מַלְבּוּשׁ (mal.bush)
mal.bush
garment
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun malbush refers to clothing or garments in a general sense. It appears six times in the Old Testament, with a notable concentration in II Chronicles where it describes the vestments worn by priests and temple officials. In these contexts, the word highlights the external appearance of those serving in sacred spaces, marking their role through specific attire.
While often translated simply as "garment," malbush carries a nuance of being dressed or clothed, emphasizing the state of wearing rather than just the object itself. It is distinct from words for specific items like tunics or robes, functioning instead as a collective term for apparel. In Job and Zephaniah, it appears in contexts dealing with human vulnerability and divine judgment, where clothing serves as a visible marker of one’s condition or status.
The word’s usage underscores the importance of outward appearance in ancient Israelite culture, particularly in religious settings. Its presence in prophetic literature like Zephaniah suggests that clothing can symbolize more than physical covering—it can represent identity, honor, or shame within the community. Translators typically render it as "garment" or "clothing," preserving its straightforward meaning while allowing the context to reveal deeper significance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word malbush refers to garments or clothing in a general sense. It appears six times in the Old Testament, often describing the attire of priests and temple officials. This usage highlights how external appearance marked one’s role in sacred spaces. The word emphasizes the state of being dressed, rather than just the object itself. In ancient Israel, clothing was not merely functional; it signified identity, honor, or status within the community.
In prophetic literature, such as Zephaniah, malbush takes on deeper symbolic meaning. It can represent shame or judgment when associated with foreign practices. Conversely, in Job, it illustrates human vulnerability and the futility of accumulating wealth without spiritual substance. These contexts remind us that our outward appearance often reflects inner realities, whether of devotion or pride.
For your faith, this word invites reflection on how we present ourselves before God and others. Just as garments once marked roles in Israel’s worship, our lives today serve as a visible testimony of our relationship with Him. May you find strength in knowing that true honor comes not from what we wear, but from the condition of our hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ clothes/ their3×
- clothing2×
- the/ clothing1×
- clothes/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַלְבּוּשַׁ֖/י1×
- מַלְבּֽוּשׁ\׃1×
- מַלְבּ֥וּשׁ1×
- וּ/מַלְבּֽוּשֵׁי/הֶ֗ם1×
- וּ/מַלְבֻּֽשֵׁי/הֶם֙1×
- וּ/מַלְבּ֣וּשֵׁי/הֶ֔ם1×
- הַ/מַּלְבּֽוּשׁ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 9:4
the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his ministers, their clothing, his cup bearers and their clothing, and his ascent by which he went up to Yahweh’s house, there was no more spirit in her.
This verse lists Solomon's court attire alongside his worship at Yahweh’s house, linking malbush directly to sacred service and divine reverence.
-
Job 27:16
Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare clothing as the clay;
Here malbush symbolizes the fleeting nature of material wealth when disconnected from spiritual integrity.
-
Zephaniah 1:8
It will happen in the day of Yahweh’s sacrifice that I will punish the princes, the king’s sons, and all those who are clothed with foreign clothing.
The phrase 'clothed with foreign clothing' uses malbush to signify idolatrous compromise and impending judgment.