SPECIAL TOPIC: LINEN

Linen is an ancient material used for clothing in the ANE.  It was produced from flax but involved a multi-year process.  Cotton was not widely known/used until about 700 B.C., but linen goes back to Sumeria. It was a cool, white material, much better suited for a hot climate than wool.

There are several different Hebrew roots used for linen in both the OT and NT.

In the OT it was used of priests' attire, as well as being part of the tabernacle. The priests of Israel had

  1. linen garments/robes ‒ Exod. 28:42; 39:28; Lev. 6:4
  2. linen breeches ‒ Lev. 16:4
  3. linen cap/turban ‒ Lev. 16:4
  4. special linen coat for the Day of Atonement ‒ Lev. 16:4

In the OT angels appear dressed in white fine linen garments

  1. Ezekiel ‒ 9:2,3,11; 10:2,6,7
  2. Daniel ‒ 10:5,6; 12:6,7

This symbolism of a "holy" garment material is carried over in the NT.

  1. burial cloth of Jesus ‒ Matt. 27:59; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53; 24:12; John 19:40; 20:5,6,7
  2. wealthy man in parable ‒ Luke 16:19
  3. the risen Jesus ‒ Rev. 1:13-15
  4. angels with plagues ‒ Rev. 15:6
  5. Babylon's citizens ‒ Rev. 18:16
  6. figuratively of the Church ‒ Rev. 19:8
  7. figuratively of heaven's army ‒ Rev. 19:14

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