δερμάτινος
made of hide, leathern
Definition
The adjective δερμάτινος (dermatinos) means 'made of hide' or 'leathern.' It specifically describes items crafted from animal skins, typically tanned leather. In the New Testament, it is used exclusively to describe the belt or girdle worn by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:4, Mark 1:6). The word emphasizes the material's rustic, durable, and non-luxurious nature, contrasting with finer fabrics like linen or wool. No other nuanced meanings or applications are present in the biblical text.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both in parallel Gospel accounts describing John the Baptist's attire. It appears in Matthew 3:4 and Mark 1:6, modifying the noun 'belt' or 'girdle' (ζώνη, zōnē). The usage is purely descriptive, highlighting the simple, rough material of his clothing as part of his prophetic identity and ascetic lifestyle in the wilderness.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek noun δέρμα (derma, G1192), meaning 'skin' or 'hide.' The suffix -ινος (-inos) forms an adjective meaning 'made of' or 'pertaining to.' Thus, δερμάτινος literally means 'of skin' or 'made from hide.' It is a straightforward descriptive term related to materials.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is descriptive, its application to John the Baptist is theologically significant. His leather belt, along with his camel-hair garment, visually identified him with the prophet Elijah (cf. 2 Kings 1:8), signaling his role as the forerunner preparing the way for the Messiah (Malachi 4:5, Matthew 11:14). It symbolizes repentance, humility, and separation from worldly luxury, enriching our understanding of his prophetic ministry.
In the ancient Greco-Roman and Jewish world, leather from animal hides was a common, practical material for durable items like belts, sandals, wineskins, and protective gear. A leather belt was standard for laborers, travelers, and soldiers. John's use of it, rather than a more refined sash, immediately communicated his austere, wilderness-dwelling lifestyle to contemporary audiences, aligning him with Old Testament prophetic figures.
δέρμα (derma, G1192) — the noun 'skin' or 'hide,' the raw material from which something δερμάτινος is made.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
Full methodology & sources →