לְבוּשׁ
𐤋𐤁𐤅𐤔
lᵉbûwsh
H3831 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An article of clothing, a garment or attire worn by individuals. In some contexts, may refer figuratively to the act of clothing or to one so clothed (e.g., as a poetic or euphemistic reference). Although rarely, the term can be used euphemistically to refer to a spouse (typically a wife), highlighting the close association between clothing and intimate partnership in some poetic texts.
Semantic Range
garment, clothing, attire, vestment, (figurative) dignity or status as clothing, (rare euphemism) spouse/wife
Root / Etymology
From the root ל-ב-ש (לבש), which fundamentally means 'to put on clothing' or 'to clothe oneself.' לְבוּשׁ is a noun form denoting 'that which is worn' or 'garment.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term לְבוּשׁ is attested in both Hebrew and Aramaic sections of the Tanakh, often appearing in poetic, prophetic, and wisdom literature (e.g., Psalms, Proverbs, Daniel). The general meaning is an item of clothing or garment, but it can bear a symbolic or metaphorical sense, such as representing status, dignity, or transformation. In certain contexts (esp. later or poetic language), לְבוּשׁ may be used euphemistically for 'wife' (as in Isaiah 61:10), though this usage is contextually driven and not the word's primary sense. The noun overlaps with other Hebrew terms like בֶּגֶד (beged, general garment) and שִׂמְלָה (simlah, outer garment or cloak), but לְבוּשׁ can often denote attire more broadly, including ceremonial dress or figurative garment. English translations usually render the word as 'garment' or 'clothing,' but may not always communicate its figurative or euphemistic nuances.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to לְבוּשׁ; {a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife}; garment.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לבש (l-b-sh) — to clothe, to put on clothing, to dress
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3830 | לְבוּשׁ | in garment of |
| H3847 | לָבַשׁ | I will clothe |
| H3848 | לְבַשׁ | you will put on |
| H4403 | מַלְבּוּשׁ | the garment |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3831-01 |
לְבוּשֵׁ֣/הּ | levusheh | ANcmsc/Sp3ms |
his clothing | his garment | 1 |
H3831-02 |
וּ/לְבֻשֵׁי/ה֑וֹן | ulevusheyhon | AC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
and their other garments | and their garments | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3831-02 |
Daniel 3:21 | וּ/לְבֻשֵׁי/ה֑וֹן | ulevusheyhon | AC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
and their other garments | and their garments |
H3831-01 |
Daniel 7:9 | לְבוּשֵׁ֣/הּ | levusheh | ANcmsc/Sp3ms |
his clothing | his garment |