or (for alliteration with מֶשִׁי) שְׁשִׁי; for שַׁיִשׁ; bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble; [idiom] blue, fine (twined) linen, marble, silk.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **shêsh**, represented by `{{H8336}}`, is a term for **bleached stuff**, primarily signifying **white linen** or, by analogy, **marble**. It appears 42 times across 37 unique verses. The word's usage extends to idiomatic meanings of fine (twined) linen and silk, denoting a material of high quality and value.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical narratives, `{{H8336}}` is prominently featured in contexts of sanctity and royalty. The most significant use is in the construction of the Tabernacle, where "fine twined **linen**" was required for the curtains [[Exodus 26:1]], the court hangings [[Exodus 27:9]], and the vail adorned with cherubim [[Exodus 26:31]]. It was also the material for priestly garments, including coats and mitres ([[Exodus 39:27]], [[Exodus 28:39]]). Beyond textiles, it is used to describe **marble** pillars ([[Song of Solomon 5:15]], [[Esther 1:6]]) and to signify honor, as when Pharaoh clothed Joseph in "vestures of fine **linen**" [[Genesis 41:42]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for the creation and use of items made from **shêsh**:
* `{{H7806}}` **shâzar** (to twist; twine): This primitive root describes the process of creating the strong "fine **twined** linen" that was essential for the Tabernacle's structure and priestly garments [[Exodus 26:1]].
* `{{H7551}}` **râqam** (to variegate color, i.e. embroider; embroiderer, needlework): This describes the high-skilled craft of embroidering the fine linen with colored threads, a skill given to the wise-hearted artisans who built the Tabernacle [[Exodus 35:35]].
* `{{H713}}` **'argâmân** (purple): This color is consistently mentioned alongside blue, scarlet, and fine linen in the instructions for the Tabernacle's holy items and priestly ephod, indicating a palette associated with divine worship and royalty [[Exodus 26:1]].
* `{{H948}}` **bûwts** (probably cotton (of some sort); fine (white) linen): A related term for a luxury textile, used for the clothing of priests and in royal settings, sometimes in the same context as **shêsh** [[Esther 1:6]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H8336}}` is tied to its representation of purity, value, and holiness.
* **Material for Sacred Space:** Its extensive use as "fine twined **linen**" for the Tabernacle's curtains, hangings, and vail establishes it as a primary material for creating a holy dwelling for God's presence [[Exodus 38:16]].
* **Symbol of Honor and Status:** Whether as **linen** or silk, the material is associated with high status. It is the fabric for priestly coats [[Exodus 39:27]], royal gifts [[Genesis 41:42]], and the clothing of a virtuous and prosperous woman [[Proverbs 31:22]].
* **A Foundation for Divine Craftsmanship:** The fine linen served as the canvas for sacred art. Artisans filled with wisdom from God worked with this material, embroidering it with blue, purple, and scarlet threads to create the items for the Tabernacle as commanded [[Exodus 35:35]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H8336}}` is far more than a simple term for a textile or stone. It is a cornerstone material in the expression of holiness, honor, and value in the Old Testament. From the sacred, cherubim-adorned curtains of the Tabernacle to the garments of priests and rulers, **shêsh** consistently signifies a quality worthy of both God and the highest stations of humanity.
TRV