שְׂרִיקָה
𐤔𐤓𐤉𐤒𐤄
sᵉrîyqâh
H8305 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Shredded flax fiber, tow; by extension, coarse linen cloth made from such fibers. The term primarily denotes the short, rough fibers left after combing or processing flax, used for spinning coarse threads or making rough linen fabrics. In rare cases, it can refer to linen material or garments produced from these fibers.
Semantic Range
tow (shredded flax fiber), combed flax refuse, coarse linen cloth, rough linen products
Root / Etymology
From the root שׂרק, which generally means 'to tend vines' or 'to select.' שְׂרִיקָה is a nominal form likely deriving from the same root by analogy to the 'fine combing' or 'drawing,' referencing the process of extracting fiber from flax plants. Its development into textile meaning is based on the concept of separating or drawing out fibers (as with vines or flax).
Historical & Contextual Notes
שְׂרִיקָה occurs only in Isaiah 19:9, in the context of lament over declining Egyptian industry. The term refers specifically to low-grade, coarse fibers (tow) used for producing rough linen products, which were less valuable than fine-combed or fully processed linen. The derived cloth would be coarser than standard linen (פִּשְׁתָּה). English translations often render the word as 'tow' or 'fine flax,' but this can obscure the relatively inferior quality the term implies in context. In biblical usage, שְׂרִיקָה usually refers to the raw, stubbly fibers after combing, distinguishing it from higher-quality linen. During the monarchic and exilic periods, linen was important both for everyday use and in ritual contexts, but שְׂרִיקָה designates materials on the lower end of this spectrum. Later Hebrew does not preserve the word. Contrast with פִּשְׁתַּן (linen/flax) which encompasses both fine and coarse processed flax, and with בַּד (linen cloth), which usually denotes higher grade fabric.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as שֹׂרֵק in the original sense of piercing; hetchelling (or combing flax), i.e. (concretely) tow (by extension, linen cloth); fine.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׂרק (ś-r-q) — draw out, comb, separate, select
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4957 | מַשְׂרֵקָה | from Masreqah |
| H7796 | שׂוֹרֵק | Sorek |
| H8291 | שָׂרוּק | her choice grapevines |
| H8320 | שָׂרֻק | choice grapes |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8305-01 |
שְׂרִיק֑וֹת | seriqot | HAafpa |
combed flax | combed flax fibers | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8305-01 |
Isaiah 19:9 | שְׂרִיק֑וֹת | seriqot | HAafpa |
combed flax | combed flax fibers |