Fine Linen: A Biblical Symbol

For millennia, fibers of the flax plant have been spun into thread and used to make linen cloth. Fine linen has been a very useful fabric since ancient times. Today, linen is used to make clothing, bedding, tablecloths, napkins, dish towels, and many other things. It is a durable, lightweight, breathable, absorbent, comfortable, and hypoallergenic fabric. But linen is also an important biblical symbol.

The Bible mentions linen over 100 times in the Old and New Testament. In chapters 26–39 of the book of Exodus, God gave Moses detailed instructions for constructing the curtains of His tabernacle and a screen for the door, all to be made of “fine linen.” The holy garments of the priests were also to be made of fine linen.

When the Pharaoh of Egypt made Jacob’s son Joseph second in command, a type of vizier or chief administrator over the kingdom, he gave him his signet ring and put a gold chain around his neck, and he clothed Joseph in garments made of fine linen (Genesis 41:42).

When King David of Israel brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, fine linen was the fabric of choice for this important occasion. David was “clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the music master with the singers. David also wore a linen ephod” (1 Chronicles 15:27).

When Ahasuerus, king of Persia and Media, made a feast for all his officials, servants, nobles, and princes, he showed them the riches of his kingdom, including his palace—described as having white and blue linen curtains (Esther 1:1–7). Fine linen was considered one of his riches.

Later in the story of Esther, the King, unable to sleep, read the official records and discovered that Esther’s uncle Mordecai had never been honored for his deed of revealing the plot of two doorkeepers seeking to harm the king. In a bit of sweet irony, Haman, who wanted to hang Mordecai, instead unknowingly suggested how to honor “the man whom the king delighted to honor” thinking it was himself. Haman had to carry out the King’s honor on the man he hated. In the end, it describes Mordecai wearing “royal apparel of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a garment of fine linen” (Esther 6, and 8:15).

The “Proverbs 31 Virtuous Wife” is described wearing clothing of “fine linen” (Proverbs 31:22). In the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man, the rich man is described as “clothed in purple and fine linen” and faring sumptuously every day (Luke 16:19). Jesus’ body was “wrapped in fine linen” when He was laid in the tomb (Mark 15:46).

Just as fine linen has been a prized commodity throughout history, so will it be in the end times. Revelation 18 speaks of Babylon the Great, described as living “luxuriously” (v. 7) and clothed in “fine linen” (v. 16). Babylon enriches the merchants of the earth trading in gold, silver, fine linen and other merchandise (vv. 11–13). When Babylon is made desolate, the merchants weep and wail (vv. 16–19).

More importantly, as a biblical symbol, “fine linen” stands for righteous acts, or righteousness.

Psalm 119:172 says, “For all Your commandments are righteousness.” Keeping God’s commandments thus is the way to be “clothed in fine linen.”

And most important of all, it has prophetic significance. The Bride of Christ, His Church (Ephesians 5:22–32), will be “arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:8).

When Jesus Christ returns to conquer the armies of the earth’s nations gathered to fight Him, He is followed by “the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen” (vv. 14, 19). This army of saints will rule on the earth as kings and priests under Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 20:4, 5:10, 19:11–16).

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You may want to read the free study guide The Ten Commandments. And to understand that coming time when Jesus Christ and the saints will help to restore the whole Earth to a state of righteousness and peace, and how God’s Holy Days picture that coming time, please order your free copies of The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like and The Holy Days: God’s Master Plan.