Lexical Summary chur: Hole, white, noble, or free Original Word: חוּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance white linenFrom chavar; white linen -- white. see HEBREW chavar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chavar Definition white stuff NASB Translation white (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. חוּר noun [masculine] white stuff (dubious whether cotton or linen, compare כַּרְמַּס), "" תְּכֵלֶת: — of Mordecai's garments בִּלְבוּשׁ מַלְכוּת תְּכֵלֶת וָחוּר Esther 8:15a in a royal garment of violet and white stuff (compare וְתַכְרִיךְ בּוּץ וְאַרְגָּמָן vb); of furnishings of royal palace of Susa כַּרְמַּס וּתְכֵלֶת אֶחוּז בְּחַבְלֵיבֿוּץ ׳ח וְאַרְגָּמָן Esther 1:6 white stuff of fine linen (?) held fast by cords of byssus and purple. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 2353 designates an exquisite, gleaming fabric that appears only in the Book of Esther. The term points to brilliant white material—normally linen—used both as palace décor and as royal apparel in the Persian court. Though geographically distant from Zion and set amid Gentile opulence, its two occurrences become instruments in the providential preservation of the covenant people. Occurrences in Esther • Esther 1:6 records that at Ahasuerus’ opening banquet, “There were hangings of white and violet linen fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rings and marble pillars”. The material signals unrivaled luxury and sets the scene for a king who can dispose of queens—yet cannot thwart God’s redemptive plan. Cultural Context in the Persian Court Archaeological finds from Achaemenid palaces confirm that dyed or bleached linen hangings, often paired with purple and blue, were status symbols. Such fabric had to be imported, processed, and carefully protected from staining. It signaled authority, purity of rank, and the wealth to maintain immaculate attire amid desert dust. Esther’s author employs this fabric as a literary device to contrast earthly splendor with the unseen sovereignty of God. Symbolic Overtones of Whiteness and Linen 1. Purity: White in Scripture evokes cleansing and righteousness (Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 1:18). Biblical-Theological Connections • Reversal and Garment Imagery: Scripture often couples clothing changes with covenantal turning points—Joseph’s robe exchanged for Egyptian linen (Genesis 41:42), the prodigal’s best robe (Luke 15:22). Mordecai’s adoption of royal white signals the turning of the decree of death into a proclamation of life. Ministry Application 1. Encouragement amid Secular Settings: Believers serving in governments or corporations can take heart that God works through their integrity just as He did through Mordecai. Related Terms and Concepts • Fine linen (shesh) in Tabernacle and priestly garments. Summary The two discreet flashes of חוּר in Esther illuminate far more than palace luxury. They frame a account in which God clothes His servant with honor, turns mourning into joy, and foreshadows the day when every believer will stand “clothed in white garments” before the throne (Revelation 3:5). Forms and Transliterations וָח֔וּר וחור ח֣וּר ׀ חור chur ḥūr vaChur wā·ḥūr wāḥūrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Esther 1:6 HEB: ח֣וּר ׀ כַּרְפַּ֣ס וּתְכֵ֗לֶת NAS: [There were hangings of] fine white and violet KJV: [Where were] white, green, and blue, INT: white fine and violet Esther 8:15 2 Occurrences |
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