φελόνης
a mantle, cloak
Definition
The Greek word φελόνης (phelonēs) refers to a specific type of outer garment, a cloak or mantle, likely a heavy traveling cloak used for warmth and protection from the elements. In its sole New Testament occurrence, it is an item of personal property left behind by the apostle Paul. The term does not carry a specialized religious or ceremonial meaning in the biblical text, but simply denotes a practical piece of clothing. Its mention in 2 Timothy 4:13 highlights it as a tangible, personal possession of significance to Paul.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in 2 Timothy 4:13. Paul, writing from prison, instructs Timothy: 'When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas.' The context is entirely practical and personal, listing items (including books and parchments) that Paul wants Timothy to bring to him. There is no symbolic or theological usage pattern, as it appears solely as a piece of clothing in a personal request.
Etymology
The word φελόνης (phelonēs) is of Greek origin, but its precise derivation is uncertain. It is not derived from a more common root within the New Testament. It is a specific term for a cloak, possibly related to the Latin 'paenula', which refers to a similar type of traveler's cape or hooded cloak. This suggests it was a recognizable type of garment in the Greco-Roman world.
Semantic Range
In the 1st-century Roman world, a φελόνης was likely a heavy, woolen cloak or cape, essential for travel and cold weather. It was a valuable personal item, often serving as a blanket at night. Paul's request for his cloak in 2 Timothy 4:13, written as winter approaches (2 Timothy 4:21), underscores its practical necessity for survival in a damp prison cell. This request humanizes Paul, showing his physical needs alongside his spiritual concerns for his books and parchments.
ἱμάτιον (himation, G2440) — a general term for an outer garment or cloak, more common than φελόνης. χλαμύς (chlamys, G5511) — a shorter military cloak or cape. στολή (stolē, G4749) — a long, formal robe, often implying dignity or honor.
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 →