βύσσος (bussos)
bussos
fine linen
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun bussos refers to a specific type of high-quality fabric, identified in the sources as byssus or fine Egyptian flax. It denotes both the plant material itself and the delicate, costly linen woven from it. The lexicons note that this textile was prized for its softness, whiteness, and occasional yellow hue, marking it as a luxury item far removed from ordinary coarse wool or rough hemp.
Its single New Testament appearance occurs in Luke 16:19, where it describes the clothing of the rich man in Jesus’ parable. By specifying this expensive fabric rather than generic "fine clothes," the text highlights the character’s extreme wealth and daily indulgence. The word likely derives from Hebrew roots associated with fine linen, reflecting its status as an imported or elite commodity in the ancient world.
Translators typically render bussos as "fine linen" to capture its texture and value. This choice preserves the contrast central to the parable’s message: a life of sensory comfort set against a state of spiritual poverty. The word serves as a concrete detail that grounds the story in the economic realities of first-century Judea.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word bussos describes a fabric so fine and costly that it marked its wearer as someone of immense privilege. In the ancient world, this material was not merely clothing; it was a statement of status, softness, and distance from the struggles of ordinary life. When we encounter this term, we are reminded that wealth can create a barrier between people and their shared humanity.
In Luke 16:19, this fabric clothes a man who lives in daily luxury, yet his heart remains closed to the poor at his gate. The contrast is stark: fine linen cannot warm a soul that lacks compassion. This detail invites us to examine where we place our trust. Are we anchored in temporary comforts, or do we seek a treasure that endures beyond this life?
Our faith calls us to look beyond surface appearances and material security. True richness is found in generosity and love, not in the quality of our garments. May we find our identity in Christ alone, whose humility offers us a peace that no amount of wealth can buy.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- fine linen1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- βύσσον1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 16:19
“Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day.
The use of bussos here specifically identifies the rich man's extreme wealth and sensory indulgence, setting up the sharp contrast with the poor beggar Lazarus.