: By describing violence as a "garment," scripture shows that for the wicked, sin is not an isolated act but a defining characteristic that clothes their very being Psalms 73:6.
- A Covering of Deception: The attire in Proverbs 7:10 is worn by one who is "subtil of heart," linking the outward appearance to a guarded or concealed nature. The word for "subtil" H5341 also means to guard or hide, suggesting the attire is part of a deceitful presentation.
In summary, H7897 is more than just a word for "attire." Though rare, its uses are potent, consistently linking a person's outward covering to their inner moral and spiritual condition. It serves as a powerful metaphor for how character, whether violent pride or sexual unfaithfulness, becomes the very garment by which a person is identified in the biblical text.
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