Original Word: שְׁתִי
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: shthiy
Pronunciation: sheh-TEE
Phonetic Spelling: (sheth-ee')
KJV: warp
NASB: warp
Word Origin: [from H7896 (שִׁיתּ - set)]

1. a fixture, i.e. the warp in weaving

warp

From shiyth; a fixture, i.e. The warp in weaving -- warp.

see HEBREW shiyth

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
warp
NASB Translation
warp (9).

II. שְׁתִי₈ noun masculine warp (Late Hebrew id.; Arabic , id.); — always ׳שׁ absolute; — warp, the set of threads drawn lengthwise in loom, through which the shuttle bearing the woof (II. עֵרֶב) is thrown crosswise; Leviticus 13:48 7t. Leviticus 13; compare GFM^{PAOS, Oct. 1889, cixxviii} ARSK^{EB WEAVING}.

שָׁתוֺת see [ שָׁת] below שׁית.

שְׁתַּיִם see שְׁנַיִם below II. שׁנה.

Biblical Occurrences and Context

שְׁתִי (sheti) appears nine times in the laws of tzaraath affecting garments (Leviticus 13:48-59). Each instance speaks of “warp,” the longitudinal threads of a woven fabric that, together with the “woof,” form the cloth. The priestly inspection was to determine whether any strand—whether in “warp or woof, linen or wool” (Leviticus 13:48)—was touched by a greenish or reddish contagion. If the mark remained after washing, “it is a destructive mildew; the garment is unclean. It must be burned” (Leviticus 13:52-53). By focusing on warp and woof separately, the legislation recognizes the pervasive character of defilement: it can penetrate fiber by fiber, not merely the surface.

Historical and Cultural Background

Ancient weaving was done on upright looms. The warp threads were fastened taut from top to bottom; the weft was inserted cross-wise. Because the warp bore most of the tension, any corruption in those strands threatened the stability and longevity of the whole garment. The priest’s painstaking scrutiny underscores Israel’s broader concern for holiness in every detail of daily life, down to clothing construction.

Ceremonial Purity and Holiness

The warp law belongs to Leviticus’s larger holiness code. Just as human skin could manifest uncleanness, so could fabric, leather, and even house walls (Leviticus 14:33-53). Uncleanness was not merely hygienic; it rendered the object unfit for use in the covenant community and barred worshippers from the sanctuary. Burning a defiled garment prefigured the final removal of sin and impurity from God’s presence.

Symbolic and Theological Significance

1. Penetrating Nature of Sin: The warp is foundational. If sin reaches that level, patching the surface is futile (Leviticus 13:57). Likewise, sin corrupts the heart’s deepest strands (Jeremiah 17:9).
2. Priest as Examiner: The priestly role foreshadows Christ, our High Priest, who searches the innermost thoughts (Hebrews 4:12-13) and offers cleansing more effective than washing with water (Hebrews 9:13-14).
3. Total Consecration: Garments often symbolize righteous deeds (Revelation 19:8). A spotless warp calls believers to integrity “in the hidden person of the heart” (1 Peter 3:4).

Connections to the New Covenant

While the New Testament no longer legislates fabric inspection, the principle of thorough purity remains. Paul commands the church to address sin “so that you may be a new unleavened batch” (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Old Testament burning of defiled garments anticipates the eschatological fiery judgment that will purge creation (2 Peter 3:10-13).

Ministry Applications Today

• Pastoral Care: Just as priests inspected warp and woof, shepherds must discern underlying patterns of sin in individual lives, not settling for superficial solutions.
• Discipleship: Teaching on שְׁתִי illustrates why confession and repentance must reach foundational motives, not merely outward conduct.
• Corporate Holiness: Congregations should address systemic issues—unjust structures, habitual gossip, secret immorality—before they spread like mildew through the “fabric” of the church.

Conclusion

The nine appearances of שְׁתִי in Leviticus reveal that God’s demand for holiness penetrates to the warp of life. From the loom of an ancient Israelite tent to the hearts of modern believers, the lesson endures: impurity cannot be tolerated, but cleansing is available through the perfect work of our Great High Priest.

בִֽשְׁתִי֙ בַשְּׁתִ֖י בַשְּׁתִ֤י בשתי הַשְּׁתִ֖י הַשְּׁתִ֣י ׀ הַשְּׁתִ֨י הַשְּׁתִי֙ השתי ḇiš·ṯî ḇišṯî haš·šə·ṯî hashsheTi haššəṯî vashsheTi vishTiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts