Lexical Summary shul: Hem, skirt, train Original Word: שׁוּל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hem, skirt, train From an unused root meaning to hang down; a skirt; by implication, a bottom edge -- hem, skirt, train. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition skirt (of a robe) NASB Translation hem (4), hem of the robe (2), skirts (4), train of his robe (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שׁוּל] noun masculineIsaiah 6:1 skirt, of robe; — plural construct שׁוּלֵי Exodus 28:34+; suffix שׁוּלַיִךְ Nahum 3:5 +, שׁוּלָיו Isaiah 6:1 +, שׁוּלֶיהָ Lamentations 1:9; — skirts; of ׳יs train, in vision Isaiah 6:1; elsewhere of city personified as woman, in phrase of ignominy, חָשַׂפְתִּי שׁוּלַיִךְ Jeremiah 13:26, עַלמָּֿנַיִךְ ׳גִּלֵּתִי שׁ Nahum 3:5, ׳ונו ׳נִגְּלוּ שׁ Jeremiah 13:22; of defilement, טֻמְאָתָהּ ׳בְּשׁ Lamentations 1:9; of high priest's robe Exodus 28:33 (twice in verse); Exodus 28:34 = Exodus 39:24,25,26 (all P). שׁוֺלָל see שׁלל. Topical Lexicon Key Texts Exodus 28:33–34; 39:24–26 – ornamented hems of the high priest’s robe Isaiah 6:1 – the sovereign train filling the temple Jeremiah 13:22, 26; Lamentations 1:9; Nahum 3:5 – judicial exposure of Judah’s and Nineveh’s “skirts” Physical Description and Ancient Near Eastern Context Shul designates the lower border, fringe, or trailing end of a garment. In the culture of Moses, hems were not mere finishing touches; they bore colored thread, bells, pomegranates, and sometimes seals that signified ownership or status. The priestly robe’s hem was woven of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, interspersed with golden bells whose sound testified to the priest’s life as he moved within the Holy Place (Exodus 28:33–35). The same care for hem craftsmanship appears in royal garments across the Ancient Near East, attested in reliefs from Egypt and Mesopotamia where kings’ trains trail behind them to display rank. Symbolic and Theological Significance 1. Holiness and Mediation. The high priest carried Israel’s names on ephod and breastpiece; but the hem ensured his every step resonated with holiness. The perpetual tinkling signified accepted intercession—life within God’s presence rather than death (Exodus 28:35). Prophetic Imagery Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Nahum employ shul to dramatize divine judgment. “Her uncleanness was in her skirts; she did not consider her end” (Lamentations 1:9). The unclean hem denotes persistent, unrepented sin now visible to all. Nahum pronounces similar exposure upon Nineveh’s arrogance, reflecting the moral law’s universality: rebellion, whether among God’s people or Gentile powers, ends in disgrace. Christological and Ecclesiological Connections The occupied hem of Isaiah 6 anticipates the Incarnate Word whose earthly garment radiated glory at the Transfiguration and healing power at Capernaum. While the Gospels employ Greek terms, the conceptual link remains: power flows even from the “fringe” (Matthew 9:20–22). The Church, Christ’s body, likewise bears witness through its outermost actions—merciful deeds at society’s margins echo the priestly bells. Practical Ministry Applications • Worship Design: Choir robes, sanctuary linens, and processional banners may incorporate color and movement to reflect the Exodus pattern, reminding worshipers of the High Priest fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Related Terms and Distinctions • Hem of Garment (kanaf) – corner where fringes are tied (Numbers 15:38). Understanding these nuances prevents conflating general garment terms with the specific theological symbolism attached to the hem. Summary Shul moves from priestly holiness to prophetic exposure, from resounding bells of life to silent shaming of sin, yet throughout it magnifies God’s righteousness. The hem’s edge marks the meeting of heaven’s glory with earth’s need, a boundary that—kept holy—rings with redemption, but—defiled—reveals iniquity. Forms and Transliterations בְּשׁוּלֶ֗יהָ בשוליה וְשׁוּלָ֖יו ושוליו שׁוּלֵ֣י שׁוּלֵ֤י שׁוּלֵ֥י שׁוּלַ֖יִךְ שׁוּלָ֖יו שׁוּלָ֗יו שולי שוליו שוליך bə·šū·le·hā beshuLeiha bəšūlehā shuLav shuLayich shuLei šū·la·yiḵ šū·lāw šū·lê šūlāw šūlayiḵ šūlê veshuLav wə·šū·lāw wəšūlāwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 28:33 HEB: וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ עַל־ שׁוּלָ֗יו רִמֹּנֵי֙ תְּכֵ֤לֶת NAS: You shall make on its hem pomegranates KJV: And [beneath] upon the hem of it thou shalt make INT: shall make on hem pomegranates of blue Exodus 28:33 Exodus 28:34 Exodus 39:24 Exodus 39:25 Exodus 39:26 Isaiah 6:1 Jeremiah 13:22 Jeremiah 13:26 Lamentations 1:9 Nahum 3:5 11 Occurrences |
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