King James Bible Dictionary

1. Heb., pishet, pishtah, denotes "flax," of which linen is made (Isaiah 19:9); wrought flax, i.e., "linen cloth", Leviticus 13:47, 48, 52, 59; Deuteronomy 22:11.

Flax was early cultivated in Egypt (Exodus 9:31), and also in Palestine (Joshua 2:6; Hosea 2:9). Various articles were made of it- garments (2 Samuel 6:14), girdles (Jeremiah 13:1), ropes and thread (Ezekiel 40:3), napkins (Luke 24:12; John 20:7), turbans (Ezekiel 44:18), and lamp-wicks (Isaiah 42:3).

2. Heb. buts, "whiteness;" rendered "fine linen" in 1 Chronicles 4:21; 15:27; 2 Chronicles 2:14; 3:14; Esther 1:6; 8:15, and "white linen" 2 Chronicles 5:12. It is not certain whether this word means cotton or linen.

3. Heb. bad; rendered "linen" Exodus 28:42; 39:28; Leviticus 6:10; 16:4, 23, 32; 1 Samuel 2:18; 2 Samuel 6:14, etc. It is uniformly used of the sacred vestments worn by the priests. The word is from a root signifying "separation."

4. Heb. shesh; rendered "fine linen" Exodus 25:4; 26:1, 31, 36, etc. In Proverbs 31:22 it is rendered in Authorized Version "silk," and in Revised Version "fine linen." The word denotes Egyptian linen of peculiar whiteness and fineness (byssus). The finest Indian linen, the finest now made, has in an inch one hundred threads of warp and eighty-four of woof; while the Egyptian had sometimes one hundred and forty in the warp and sixty-four in the woof. This was the usual dress of the Egyptian priest. Pharaoh arrayed Joseph in a dress of linen (Genesis 41:42).

5. Heb. etun. Proverbs 7:16, "fine linen of Egypt;" in Revised Version, "the yarn of Egypt."

6. Heb. sadin. Proverbs 31:24, "fine linen;" in Revised Version, "linen garments" (Judges 14:12, 13; Isaiah 3:23). From this Hebrew word is probably derived the Greek word sindon, rendered "linen" in Mark 14:51, 52; 15:46; Matthew 27:59.

The word "linen" is used as an emblem of moral purity (Revelation 15:6). In Luke 16:19 it is mentioned as a mark of luxury.

Exported from:

Egypt
1 Kings 10:28; Ezekiel 27:7

Syria
Ezekiel 27:16

Curtains of the tabernacle made of
Exodus 26:1; Exodus 27:9

Vestments of priests made of
Exodus 28:5-8; Exodus 28:15; Exodus 28:39-42

Livery of royal households made of
Genesis 41:42; Esther 8:15

Garments made of:

For men
Genesis 41:42; Ezekiel 9:2; Luke 16:19

For women
Isaiah 3:23; Ezekiel 16:10-13

Bedding made of
Proverbs 7:16

Mosaic law forbade its being mingled with wool
Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 22:11

The body of Jesus wrapped in
Mark 15:46; John 20:5

Figurative, pure and white, of righteousness
Revelation 15:6; Revelation 19:8; Revelation 19:14

cloth made from flax. Several different Hebrew words are rendered linen, which may denote different fabrics of linen or different modes of manufacture. Egypt was the great centre of the linen trade. Some linen, made form the Egyptian byssus , a flax that grew on the banks of the Nile, was exceedingly soft and of dazzling whiteness. This linen has been sold for twice its weight in gold. Sir J.G. Wilkinson says of it, "The quality of the fine linen fully justifies all the praises of antiquity, and excites equal admiration at the present day, being to the touch comparable to silk, and not inferior in texture to our finest cambric."

LIN'EN, noun [Latin linun, flax, Gr. The sense is probably long, extended or smooth. In the latter sense, it would accord with Latin linio, lenio.]

1. Cloth made of flax or hemp.

2. An under garment.

LIN'EN, adjective [Latin lineus.]

1. Made of flax or hemp; as linen cloth; a linen stocking.

2. Resembling linen cloth; white; pale.

Fossil-linen, a kind of amianth, with soft, parallel, flexible fibers.

LIN'EN-DRAPER, noun A person who deals in linens.

Linener and linen-man, in a like sense, are obsolete.

(See YARN.)