כְּתֹנֶת
a shirt
Definition
The Hebrew word כְּתֹנֶת (kᵉthôneth) refers to a tunic or long shirt-like garment, typically worn next to the skin as a basic article of clothing. In most contexts, it describes a simple, full-length tunic worn by both men and women, such as the garments of skin God made for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21). However, it can also denote a special, ornate tunic, like the 'coat of many colors' given to Joseph by his father (Genesis 37:3). In priestly contexts, it specifically refers to the finely crafted, linen tunics worn by the high priest and regular priests as part of their sacred vestments (Exodus 28:4, 39).
Biblical Usage
The word appears 26 times in the Old Testament, primarily in the narratives of Genesis and the priestly instructions of Exodus. In Genesis, it is used for ordinary garments (Genesis 3:21) and for Joseph's distinctive tunic (Genesis 37:3, 23). The story of Joseph uses the word repeatedly to emphasize the garment's role in the plot (Genesis 37:31-33). In Exodus and Leviticus, its usage shifts to the specialized priestly tunics, which are described in detail as part of the holy attire for service in the Tabernacle (Exodus 28:39-40, Leviticus 8:7-9).
Etymology
The noun כְּתֹנֶת (kᵉthôneth) is derived from an unused root meaning 'to cover,' which relates it to the word for 'shoulder' (כָּתֵף, kāthēph, H3802). It is a cognate with similar words in other Semitic languages (like Akkadian 'kitû' and Arabic 'kattāna') for linen or a linen garment. This suggests the core idea is a covering garment, often made of linen, that drapes from the shoulders.
Semantic Range
This word carries theological weight in several key narratives. In Genesis 3:21, God Himself makes כְּתֹנֹת of skin for Adam and Eve, an act of grace providing covering after the Fall, which some see as foreshadowing later sacrificial atonement. Joseph's special כְּתֹנֶת (Genesis 37:3) symbolizes favoritism and covenant promise, and its loss marks his descent and God's unfolding plan. In Exodus, the priestly כְּתֹנֶת is part of the holy garments 'for glory and for beauty' (Exodus 28:2), representing the mediated approach to God and the need for consecrated service. Understanding this garment enriches reading by highlighting themes of covering, identity, status, and sacred representation.
In ancient Israelite culture, the כְּתֹנֶת was a fundamental, often sleeved, tunic that could range from a simple work garment to a richly decorated status symbol. Unlike a modern 'shirt,' it was usually a long, robe-like undergarment, sometimes reaching the ankles. The famous 'coat of many colors' (כְּתֹנֶת פַּסִּים) given to Joseph likely indicated not just affection but also a position of authority and inheritance rights, as such ornate, long-sleeved garments were impractical for manual labor and signified elite status. The priestly versions were made of fine linen, symbolizing purity and holiness in a ritual context.
בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a more general term for any garment or clothing. שִׂמְלָה (śimlâ, H8071) — often an outer garment, cloak, or mantle. מְעִיל (mᵉʿîl, H4598) — a robe or cloak, often of authority or prestige, like Samuel's or Jonathan's robe.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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