Linen, silk and cashmere are three different types of fabrics. Linen is made from the flax plant. Silk is made from fibers produced by silkworms. Cashmere is made from the wool produced by Kashmir goats. Sometimes, the word linen can be used in a more general sense to refer to sheets or other household items made from linen fabric.

Although the Bible mentions fabrics made from goat hair, such as were used in some of the curtains of the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:7), cashmere itself is not mentioned in the Bible. Silk is mentioned three times in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament. Some scholars believe the only reference to true silk is in Revelation 18:12 of the New Testament. Verses 11-13 discuss Babylon, itself a symbol of the worldly and corrupt church system and prophesizes the time when the world will no longer accept the offerings of that corrupt system. A string of offerings is listed, including fine linen and silk. Given that this is the only reference to actual silk in the Bible, it can be difficult to apply a symbolic significance specifically to it. 

Linen, especially fine linen, is referenced repeatedly throughout the Bible. For instance, linen was used extensively in the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle’s ten curtains were made from fine twined linen (Exodus 26:1, 31-32, 26, as examples). Fine linen was also used in the clothing of the priests and high priest, who served in the Tabernacle (Exodus 28:5-6, 8, 15, 39, 42 as examples). Fine linen often symbolizes righteousness, and in some cases, specifically the righteousness of Jesus. The high priest of the Tabernacle, for example, is a symbol of Jesus, and the linen in the clothes the priest wore is a symbol of his righteousness. In Revelation 18:12, the reference to the “fine linen of Babylon” is sometimes interpreted as a symbol of the corrupt church system using Jesus’ righteous name to inappropriately serve their desire for earthly riches and power. 

Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1099: “Should Christians Care About the Jewish Tabernacle?”
Unlocking the secrets and symbols God gave to ancient Israel
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CQ Rewind Show Notes