.שעטנז.
I'm asking about the literal meaning behind the word, its etymology, etc.
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1Is Kilayim 9:8 to drash-y for you?– Double AA ♦Mar 26, 2012 at 20:03
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@DoubleAA - It's cute, but then again, it is mishnah. Why don't you post it as an answer?– Adam MoshehMar 26, 2012 at 20:18
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1Because I don't think it's the literal meaning. Midrash is midrash.– Double AA ♦Mar 26, 2012 at 20:36
2 Answers
Wilhelm Gesenius suggests in his Hebrew Dictionary of Tanach that the word derives from the Coptic saht (woven) + nuje (false). He also notes the Septuagent's rendering κίβδηλος (spurious). A pdf of the dictionary page can be found here.
Ibn Ezra already notes in his commentary to Vayikra 19:19 that the word is a dis legomenon and as such we can't know for sure what its exact meaning is other than that of linsey-woolsey which is given in the verse itself (Devarim 22:11):
לֹא תִלְבַּשׁ שַׁעַטְנֵז, צֶמֶר וּפִשְׁתִּים יַחְדָּו
Do not wear Sha'atnez, wool and linen together.
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Per Gemara Yevamos 5: it is Roshei taivos for שוע טווי ונוז.
The Even Ezra translates Shatnez as mixture.
http://www.ou.org/torah/article/kilayim_9_7-8
וראיתי לאחד מרבותינו שפירש שוע טווי הצמר לבד והפשתים לבד, ונוז כלומר ואח"כ נוז דהיינו שניהם ארוגים יחד