אַבְנֵט
𐤀𐤁𐤍𐤈
ʼabnêṭ
H73 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A sash or belt, particularly a long, decorative, fabric band worn around the waist as an element of priestly or official attire in the Hebrew Bible. It typically refers to the elaborate woven sash prescribed as part of the high priest's or priest's vestments, but may also describe similar waistbands worn by nobles or officials in some contexts.
Semantic Range
sash worn by priests, long woven band for ritual attire, decorated belt used ceremonially; rarely, a sash worn by other high-status officials
Root / Etymology
Uncertain. The root connection is unclear, and no direct cognates are found in other Semitic languages. It does not correspond directly to known roots for 'belt' or 'girdle' (such as חגר meaning 'to gird'). The word appears to be a technical or specialized term for a particular type of sash.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אַבְנֵט is predominantly used in priestly texts, especially in Exodus and Leviticus, describing the ornate sash (often of fine linen and embroidery) worn by the Israelite priests and the high priest during ritual service. It features in descriptions of the prescribed garments (Exod 28:4, 39–40; Lev 8:7–13) where it is differentiated from other items of dress by material and ritual importance. The אַבְנֵט is distinct from other Hebrew terms for belt or girdle (e.g., חֵגוֹר, אֵזוֹר), which are more generic and commonly refer to everyday or military wear. In post-exilic texts and later Jewish tradition, the word may acquire additional ritual or symbolic significance. Standard English translations like 'girdle' or 'belt' are insufficient, as they can obscure the specific ritual and symbolic importance of the אַבְנֵט within priestly service. The lexical sense is closely tied to the priestly and ceremonial context and rarely, if ever, used for secular or vernacular dress in biblical Hebrew.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain derivation; a belt; girdle.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אבנט (ʾ-b-n-ṭ) — uncertain; ceremonial sash, woven waistband
Word Forms
7 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H73-06 |
וְ/אַבְנֵ֑ט | veavenet | HC/Ncmsa |
and a sash | ceremonial sash | 2 |
H73-01 |
אַבְנֵ֜ט | avenet | HNcmsa |
sashes | ceremonial sash | 2 |
H73-05 |
וּ/בְ/אַבְנֵ֥ט | uveavenet | HC/R/Ncmsc |
and with a sash | and with ceremonial sash-of | 1 |
H73-04 |
הָ/אַבְנֵ֞ט | haavenet | HTd/Ncmsa |
sash | the ceremonial sash | 1 |
H73-07 |
וְ/אַבְנֵֽטְ/ךָ֙ | veavenetekha | HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
and your sash | your ceremonial sash | 1 |
H73-02 |
אַבְנֵטִ֑ים | avenetim | HNcmpa |
sashes | ceremonial sashes | 1 |
H73-03 |
בָּֽ/אַבְנֵ֔ט | baavenet | HRd/Ncmsa |
with the sash | ceremonial sash | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H73-06 |
Exodus 28:4 | וְ/אַבְנֵ֑ט | veavenet | HC/Ncmsa |
and a sash | ceremonial sash |
H73-06 |
Exodus 28:39 | וְ/אַבְנֵ֥ט | veavenet | HC/Ncmsa |
and a sash | ceremonial sash |
H73-02 |
Exodus 28:40 | אַבְנֵטִ֑ים | avenetim | HNcmpa |
sashes | ceremonial sashes |
H73-01 |
Exodus 29:9 | אַבְנֵ֜ט | avenet | HNcmsa |
sash | ceremonial sash |
H73-04 |
Exodus 39:29 | הָ/אַבְנֵ֞ט | haavenet | HTd/Ncmsa |
sash | the ceremonial sash |
H73-03 |
Leviticus 8:7 | בָּֽ/אַבְנֵ֔ט | baavenet | HRd/Ncmsa |
with the sash | ceremonial sash |
H73-01 |
Leviticus 8:13 | אַבְנֵ֔ט | avenet | HNcmsa |
sashes | ceremonial sash |
H73-05 |
Leviticus 16:4 | וּ/בְ/אַבְנֵ֥ט | uveavenet | HC/R/Ncmsc |
and with a sash | and with ceremonial sash-of |
H73-07 |
Isaiah 22:21 | וְ/אַבְנֵֽטְ/ךָ֙ | veavenetekha | HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
and your sash | your ceremonial sash |