Proverbs 31:22

coverings i.e. carpetsor cushions, to be spread out on the bed or divan. Comp. Proverbs 7:16.

silk Rather, fine linen, as the word is rendered both of Egyptian robes of honour (Genesis 41:42) and of the Jewish High-priest's garments (Exodus 28:39), as well as of the coverings of the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:1; Exodus 27:9; Exodus 27:18).

Though it is not improbable that silk may have been among the articles of commerce introduced by Solomon, there is no certainty as to when it was first known to the Hebrews. See Smith's Dict. of Bible, Art. silk. The rendering of the LXX. here (ἐκ δὲ βύσσου καὶ πορφύρας ἑαυτῇ ἐνδύματα) is interesting when compared with the "purple and fine linen" (ἐνεδιδύσκετο πορφύραν καὶ βύσσον) of the rich man in the parable (Luke 16:19). His fault was not that he dressed richly and fared sumptuously, but that he did not "spread forth his hand to the poor, and reach forth his hands to the needy" (Proverbs 31:20, above).