כַּרְפַּס (kar.pas)
kar.pas
fine linen
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun karpas appears only once in the Old Testament, in Esther 1:6. It describes the luxurious fabric used to hang curtains in King Ahasuerus’s palace at Susa. The text specifies that these hangings were made of white karpas, fastened with rings of silver to pillars of marble.
Lexical sources identify this material as either fine linen or cotton. Given the Persian context of the book and the high status associated with the setting, it likely refers to a high-quality textile imported from distant regions. The word highlights the opulence of the royal court, contrasting the king’s wealth with the vulnerability of Queen Esther.
Its single occurrence underscores the narrative focus on royal power and display. By anchoring the story in such specific material detail, the text grounds the dramatic events in a tangible, historical reality. The rarity of the term makes this mention particularly significant for understanding the setting of the Purim story.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word karpas appears just once in Scripture, describing the fine linen curtains in King Ahasuerus’s palace. This detail grounds the story of Esther in a real place with tangible textures. It reminds us that God works within human history, even amidst royal opulence and political danger.
When you read this scene, notice how the ordinary fabric supports the extraordinary events unfolding. Your own life has similar moments where faithfulness matters most. Trust that God sees the details of your day, just as He saw the hangings in Susa. His care extends to both the grand and the small.
May you find peace knowing that no situation is too complex for God’s attention. He walks with you through every season, bringing hope where there seems to be only uncertainty.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- cotton1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כַּרְפַּ֣ס1×
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 uniquely identifies karpas as the material for hangings in the Persian court, establishing the setting's luxury and historical reality.