Description
Silk was a fine, expensive cloth made from the fiber produced by the silkworm in making its cocoon.
Translation
Translations and commentaries vary on the translation of the Hebrew word meshi in EZK 16:10; EZK 16:13. The traditional translation has been “silk,” which is still followed by many versions (KJV, RSV, GNT, NCV). Others consider this to be unlikely in the time of Ezekiel, when silk was not yet known in the Middle East. It has been suggested that the word indicates a kind of veil worn by the woman, hiding her face from others but allowing her to see out. Translations that reject “silk” as the proper translation usually find a more general term. Compare CEV “most expensive robes,” NRSV “rich fabric,” GECL “a beautiful, woven robe,” TOB “expensive cloth,” and REB “fine linen.”
In the first-century A.D. setting of REV 18:12, it is quite possible to speak of proper silk. However, it cannot be determined from the context of this verse whether the Greek word sirikos refers simply to cloth or to garments made of silk.