King James Bible Dictionary

Heb. demeshek, "damask," silk cloth manufactured at Damascus, Amos 3:12. A.V., "in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch;" R.V., "in the corner of a couch, and on the silken cushions of a bed" (marg., "in Damascus on a bed").

Heb. meshi, (Ezekiel 16:10, 13, rendered "silk"). In Genesis 41:42 (marg. A.V.), Proverbs 31:22 (R.V., "fine linen"), the word "silk" ought to be "fine linen."

Silk was common in New Testament times (Revelation 18:12).

Wearing apparel made of
Proverbs 31:22; Ezekiel 16:10; Ezekiel 16:13

Merchandise of
Revelation 18:12
Cotton; Linen

The only undoubted notice of silk in the Bible occurs in (Revelation 18:12) where it is mentioned among the treasures of the typical Babylon. It is however, in the highest degree probable that the texture was known to the Hebrews from the time that their commercial relations were extended by Solomon. The well-known classical name of the substance does not occur in the Hebrew language.

SILK, noun

1. The fine soft thread produced by the insect called silk-worm or bombyx. That which we ordinarily call silk is a thread composed of several finer threads which the worm draws from its bowels, like the web of a spider, and with which the silk-worm envelopes itself, forming what is called a cocoon.

2. Cloth made of silk In this sense, the word has a plural, silks, denoting different sort and varieties, as black silk white silk colored silks.

3. The filiform style of the female flower of maiz, which resembles real silk in fineness and softness. Virginia silk a plant of the genus Periploca, which climbs and winds about other plants, trees, etc.

SILK, adjective Pertaining to silk; consisting of silk

SILK COTTEN-TREE, noun A tree of the genus Bombax, growing to an immense size; a native of both the Indies.

SILKEN, adjective silk'n.

1. Made of silk; as silken cloth; a silken vail.

2. Like silk; soft to the touch.

3. Soft; delicate; tender; smooth; as mild and silken language.

4. Dressed in silk; as a silken wanton.

SILKEN, verb transitive silk'n. To render soft or smooth.

SILK'INESS, noun

1. The qualities of silk; softness and smoothness to the feel.

2. Softness; effeminacy; pusillanimity.

SILK'MAN, noun A dealer in silks.

SILK'MERCER, noun One whose occupation is to weave silk stuffs.

SILK'WORM, noun The worm which produces silk, of the genus Phalaena. Silk-worms are said to have been first introduced into the Roman empire from China, in the reign of Justinian.

SILK'Y, adjective

1. Made of silk; consisting of silk.

2. Like silk; soft and smooth to the touch.

3. Pliant; yielding;