Lexical Summary radid: Veil, shawl, or cloak Original Word: רָדִיד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance vail, veil From radad in the sense of spreading; a veil (as expanded) -- vail, veil. see HEBREW radad NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom radad Definition a wide wrapper, large veil NASB Translation shawl (1), veils (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [רְדִיד] noun [masculine] wide wrapper, or large veil (ᵑ7Jer רְדִידָא (especially for Hebrew צָעִיף); Syriac  apparently veil; Arabic  is wrapper); — suffix רְדִידִי Songs 5:7; plural דָרְדִידִים Isaiah 3:23 (in list of women's finery). Topical Lexicon Overview רָדִיד denotes a lightweight outer covering—variously rendered “cloak,” “veil,” or “shawl”—associated with feminine attire in ancient Israel. Though its tangible function was to protect against sun, dust, and the gaze of strangers, its literary appearances reveal deeper themes of dignity, modesty, and the spiritual coverings supplied or withdrawn by the Lord. Scriptural Occurrences Song of Solomon 5:7: “The watchmen who patrol the city found me; they struck me and wounded me; they took my cloak from me—the guardians of the walls.” Isaiah 3:23 lists רָדִיד among the luxurious ornaments stripped from the “daughters of Zion” when judgment falls. The removal of the garment signals humiliation and exposure. Cultural and Historical Background In the ancient Near East, women’s garments often included a loose mantle that could be draped over head and shoulders. Fine material and embroidery advertised a family’s wealth, while the act of veiling signified propriety. Contemporary reliefs from Egypt and Assyria portray similar fabrics flowing from a woman’s hairline to mid-back, suggesting the רָדִיד was neither restrictive nor merely decorative but a practical, status-laden accessory. Symbolic and Theological Insights 1. Shield of Honor: In Song of Solomon, losing the cloak under duress underscores the bride’s vulnerability. Her honor is assaulted when the protective garment is seized—anticipating the biblical motif that sin and oppression rob God’s people of covering (Micah 2:8). Ministry Implications • Shepherds and guardians bear responsibility to protect, not exploit. The watchmen in Song of Solomon violate trust, a warning for contemporary leadership to guard the flock’s dignity. Practical Application for Contemporary Believers Believers are called to attire both body and spirit in ways that reflect holiness. While cultural expressions of dress vary, the principle endures: God desires inward purity that manifests outwardly. The fleeting nature of fashion and status invites a focus on eternal garments—grace, humility, and the righteousness imputed by Christ. Forms and Transliterations וְהָרְדִידִֽים׃ והרדידים׃ רְדִידִי֙ רדידי rə·ḏî·ḏî rediDi rəḏîḏî veharediDim wə·hā·rə·ḏî·ḏîm wəhārəḏîḏîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Songs 5:7 HEB: נָשְׂא֤וּ אֶת־ רְדִידִי֙ מֵֽעָלַ֔י שֹׁמְרֵ֖י NAS: took away my shawl from me. KJV: took away my veil from me. INT: me wounded took my shawl and the guardsmen Isaiah 3:23 2 Occurrences |
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