Byssus

BYSSUS. By this word we generally understand that fine Egyptian Linen to be meant, which the Priests Tunicks were made of. But we are to distinguish carefully three sorts of things, which are generally confounded, and are comprehended under the name of Linen¹. 1. The Hebrew, bad, which signifies Linen. 2. Schesch, which signifies Cotton. 3. Buz, which is what we commonly call Byssus, which is the Silk growing under a certain shell-fish called Pinna.

Philo² says, that the Byssus is the clearest, and most beautiful, the whitest, strongest, and most glossy sort of Linen; that it is not made of any thing mortal, that is to say, of woollen or the skin of any animal, but that it comes out of the earth, and becomes always whiter and more shining, when it is washed as it should be. There is a sort of Pumice-stone in the confines of Arabia, and in the isle of Cyprus³, called Amiantus, or incorruptible which is beaten and dissolves much after the manner of our making paper, then being dried, it is spun like cotton. Of this the Arabians make them socks, stockings and drawers, to defend themselves from the burning heats of the sands in Arabia. This sort of linen cloth is incorruptible, and does not burn, but is cleansed in the flames. Pliny⁴ calls it Linum vivum, and says, that the Romans made tablecloths and napkins of it, which were clean ed and became more beautiful by passing through the fire. One would think Moses should not have forgotten this kind of Linen among those mentioned by him. But has he spoke of it under the name of Byssus? This is what no one can affirm certainly without temerity.

In our Comment upon Exodus and the Chronicles, we have declared ourselves in favour of that kind of Silk, which is to be found at the tail of a certain Fish called Pinna, and fastens it to the Earth with a sort of tuft, in colour like a yellow gilded Silk, and of this formerly the richest Mantles were made for Kings⁵: Procopius says, the Emperor Justinian had a Mantle of this sort of Silk, which he made use of upon occasions of Ceremony.

Nevertheless, I have still some doubt concerning this opinion; for I do not find the name of Buz in the Hebrew Text of Moses, tho’ the Greek and Latin Interpreters have made use of the word Byssus, to signify the fine Linen of certain Habits belonging to the Priests. There is room therefore to believe, that it was not the design of Moses to speak of it. The word Buz is not to be met with in the Bible, excepting in the Chronicles, in Ezekiel, and Esther. In the Chronicles we see David Ezek. xxvii. 16. Esth. i. 6. 1 Chr. xv. 27 and 2 Chr. v. 12. Esth. viii. 15. 2 Chr. ii. 14. and iii. 14. 1 Chr. iv. 21.dressed in a Mantle of Buz, with the Singers and all the Levites. Solomon uses Buz in the Vails of the Temple and the Sanctuary. Ahasuerus’s Tents were upheld by Cords of Buz, and Mordecai was cloathed with a Mantle of Purple and Buz, when King Ahasuerus honoured him with the first Employment in his Kingdom. Lastly, it is observed, that there was a Manufacture of Buz in the City of Beersheba in Palestine. I can hardly persuade myself, that the Silk of the Fish Pinna could have been so frequent in this Country, so early as in the time of David and Solomon. Nevertheless it is certain, that this Buz must have been different from common Linen, since in the very same place, where it is said, that David had a Mantle of Byssus upon him, we read likewise, that he wore a Linen Ephod. See the Article Cotton.

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