LINEN (פִּשְׁתָּה, H7325), general term for flax, flax plant, fiber of flax from which linen yarn is made (Josh 2:6; Isa 19:9), שֵׁשׁ֙, H9254, fine linen, linen really means white, because of the brilliant whiteness of bleached linen (Gen 41:42); בּוּץ, H1009, also means fine linen (1 Chron 15:27); בּוּץ, H1009, linen cloth, fine linen (Exod 28:42; Lev 6:10); סָדִין, H6041, linen cloth, linen undergarment (Isa 3:23): σινδών, G4984, linen cloth, large linen sheet, muslin (Judg 14:12; Matt 27:59; Mark 14:51); ὀθόνιον, G3856, linen clothes, linen bands, strips of linen cloth (Luke 24:12; John 19:40); λίνον, G3351, linen cloth, linen garment, lamp-wick (Matt 12:20; Rev 15:6); βύσσος, G1116, soft or fine linen (Luke 16:19; Rev 19:14). These terms often are used interchangeably. Λίνον and βύσσος, G1116, are used in the LXX.

Linen is a fabric woven from yarn made of the fine fibers of the stalk of the flax plant. The term also designates clothes and garments made of linen. Since the bleached fabric was often flashing white, the term “whiteness” (shesh) also means linen. The term “fine linen” in the Bible refers to sheer, often almost translucent material of the expensive finely woven linen worn by royal and wealthy people or the priests of the Temple.

The flax plant was common in Egypt, being cultured extensively in the fertile Nile Valley. Egyptian linen and weaving was considered the best of ancient times, so much so that some could not distinguish the fabric from silk. Flax also was introduced into Pal. early and was grown in the Jordan Valley near Jericho (Josh 2:6) and also in Galilee. The flax stalk grew quite tall and was cut or pulled out by the roots near full growth, dried for a time in the sun, then pounded vigorously to separate the fine fibers, washed and bleached. The yarn, so fine at times as to be almost invisible, was then ready for the weaver. Linen weavers were known in Moses’ day before the entrance into Canaan and were considered a gift of God to the people (Exod 35:35; 38:23). Later we are informed of a guild of linen textile manufacturers at Bethashbea: “the house of linen workers at Bethashbea” (1 Chron 4:21). Generally women did the spinning and weaving in the home; already during the Exodus women were adept at this ancient art: “And all women who had ability spun with their hands, and brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet stuff and fine twined linen” (Exod 35:25).

In Biblical times linen was used for many purposes. It was popular material for clothing of many kinds and for sheets, curtains, sails of ships, for wrapping scrolls, etc. Shesh, or fine linen, always was used for the garments of the priests in the Temple. Regarding Aaron it is said, “And you shall weave the coat in checker work of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a girdle embroidered with needlework. And for Aaron’s sons...you shall make for them linen breeches to cover their naked flesh; from the loins to the thighs they shall reach” (28:39-42). The tunic, headdress and other articles of clothing the priests wore also were made of fine linen (39:27-29). Some of the fine linen woven in Pal. was the best in the world, even preferred by some to the linen which was manufactured in Egypt. The weavers in Pal. were able to make linen almost as fine as silk. It was so sheer and thin that it was diaphanous and cool in hot weather. The shirt people wore close to the body was made of fine linen. The material was also bleached white and the priests appeared in glittering white apparel.

Fine linen also was used much for dress in religious services, as the child Samuel (1 Sam 2:18) and the singers in the Temple (2 Chron 5:12). Kings and other royal persons also wore much fine linen (2 Sam 6:14). The Scriptures say that angels were dressed in white fine linen, as well as the multitudes of the redeemed with Christ in heaven (Ezek 9:2; Rev 19:14). Since fine linen with its extreme whiteness was used in a fig. sense for purity and righteousness of life (Rev 19:8), one can easily understand why white garments are worn in special religious or significant ceremonies today such as weddings. Linen material was used for the curtains, the veil and other items in the Tabernacle (Exod 26:1-37). The term bad in the OT also is used for white fine linen. It is similar to the Gr. word byssos, which was used to speak of fine linen. When people used fine linen for ordinary purposes it was a sign of luxury and wealth (Isa 3:23; Ezek 16:10). This is the type of linen which Joseph wore as prime minister in Egypt: “Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in garments of fine linen” (Gen 41:42).

Fine linen is such splendid cloth that sometimes trs. of the Bible have rendered the term “silk.” When the Lord speaks of punishing Israel He includes the taking away of the finery of clothing: “In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands,...the sashes...the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks,...the garments of gauze, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils” (Isa 3:18-23). In the same vein, the Lord speaks of His blessings to Israel in terms of beautiful cloth and clothing, “I clothed you also with embroidered cloth and shod you with leather, I swathed you in fine linen and covered you with silk....Thus you were decked with gold and silver; and your raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and embroidered cloth” (Ezek 16:10-13). David wore garments made of this fine linen (Gr. byssos) when the Ark was removed: “David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as also were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the leader of the music of the singers; and David wore a linen ephod. So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting” (1 Chron 15:27, 28).

The rich man in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19), was dressed in fine linen, considered the clothing of wealthy people. It is possible that linen was also used for fishing nets (Isa 19:8, 9) and for drapes and beautiful hangings (Esth 1:6). Linen material also was dyed in many brilliant colors.

The material was cheaper and less durable when the linen yarn or flaxen yarn was mixed with other yarn such as wool and cotton. The Heb. word shaatnez signified garments or cloth made of two types of thread. God forbade the Israelites to wear garments made of such materials (Lev 19:19; Deut 22:11). Silk was used in ancient Pal., but it was difficult to obtain and very costly; it had to be imported by caravan from the Far E.

The use of linen for clothing among the people of the Middle E was adopted by the Greeks. The Gr. σινδών, G4984, is the term used to describe the fine costly linen in which the body of Jesus was wrapped: “And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb” (Matt 27:59, 60). Both John and Luke speak of linen cloths or clothes as the material in which Jesus’ body was wrapped: “They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews” (John 19:40; Luke 23:53). The word used here is othónion in the pl., which refers to linen bands, large linen sheets torn into strips, used to wrap the body in a neat fashion. The Gr. word linon is used to describe a linen garment (Rev 15:6). Línon may have been made of hemp as well as flax. For centuries preceding, the Egyptians used strips of linen sheets to wrap Egyp. mummies. Linon refers to the rag wick of ancient lamps (Matt 12:20; Isa 42:3).

Without a doubt linen ranked with wool as one of the most common fabrics in the ancient world. (See [http://biblegateway/wiki/Cloth CLOTH, LEATHER].)

Bibliography L. M. Wilson, Ancient Textiles from Egypt (1933); A. E. Bailey, Daily Life in Bible Times (1943); M. Radin, The Life of the People in Biblical Times (1948); G. M. Crowfoot, Linen Textiles from the Cave of Ain Feshkha in the Jordan Valley; Palestine Exploration Quarterly (1951); F. H. Wight, Manners and Customs of Bible Lands (1953); G. E. Wright, “Israelite Daily Life,” The Biblical Archaeologist (1955); M. T. Gilbertson, The Way It Was In Bible Times (1959); H. Daniel-Rops, Daily Life in Palestine at the Time of Christ (1962); J. M. Myers, “Linen” in IDB, Vol. 3 (1962).