פַּטִּישׁ
a gown (as if hammered out wide)
Definition
פַּטִּישׁ (paṭṭîysh) refers to an article of clothing, specifically a type of garment worn in the ancient Near East. In its sole biblical occurrence in Daniel 3:21, it is listed among the items worn by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they were thrown into the fiery furnace. The traditional gloss 'gown' or 'robe' suggests a long, loose-fitting outer garment. Some scholars, noting its Aramaic origin and connection to a root meaning 'to hammer out,' suggest it may indicate a garment that was wide or spread out, perhaps a flowing mantle or tunic. The exact style remains uncertain, but it was clearly a recognizable part of royal or official attire in the Babylonian context.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Daniel 3:21. It appears in a list describing the complete attire—'their coats, their hose (פַּטִּישׁ), their hats, and their other garments'—of the three Jewish exiles. The context is the execution decree of King Nebuchadnezzar, emphasizing that they were cast into the furnace fully clothed. The usage is purely descriptive, highlighting the detail of the narrative and the fact that even their distinctive clothing was not removed.
Etymology
פַּטִּישׁ is an Aramaic word borrowed into Biblical Hebrew, used in the Aramaic portions of Daniel. It derives from a root corresponding to Hebrew H6360 (פַּטִּישׁ, *paṭṭîš*), which means 'hammer.' The connection likely stems from the concept of hammering metal into thin, wide sheets, metaphorically applied to a garment that is 'hammered out' or spread wide. This illustrates how material culture (metalworking) influenced the terminology for clothing (a wide, perhaps flowing, robe).
Semantic Range
In the cultural context of Daniel, this garment was part of the attire worn by officials in the Babylonian court. The detailed listing in Daniel 3:21 serves to underscore the completeness of their condemnation—they were thrown in with all their regalia intact. Understanding this term reminds the reader that these men were fully identified as officials of the Babylonian empire, yet their faith in God transcended that identity. The specific garment type, possibly a wide robe or tunic, reflects Mesopotamian fashion, distinct from typical Israelite clothing.
כֻּתֹּנֶת (kuttōnet, H3801) — a common tunic or undergarment, often of linen. שִׂמְלָה (śimlâ, H8008) — a general term for a cloak or outer garment. מְעִיל (məʿîl, H4598) — a robe or mantle, often of significance (e.g., priestly or royal).
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.
Full methodology & sources →