Lexical Summary meshi: Silk Original Word: מֶשִׁי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance silk From mashah; silk (as drawn from the cocoon) -- silk. see HEBREW mashah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition (costly material for garments) perhaps silk NASB Translation silk (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs מֶ֫שִׁי noun [masculine] a costly material for garments, according to Rabb silk, (so NowArchaeology i. 124); whether this is based on actual tradition is dubious (etymology unknown); — absolute ׳מ Ezekiel 16:13 ("" שֵׁשׁ), מֶ֑שִׁי Ezekiel 16:10 ("" id.) See, further Thes Sm Da Berthol. ᵐ5 τρίχαπτα. מֻשִׁי see מוּשִׁי. Topical Lexicon Overview Associated with luxury and royal splendor, מֶשִׁי appears only twice in Scripture, both in Ezekiel 16, where the Lord depicts Jerusalem as His cherished bride. In each instance the fabric complements embroidered cloth and fine linen, underscoring its exceptional quality and expense. Though silk never reaches center stage in the Old Testament economy of worship (unlike linen or wool), its presence intensifies the prophetic picture of grace lavishly bestowed. Biblical Usage Ezekiel 16:10: “I clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of fine leather on your feet. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk.” Ezekiel 16:13: “So you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothes were made of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth…” The prophet catalogs six gifts—embroidered cloth, sandals, fine linen, silk, gold, and silver—to dramatize the covenant kindness God poured on an unworthy people. Silk functions as the finishing layer, conveying softness, beauty, and intimate favor. Historical Background 1. Rarity and Trade: In the sixth century B.C. true silk was produced exclusively in the Far East. Caravans ferrying goods through Mesopotamia eventually reached Phoenician and Israelite ports. The fabric’s costliness suited royal treasuries and diplomatic exchanges. Symbolic and Theological Significance • Divine Provision: The bridal clothing motif recalls Genesis 3:21, where God provides garments for Adam and Eve. Here, however, the material is not merely functional but extravagant, highlighting the magnanimity of divine grace. Broader Canonical Connections • Proverbs 31:22 depicts the virtuous wife as one who “makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple,” hinting at the nobility reflected in luxurious textiles. Application for Ministry Today 1. Stewardship of Blessings: Silk in Ezekiel challenges believers to receive God’s temporal gifts with humility and to deploy them for His glory rather than self-indulgence. See Also Fine Linen; Embroidered Cloth; Garments of Salvation; Trade of Tyre (Ezekiel 27); Bridal Imagery in Scripture Forms and Transliterations וָמֶ֙שִׁי֙ ומשי מֶֽשִׁי׃ משי׃ me·šî Meshi mešî vaMeshi wā·me·šî wāmešîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 16:10 HEB: בַּשֵּׁ֔שׁ וַאֲכַסֵּ֖ךְ מֶֽשִׁי׃ NAS: and covered you with silk. KJV: and I covered thee with silk. INT: fine and covered silk Ezekiel 16:13 2 Occurrences |
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