מִכְנָס
(only in dual) drawers (from concealing the private parts)
Definition
The Hebrew word מִכְנָס (miknâç) refers specifically to a garment worn to cover the lower body and private parts, essentially a type of undergarment or linen trousers. It appears exclusively in the dual form (מִכְנְסֵי), indicating a pair of these garments. In the biblical context, these were not everyday clothing but were prescribed as sacred attire for priests serving in the tabernacle and temple (Exodus 28:42, Exodus 39:28). They were part of the priestly vestments designed to ensure modesty and ritual purity during sacrificial duties, as emphasized in Leviticus 6:10 and Leviticus 16:4. Ezekiel 44:18 also mandates them for priests in the future temple, underscoring their enduring role in holy service.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in priestly and ritual contexts within the Pentateuch and Ezekiel. All five occurrences describe the linen undergarments worn by Aaron and his sons, and later priests, while performing their duties at the altar. The usage is consistent: it is always in the dual form and always in direct connection with God's commands for proper attire to prevent exposure and maintain holiness during worship (Exodus 28:42, Leviticus 16:4). Its appearance in Ezekiel 44:18 reaffirms this requirement for the restored temple priesthood.
Etymology
Derived from the root כָּמַס (kāmas, H3647), which means 'to store up' or 'to hide.' The noun form מִכְנָס thus carries the sense of 'that which conceals' or 'a covering.' This etymology directly informs its function as a garment designed to hide the priest's nakedness, aligning with the modesty required in God's presence.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights the themes of holiness, modesty, and the seriousness of approaching God. The specific command for priests to wear linen undergarments (Exodus 28:42-43) was to prevent them from incurring guilt and dying when ministering at the altar. It underscores that God's holiness requires both internal purity and external reverence, with even the most basic clothing being regulated for those who serve in His sanctuary. Understanding this detail enriches reading by revealing the comprehensive care God took in separating the sacred from the profane.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, especially in ritual settings, exposure of nakedness was associated with shame and impurity. The priestly מִכְנָס were distinct from common clothing; they were made of fine linen, symbolizing purity and separation. This garment served a practical and symbolic function, ensuring that during physically demanding sacrificial work, the priests remained covered according to divine standards, which differed from some contemporary pagan practices where ritual nudity sometimes occurred.
בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a general term for 'garment' or 'clothing,' whereas מִכְנָס is a specific type of undergarment. לְבוּשׁ (lᵉḇûš, H3830) — another general term for 'apparel' or 'raiment,' not specifying the function of covering nakedness like מִכְנָס.
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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