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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.

Translation Consistency

primary "sash" 9 occurrences

The Hebrew אַבְנֵט refers specifically to a long, decorative fabric band worn around the waist as part of priestly or official dress. "Sash" is the natural, idiomatic English noun that captures the length, fabric quality, and ceremonial function better than the more generic "belt." It is concise and suitable for consistent rendering across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain derivation; a belt; girdle.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

uncertain (Baleadan) — uncertain

Root uncertain (uncertain)
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1002 בִּירָה the citadel
H105 אֲגַרְטָל bowls of
H1081 בַּלְאֲדָן Baladan
H1085 בִּלְדַּד Bildad
H1095 בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר Belteshatsar

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H73-01 אַבְנֵ֜ט avenet HNcmsa sashes ceremonial sash ceremonial sash 2
H73-06 וְ/אַבְנֵ֑ט veavenet HC/Ncmsa and a sash ceremonial sash and ceremonial sash 2
H73-02 אַבְנֵטִ֑ים avenetim HNcmpa sashes ceremonial sashes ceremonial sashes 1
H73-03 בָּֽ/אַבְנֵ֔ט baavenet HRd/Ncmsa with the sash ceremonial sash ceremonial sash 1
H73-04 הָ/אַבְנֵ֞ט haavenet HTd/Ncmsa sash the ceremonial sash the ceremonial sash 1
H73-05 וּ/בְ/אַבְנֵ֥ט uveavenet HC/R/Ncmsc and with a sash and with ceremonial sash-of and with ceremonial sash of 1
H73-07 וְ/אַבְנֵֽטְ/ךָ֙ veavenetekha HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms and your sash your ceremonial sash and your sash 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H73-06 Exodus 28:4 וְ/אַבְנֵ֑ט veavenet HC/Ncmsa and a sash ceremonial sash and ceremonial sash
H73-06 Exodus 28:39 וְ/אַבְנֵ֥ט veavenet HC/Ncmsa and a sash ceremonial sash and ceremonial sash
H73-02 Exodus 28:40 אַבְנֵטִ֑ים avenetim HNcmpa sashes ceremonial sashes ceremonial sashes
H73-01 Exodus 29:9 אַבְנֵ֜ט avenet HNcmsa sash ceremonial sash ceremonial sash
H73-04 Exodus 39:29 הָ/אַבְנֵ֞ט haavenet HTd/Ncmsa sash the ceremonial sash the ceremonial sash
H73-03 Leviticus 8:7 בָּֽ/אַבְנֵ֔ט baavenet HRd/Ncmsa with the sash ceremonial sash ceremonial sash
H73-01 Leviticus 8:13 אַבְנֵ֔ט avenet HNcmsa sashes ceremonial sash ceremonial sash
H73-05 Leviticus 16:4 וּ/בְ/אַבְנֵ֥ט uveavenet HC/R/Ncmsc and with a sash and with ceremonial sash-of and with ceremonial sash of
H73-07 Isaiah 22:21 וְ/אַבְנֵֽטְ/ךָ֙ veavenetekha HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms and your sash your ceremonial sash and your sash
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