Original Word: בּד
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: bad
Pronunciation: bahd
Phonetic Spelling: (bad)
KJV: linen
NASB: linen
Word Origin: [perhaps from H909 (בָּדַד - shoots) (in the sense of divided fibres)]

1. flaxen thread or yarn
2. (hence) a linen garment

linen

Perhaps from badad (in the sense of divided fibres); flaxen thread or yarn; hence, a linen garment -- linen.

see HEBREW badad

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
white linen
NASB Translation
linen (22).

I. בַּד, בָּ֑ד noun [masculine] white linen (derivation unknown) plural אֵפוֺד בָּ֑דבַּ֯דִּים 1 Samuel 2:18 (Samuel), 1 Samuel 22:18 (priests of Nob), 2 Samuel 6:14 = 1 Chronicles 15:27 (David): in P as material of different priestly vestments Exodus 28:42; Exodus 39:28; Leviticus 6:3 (twice in verse); Leviticus 16:4 (4 t. in verse); Leviticus 16:23,32. Plural (ה)לבושׁ (הַ)בַּדִּים clad in (the) linen garments, of angel Ezekiel 9:2,3,11; Ezekiel 10:2,6,7; Daniel 10:5; Daniel 12:6,7.

Material and Cultural Setting

The noun בַּד (bad) denotes woven linen, a textile obtained from flax and prized in the ancient Near East for its lightness, breathability, and whiteness. Linen was costly to produce, requiring lengthy retting, spinning, and weaving. In Israel the fiber was cultivated (Isaiah 19:9), yet the purity of priestly linen demanded meticulous craftsmanship. Linen’s cool texture made it especially suitable for hot, arid climates and for labor performed near fire, such as temple sacrifice (Ezekiel 44:18). Its color and lack of mixed fibers distinguished it from wool and other fabrics, visually marking holiness and separation.

Priestly Garments and Cultic Purity

From the outset of Israel’s worship system linen is the mandated fabric for the priests’ daily service. “Make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh” (Exodus 28:42). Moses obeyed: “They also made the tunic woven of fine linen” (Exodus 39:28). Leviticus 6:10 portrays the ordinary routine: “The priest is to put on his linen garment and linen undergarments next to his body, and he is to remove the ashes.” The text highlights two principles:

1. Purity. Linen absorbs minimal impurity and sheds dust more readily than wool. The pristine white points to moral cleanliness.
2. Separation. Linen’s exclusivity communicates that the priesthood belongs wholly to God; it is not everyday attire.

Day of Atonement Distinctives

Leviticus 16 employs בַּד more densely than any other chapter (verses 4, 23, 32). On Yom Kippur the high priest divests himself of the jewel-studded ephod and dons four plain linen pieces—tunic, undergarments, sash, and turban—before entering the Holy of Holies. The simplicity proclaims utter humility before the Ark. After completing atonement he bathes and changes garments, stressing the transition from sin-bearing back to intercessory purity. Hebrews 9 draws on this scene to portray Christ entering “the greater and more perfect tabernacle… by His own blood.”

Leadership and Worship Beyond the Tabernacle

בַּד is next encountered in narrative, illustrating that linen priestliness may extend to prophets, kings, and even youth:

• “Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod” (1 Samuel 2:18).
• “Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests… who wore a linen ephod” (1 Samuel 22:18).
• “David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD” (2 Samuel 6:14; cf. 1 Chronicles 15:27).

Though Samuel and David were not Aaronic priests, linen attire marks their functional approach to God and submission to divine order. Conversely, the massacre at Nob underscores how attacking linen-clad priests is tantamount to attacking the worship of Yahweh.

Prophetic and Apocalyptic Imagery

Ezekiel and Daniel adapt בַּד as visionary symbolism:

• In Ezekiel 9–10 a “man clothed in linen” is commissioned to mark the righteous and to ignite judgment with coals from between the cherubim (Ezekiel 9:2–3, 11; 10:2, 6–7). Linen links him to the heavenly priestly sphere, affirming that judgment proceeds in holiness.
• Daniel sees “a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz” (Daniel 10:5; 12:6–7). The figure swears by God “who lives forever,” reflecting solemn, priestly authority over the unfolding of end-time events.

Thus בַּד bridges earthly priesthood and celestial administration, reinforcing that heaven’s activity is perfectly pure, orderly, and covenantally consistent with the Mosaic pattern.

Spiritual Implications for the Church

Although בַּד is confined to the Hebrew Scriptures, Revelation deliberately echoes its theology: “Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:8). The believer’s calling to “put on Christ” (Romans 13:14) parallels the priest’s daily clothing with linen. The fabric’s lightness also speaks to Christ’s yoke, which is easy and light (Matthew 11:30), in contrast to the heavy ceremonial burdens of human religion. Moreover, linen’s prohibition against blending (Deuteronomy 22:11) prefigures the New Testament injunction not to mix faith with lawlessness (2 Corinthians 6:14).

Summary of Major Occurrences

Exodus 28:42; 39:28 – foundational priestly undergarments and tunic.

Leviticus 6:10 – daily ashes removal.

Leviticus 16:4, 23, 32 – high priest’s Day of Atonement dress.

1 Samuel 2:18; 22:18; 2 Samuel 6:14; 1 Chronicles 15:27 – ephods of Samuel, slain priests, and David.

Ezekiel 9:2–11; 10:2–7 – heavenly executor of judgment.

Daniel 10:5; 12:6–7 – radiant messenger guarding prophetic revelation.

Theological Threads

1. Holiness requires covering; linen portrays the acceptable covering God provides.
2. Service and humility are wedded; the finest linen is also the plainest.
3. Judgment and intercession converge; linen-clad emissaries both preserve the righteous and punish the wicked.
4. Anticipation of Christ’s righteousness; what linen symbolized, His life and cross achieved.

בַ֗ד בַּ֖ד בַּ֨ד בַּד֙ בַּדִּ֑ים בַּדִּ֔ים בַד֮ בָ֔ד בָּֽד׃ בד בד׃ בדים הַבַּדִּ֑ים הַבַּדִּ֔ים הַבַּדִּ֗ים הַבַּדִּים֙ הַבָּ֔ד הַבָּ֖ד הבד הבדים bad baḏ bāḏ ḇaḏ ḇāḏ bad·dîm badDim baddîm hab·bāḏ hab·bad·dîm habBad habbāḏ habbadDim habbaddîm VadInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts