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חוּר

𐤇𐤅𐤓

chûwr

H2353 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חור to be white, to shine, to be pale

Definition

A fine white fabric, particularly white linen, typically used in garments of high status or in cultic settings. In most contexts, denotes the material itself (linen distinguished by whiteness and quality), rather than a mere color term. May occasionally refer to the attribute of whiteness as manifested in such textiles.

Semantic Range

fine white linen, white cloth, fabric characterized by whiteness; (rarely) whiteness as an abstract quality

Root / Etymology

From the root חור (ח-ו-ר), which in verbal forms means 'to be white, pale.' The noun form חוּר refers to material that is conspicuously white, with a probable extension from the base idea of whiteness to linen because of its characteristic color.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Hebrew Bible texts, חוּר is used sparingly to indicate garments of exceptional whiteness or purity, likely denoting costly or ritually significant linen (e.g., Esther 1:6, usage in descriptions of court or temple settings). In these contexts, the material is prized for its brightness and possibly its association with status and ceremonial use. The Septuagint and subsequent Jewish Greek writings render the term as βύσσος (byssos), which also covers 'fine linen,' but later translations sometimes obscure the textile aspect by focusing on the color 'white.' The root is uncommon in Biblical Hebrew and does not always overlap with other terms for linen (שֵׁשׁ, בוץ), which may differ in fineness or function. The meaning does not denote generic white clothing but rather emphasizes the quality, luster, and possibly origin of the fabric. In later Hebrew, the word's use narrows further or becomes less common, with other words taking focus for 'linen.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָוַר; white linen; white.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חור (ḥ-w-r) — to be white, to shine, whiteness, linen

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1032 בֵּית חוֹרוֹן Horon
H1133 בֶּן־חוּר Chur
H2352 חוּר Holes
H2354 חוּר Chur
H2355 חוֹר pierced opening

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2353-01 ח֣וּר chur HNcmsa white Chur 1
H2353-02 וָ/ח֔וּר vachur HC/Ncmsa and white fine white linen 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2353-01 Esther 1:6 ח֣וּר chur HNcmsa white Chur
H2353-02 Esther 8:15 וָ/ח֔וּר vachur HC/Ncmsa and white fine white linen
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