שְׁתִי
she.ti
warp
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
Supported# Analysis of Hebrew שְׁתִי (She.ti) The Hebrew word שְׁתִי (she.ti) refers to the "warp"—a specific technical term from textile production. In weaving, the warp comprises the foundational lengthwise threads that are stretched across a loom, into which the crosswise threads (the weft) are interlaced. This term identifies a concrete, functional component of the weaving process rather than an abstract concept. With nine occurrences in the Hebrew Bible, שְׁתִי appears consistently enough to indicate that weaving terminology held relevance in biblical literature, though not extensively. The word's presence suggests that ancient Hebrew speakers were familiar with loom work and its specialized vocabulary, pointing to weaving as a recognized craft within Israelite society. The limited number of occurrences indicates that while weaving was practiced, biblical authors did not frequently reference its technical components in their writings. The significance of this word lies in its practical rather than symbolic dimension. It preserves evidence of ancient textile technology and the everyday economic activities of biblical-era communities, offering insight into material culture and domestic or commercial production. Understanding such technical vocabulary helps reconstruct the daily life and practical knowledge of ancient Hebrew speakers.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
9 total occurrences across the text
whether it is in warp or woof; of linen or of wool; whether in a leather, or in anything made of leather;
Leviticus 13:49if the plague is greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the leather, or in the warp, or in the woof, or in anything made of leather; it is the plague of leprosy, and shall be shown to the priest.
Leviticus 13:51He shall examine the plague on the seventh day. If the plague has spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in the skin, whatever use the skin is used for, the plague is a destructive mildew. It is unclean.
Leviticus 13:52He shall burn the garment, whether the warp or the woof, in wool or in linen, or anything of leather, in which the plague is, for it is a destructive mildew. It shall be burned in the fire.
Leviticus 13:53“If the priest examines it, and behold, the plague hasn’t spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in anything of skin;
Leviticus 13:56If the priest looks, and behold, the plague has faded after it is washed, then he shall tear it out of the garment, or out of the skin, or out of the warp, or out of the woof;
Leviticus 13:57and if it appears again in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in anything of skin, it is spreading. You shall burn with fire that in which the plague is.
Leviticus 13:58The garment, either the warp, or the woof, or whatever thing of skin it is, which you shall wash, if the plague has departed from them, then it shall be washed the second time, and it will be clean.”
Leviticus 13:59This is the law of the plague of mildew in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp, or the woof, or in anything of skin, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.