חוּר (chur)
chur
white
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun chur refers to a fine, white fabric or material. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times within the book of Esther (Esther 1:6 and 8:15). In these narratives, the word describes the luxurious hangings of King Ahasuerus’s palace and the clothing worn by Mordecai after his promotion.
Its core meaning is simply "white," but in context it signifies high-quality textile, likely linen or a similar fine cloth. The sources identify it as "white stuff" or "white cloth," emphasizing its visual brightness and purity of color rather than a specific weave. This whiteness serves as a marker of royal status and celebration in the Persian court.
Translators consistently render chur as "white" to preserve this visual impact. The word’s rarity makes its usage in Esther particularly notable, where the white fabric contrasts with the darker tones of mourning or danger elsewhere in the story. It highlights the opulence of the setting without requiring complex technical description.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chur describes a bright, white fabric that marked royal luxury in ancient Persia. In Esther, this fine cloth hangs in the king’s palace and later adorns Mordecai when he is honored. It signals joy and high status, standing apart from the darker tones of mourning or danger found elsewhere in the story.
For your faith, this image reminds us that God brings light out of difficult seasons. Just as white cloth stood for celebration in Susa, God’s grace turns sorrow into hope. We can trust that He sees our struggles and prepares moments of peace and restoration, even when circumstances seem heavy or uncertain.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- white material1×
- and/ white cloth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ח֣וּר\׀1×
- וָ/ח֔וּר1×
Key Verses
-
Esther 1:6
There were hangings of white and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble.
This verse uses the word to describe the palace hangings, establishing a setting of royal opulence and peace before the story’s conflicts begin.
-
Esther 8:15
Mordecai went out of the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple; and the city of Susa shouted and was glad.
Here the white cloth appears on Mordecai’s robe, visually marking his elevation from danger to honor and signaling the city’s relief and joy.