Lexical Summary etuwn: Understanding, intelligence, insight Original Word: אֵטוּן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fine linen From an unused root (probably meaning to bind); properly, twisted (yarn), i.e. Tapestry -- fine linen. Brown-Driver-Briggs אֵטוּן noun [masculine] thread, yarn (etymology unknown; on form see Ges84a. 12. R. Talmud אֵטוּנָא, אַטוּנָא, cord, rope; so ᵑ7) construct מִצְרַיִם ׳א Proverbs 7:16. Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Context Proverbs 7:16 is the single biblical usage. Within the scene of the wayward woman, אֵטוּן appears among the alluring items prepared to ensnare a naïve youth: “I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linens from Egypt” (Proverbs 7:16). Material Culture and Trade Egyptian linen enjoyed international acclaim for its finesse, tight weave, and vivid dyes. Archaeological finds from tombs at Thebes and Amarna confirm that such textiles were exported throughout the Late Bronze and Iron Ages. Israel’s proximity to the Via Maris and the Philistine coast made luxury imports readily accessible, though costly. By selecting Egyptian fabric, the seductress showcases wealth, sophistication, and readiness to invest materially in sin’s enticement. Literary Function in Wisdom Literature Proverbs routinely contrasts wisdom’s genuine treasures with foolishness’s gaudy imitations (Proverbs 3:13-15; 4:7-9). The costly bedding heightens dramatic tension: moral failure often hides beneath polished externals. The verse also foreshadows the outcome of yielding to temptation (Proverbs 7:22-23). What begins with opulent linen ends with an arrow to the liver. Symbolic Nuances 1. Foreign Allure: Egypt frequently figures as the place of bondage (Exodus 13:3) or worldly prowess (Isaiah 31:1). Imported cloth on an adulterous bed subtly links moral captivity with Israel’s historical oppressor. Intertextual Echoes • Joseph’s linen garment (Genesis 39:12-18) becomes evidence of integrity; the linen in Proverbs 7 serves the opposite, exposing guilt. Theological Reflections Sin is rarely draped in rags; it prefers the finest imports. The verse warns that external refinement cannot sanctify inner rebellion. The unity of Scripture reinforces this truth—humanity’s problem is not ignorance of luxury but misuse of God’s gifts outside His design. Pastoral and Discipleship Applications • Vigilance: Teach believers to scrutinize seemingly harmless indulgences that smuggle destructive habits. Summary אֵטוּן, though mentioned only once, sharpens Scripture’s portrait of temptation: richly textured, artfully colored, and ultimately deadly. It calls readers to prize garments of righteousness above the most exquisite linens the world can supply. Forms and Transliterations אֵט֥וּן אטון ’ê·ṭūn ’êṭūn eTunLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 7:16 HEB: עַרְשִׂ֑י חֲ֝טֻב֗וֹת אֵט֥וּן מִצְרָֽיִם׃ NAS: With colored linens of Egypt. KJV: of tapestry, with carved [works], with fine linen of Egypt. INT: my couch colored linens of Egypt |
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