שֵׁשׁ (shesh)
shesh
alabaster; linen
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 34 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word shesh refers to a substance that is either a polished white stone or a fine, bleached fabric. In the Old Testament, it most commonly denotes fine Egyptian linen, often described as byssus, which was prized for its softness and lustrous white appearance. This material was used for high-status items, such as the curtains of the tabernacle (Exodus 26:1) and the garments worn by priests or royalty.
Less frequently, shesh describes a type of white stone, possibly alabaster or marble, used in architectural settings like pavements or foundations. The connection between the two meanings lies in their shared visual quality: both the fabric and the stone are characterized by their bright, clean whiteness. In Esther 1:6, for example, the palace is adorned with white linen hangings and this white stone flooring, creating an atmosphere of purity and grandeur.
Translators often render shesh as "fine linen" or "white linen" when referring to textiles, and as "alabaster" or "marble" for stones. The word carries connotations of elegance and sacredness, reflecting the value placed on purity and beauty in biblical descriptions of worship spaces and royal courts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we encounter shesh in Scripture, we are reminded of a beauty that is both refined and set apart. This word describes fine Egyptian linen, prized for its softness and bright white appearance. It was not everyday cloth but material reserved for the most sacred spaces and highest offices. The tabernacle curtains and priestly garments were woven from this fabric, creating an atmosphere where heaven touched earth.
This visual purity points to a deeper spiritual reality. Just as the linen was clean and lustrous, Christians are called to live lives marked by integrity and holiness. The brightness of the fabric reflects the glory of God dwelling among His people. We can find comfort in knowing that our worship and our daily conduct are meant to reflect this same clarity and dedication.
Reflecting on shesh invites us to consider how we present ourselves before God. It is an invitation to pursue a life that is genuine and pure, free from the stains of sin. May your heart be as clean as the finest linen, ready to serve with joy and honor.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 34 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ fine linen15×
- fine linen12×
- the/ fine linen3×
- marble2×
- and/ in the/ fine linen2×
- [were] fine linen2×
- and/ marble1×
- [is] fine linen1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/שֵׁ֥שׁ8×
- וְ/שֵׁ֣שׁ7×
- שֵׁ֣שׁ6×
- שֵׁ֔שׁ4×
- שֵׁ֑שׁ3×
- שֵׁ֥שׁ2×
- שֵׁ֖שׁ2×
- וּ/בַ/שֵּֽׁשׁ\׃\ \ס1×
- וּ/בַ/שֵּׁ֖שׁ1×
- וָ/שֵׁ֖שׁ1×
- הַ/שֵּֽׁשׁ\׃\ \פ1×
- הַ/שֵּֽׁשׁ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 26:1
“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim. You shall make them with the work of a skillful workman.
This verse establishes shesh as the primary material for the tabernacle curtains, setting the standard for sacred space.
-
Exodus 28:5
They shall use the gold, and the blue, and the purple, and the scarlet, and the fine linen.
Here the word specifies the materials required for the high priest's ephod, linking the fabric directly to mediating God's presence.
-
Genesis 41:42
Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck.
Joseph is clothed in shesh after his release from prison, marking a transition from suffering to royal authority and favor.