שִׂמְלָה
a dress, especially a mantle
Definition
The Hebrew noun שִׂמְלָה (simlâh) refers to a garment, typically an outer garment or mantle that served as a primary piece of clothing. It often denotes a large, loose-fitting robe or cloak that could be used for warmth, modesty, or as a status item. In some contexts, it specifically indicates a woman's garment (Deuteronomy 22:5) or a high-quality robe, such as Joseph's 'coat of many colors' (Genesis 37:3, where a different but related term is used) and the royal garments Pharaoh gave Joseph (Genesis 41:14). The term can also broadly encompass clothing in general, as seen when the Israelites are instructed to ask for garments from the Egyptians (Exodus 3:22).
Biblical Usage
שִׂמְלָה appears 28 times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative books like Genesis and Exodus. It is often used in contexts involving significant personal or communal transitions: for example, in mourning (Genesis 37:34), purification (Genesis 35:2), divine provision (Exodus 3:22), and as gifts denoting honor or status (Genesis 45:22). The word typically refers to a substantial outer garment that could be easily taken off, put on, or used to carry items, as when the Israelites carried their dough in their garments (Exodus 12:34).
Etymology
The origin of שִׂמְלָה is uncertain. It may derive from a root meaning 'to clothe' or be related through permutation to the feminine form of סֶמֶל (semel, H5566), meaning 'figure' or 'likeness,' suggesting the idea of a covering that assumes the shape of the body. It is closely cognate with שַׂלְמָה (salmâh, H8008), another word for a garment or cloak, indicating a shared semantic field for outer clothing in Hebrew.
Semantic Range
שִׂמְלָה carries theological weight in narratives of divine provision and human dignity. In Exodus 3:22, God instructs the Israelites to claim garments from the Egyptians, symbolizing both practical provision and a transfer of wealth as part of liberation. Garments like Joseph's in Genesis 41:14 signify God's elevation of individuals to positions of authority. The term also appears in contexts of repentance and purification (Genesis 35:2), linking clothing to spiritual readiness. Understanding this Hebrew word enriches reading by highlighting how material possessions, like clothing, are woven into stories of God's care, justice, and transformation.
In ancient Israelite culture, a שִׂמְלָה was more than mere attire; it was a valuable asset often indicating social status, gender identity (Deuteronomy 22:5), and personal wealth. Such garments could be pledged as collateral (Deuteronomy 24:17) or given as honorific gifts. Unlike modern clothing, these mantles were versatile—used for warmth, carrying goods, or even as bedding. Their loss or removal could signify vulnerability, mourning, or humiliation, as when garments were torn in grief (Genesis 37:34).
שַׂלְמָה (salmâh, H8008) — a very similar term for a garment or cloak, often used interchangeably; בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a more general term for garment or clothing, sometimes with connotations of treachery; לְבוּשׁ (lᵉbûsh, H3830) — apparel or clothing, often of a royal or fine quality.
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 →