סָדִין (sa.din)
sa.din
linen
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun sadin refers to a simple garment made of linen, typically described as a rectangular sheet or wrapper. In ancient Israel, this was not tailored clothing but a single piece of fine fabric draped around the body. It served multiple purposes: worn as an outer robe during the day or used as a sole covering at night for warmth.
This word appears in only four verses, highlighting its specific cultural context rather than general daily wear. In Judges 16:14, Delilah uses a sadin woven into Samson’s mat to help bind him, illustrating how ordinary household items could be repurposed for deception. Proverbs 31:22 mentions the virtuous woman making sadin garments for her household, signaling both domestic skill and economic provision.
The term likely entered Hebrew as a loanword, reflecting trade connections with regions where linen production was advanced. Its brevity in Scripture underscores that it was a known, practical item rather than a symbol requiring explanation. Translators consistently render it "linen" or "linen garment," preserving the focus on material and function over metaphor.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sadin refers to a simple rectangular sheet or wrapper made of linen. In ancient Israel, this was not tailored clothing but a single piece of fine fabric draped around the body. It served multiple purposes: worn as an outer robe during the day or used as a sole covering at night for warmth. This word appears in only four verses, highlighting its specific cultural context rather than general daily wear.
In Judges 14:12, Samson offers thirty sadin garments as part of a riddle wager, showing how these items held significant value in social exchanges. Proverbs 31:24 mentions the virtuous woman making sadin garments for her household, signaling both domestic skill and economic provision. The term likely entered Hebrew as a loanword, reflecting trade connections with regions where linen production was advanced.
Its brevity in Scripture underscores that it was a known, practical item rather than a symbol requiring explanation. Translators consistently render it "linen" or "linen garment," preserving the focus on material and function over metaphor. When you encounter this word, remember the tangible reality of daily life in biblical times—simple fabrics that provided comfort, dignity, and means of livelihood for ordinary people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- linen garments2×
- linen garment[s]1×
- and/ the/ linen garments1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- סְדִינִ֔ים2×
- סָדִ֣ין1×
- וְ/הַ/סְּדִינִ֔ים1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 14:12
Samson said to them, “Let me tell you a riddle now. If you can tell me the answer within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing;
Samson uses thirty linen garments as a high-stakes wager in his riddle, showing the item's significant social and economic value.
-
Proverbs 31:24
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
The virtuous woman’s production of these garments demonstrates her domestic skill and active role in household provision.
-
Isaiah 3:23
the hand mirrors, the fine linen garments, the tiaras, and the shawls.
Listed among luxury items like mirrors and tiaras, this usage highlights the garment's status as a desirable fashion accessory.