Lexical Summary
beged: Garment, clothing, raiment
Original Word:בֶּגֶד
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:beged
Pronunciation:BEH-ged
Phonetic Spelling:(behg'-ed)
KJV: apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, X very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe
Word Origin:[fromH898 (בָּגַד - treacherous)]
1. a covering
2. clothing
3. (also) treachery or pillage
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
apparel, clothes, garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, very treacherously,
Frombagad; a covering, i.e. Clothing; also treachery or pillage -- apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, X very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe.
see HEBREWbagad
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. ,
Isaiah 24:16;
Jeremiah 12:1.
II. (exceptLeviticus 6:20 , but Samaritan , compare Di inloco Köi. 182) garment, covering —Genesis 28:2 36t.;suffixEzekiel 9:3 + (14 t. withoutdag. lene GesLgb. 94); pluralLeviticus 6:4 32t.; constructGenesis 27:15 39t.; suffix1 Kings 22:20 81t.;Psalm 45:9; —
garment, clothing, raiment, robe of any kind, from the filthy clothing of the leper to the holy robes of the high priest, the simplest covering of the poor as well as the costly raiment of the rich and noble, used throughout Hebrew Literature:Genesis 24:53 (J),Genesis 28:20 (E; 14 t. J E),Exodus 28:2 + (P 90 t.),Deuteronomy 24:17;Judges 8:26 4t.,1 Samuel 19:13 10t.,1 Kings 1:1 23t., 2 Chronicles 18:9 + (Chronicles 9 t.),Esther 4:1,4;Job 13:28;Job 22:6;Job 37:17;Psalm 22:19;Psalm 45:9;Psalm 102:27;Psalm 109:19;Proverbs 6:27;Proverbs 20:16;Proverbs 25:20;Proverbs 27:13;Ecclesiastes 9:8; Isa2Isaiah 24:16;Isaiah 36:22;Isaiah 37:1; Isa3Isaiah 50:9 10t.;Jeremiah 12:1 3t.,Ezekiel 16:16 13t.;Joel 2:13;Amos 2:8;Haggai 2:12;Zechariah 3:3,4,5;Zechariah 14:14;his lapful2 Kings 4:39.
covering, wrapping, of furniture of tabernacleNumbers 4:6-13 (6 t.);coverlet of a bed1 Samuel 19:13.
Topical Lexicon
Basic Meaning and Spectrum of Usageבֶּגֶד (beged) ordinarily denotes any article of dress—from the inner tunic to the outer cloak—as well as cloth spread out for other purposes (Joshua 9:4-5;Judges 8:25). The term covers everyday attire, specialized priestly vestments, royal robes, and even sackcloth employed in mourning or repentance (Jonah 3:6). Because clothing in the Ancient Near East was comparatively scarce and costly, beged carried economic, social, and spiritual freight far beyond mere utility.
Material, Craftsmanship, and Social Context
Biblical references imply wool, linen, and occasionally leather as primary materials (Leviticus 13:47-48). Fine linen garments signified prosperity and rank (Proverbs 31:22;Esther 8:15), whereas coarse cloth or torn garments marked distress (Jeremiah 36:24). Dyeing and embroidery distinguished royalty and priesthood (Exodus 28:4-6). Robes of “many colors” (Genesis 37:3) likely reflected intricate striping or ornamentation reserved for nobility.
Symbolism in Worship and Ritual Law
The Levitical code prescribes that priests minister “in holy garments” (Exodus 28:2-4). Priestly begadim, uniquely patterned and consecrated, dramatized the holiness required to approach the LORD. Conversely, leprous contamination of a beged demanded ritual investigation and burning if infected (Leviticus 13:47-59), underlining that uncleanness defiles both body and covering. Garments were also pledged for debt but had to be returned by sunset, lest the poor man “cry out to Me, and I will hear him” (Exodus 22:26-27), revealing Yahweh’s concern for dignity.
Garments as Indicators of Status and Identity
Royal apparel announces elevation: “Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David” (1 Samuel 18:4), a covenant gesture transferring both honor and responsibility. When Mordecai was robed in blue and white “and a great crown of gold” (Esther 8:15), his public vindication paralleled Israel’s own deliverance. Stripped garments conversely connote judgment and shame, as with Babylon inIsaiah 47:2-3.
Garments in Covenant and Prophetic Imagery
Prophets deploy beged to expose treachery: “Your iniquities have made a separation… For your hands are stained with blood… Their cobwebs cannot become clothing” (Isaiah 59:2-6). Malachi indicts husbands who “cover their garments with violence” (Malachi 2:16), intertwining physical attire with covenant faithfulness. InZechariah 3:3-4 Joshua’s filthy garments are exchanged for clean ones, foreshadowing imputed righteousness: “See, I have removed your iniquity from you.”
Garments in Wisdom and Poetic Literature
Job pictures creation: “You clothed me with skin and flesh” (Job 10:11), likening God’s providence to a garment lovingly tailored.Psalm 104:1-2 exults, “O LORD my God… You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering Yourself with light as with a garment,” elevating beged as a metaphor for divine glory. Proverbs links virtuous character to clothing: “Strength and dignity are her clothing” (Proverbs 31:25).
Garments in Narratives of Redemption
The Passover night saw Israel depart with hastily bundled clothes upon their shoulders (Exodus 12:34), signifying readiness to leave bondage. Ruth’s request that Boaz “spread the corner of your garment over me” (Ruth 3:9) invoked kinsman-redeemer protection. The prodigal’s typological counterpart appears when Joseph forgives his brothers, providing “sets of clothes” (Genesis 45:22), a tangible sign of restored relationship.
Practical and Theological Implications for Ministry
1. Dignity of the Image-Bearer: Ministry to the poor often includes supplying literal garments (Isaiah 58:7;James 2:15-16). Providing clothing mirrors God’s initial act inGenesis 3:21, covering shame through substitution.
2. Holiness in Service: Leaders should approach God clothed in Christ’s righteousness, prefigured by consecrated begadim (Revelation 7:14).
3. Vigilance Against Defilement: Jude 23 warns believers to hate “even the garment stained by the flesh,” echoing Levitical concern for purity.
Messianic and Eschatological Overtones
Messiah’s suffering is hinted when soldiers divide His garments (Psalm 22:18; fulfilled inJohn 19:23-24).Isaiah 61:10 anticipates covenant joy: “He has clothed me with garments of salvation.” Revelation crowns the imagery: the Lamb’s bride is “arrayed in fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:8). Thus the trajectory of beged moves from humanity’s lost covering to eternal resurrection attire, all accomplished through the Redeemer who “loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5).
Forms and Transliterations
בְּבִגְד֛וֹ בְּבִגְדֵיהֶֽם׃ בְּבֶ֣גֶד בְּבֶ֥גֶד בְּגָדִ֑ים בְּגָדִ֔ים בְּגָדִ֖ים בְּגָדִ֜ים בְּגָדִ֣ים בְּגָדִ֤ים בְּגָדִֽים׃ בְּגָדִים֙ בְּגָדֵ֑ינוּ בְּגָדֶ֑יךָ בְּגָדֶ֔יהָ בְּגָדֶ֔יךָ בְּגָדֶ֖יךָ בְּגָדֶ֥יךָ בְּגָדַ֔י בְּגָדַ֔יִךְ בְּגָדָ֑יִךְ בְּגָדָ֑יו בְּגָדָ֔יו בְּגָדָ֖יו בְּגָדָ֗יו בְּגָדָ֛יו בְּגָדָ֜יו בְּגָדָ֞יו בְּגָדָֽיו׃ בְּגָדָיו֙ בְבִגְדֵי־ בְגָדִ֑ים בְגָדִ֖ים בְגָדִֽים׃ בְגָדִים֙ בְגָדֶ֖יךָ בְגָדַ֣י בִּ֭גְדוֹ בִּבְגָדָ֔יו בִּגְד֔וֹ בִּגְד֖וֹ בִּגְד֗וֹ בִּגְד֛וֹ בִּגְדִ֖י בִּגְדֵ֣י בִּגְדֵ֤י בִּגְדֵ֥י בִּגְדֵ֧י בִּגְדֵ֨י בִּגְדֵי־ בִּגְדֵיהֶ֑ם בִּגְדֵיהֶ֔ם בִּגְדֵיהֶ֗ם בִּגְדֵיהֶֽם׃ בִּגְדֵיכֶ֔ם בִּגְדֵיכֶ֛ם בִּגְדֹתֶ֑יךָ בִּגְדוֹ֙ בִגְד֑וֹ בִגְדִ֖י בִגְדֵי־ בִגְדֵיהֶ֖ם בִגְדֵיהֶ֛ם בִגְדֵיכֶם֙ בֶ֤גֶד בֶּ֔גֶד בֶּ֖גֶד בֶּ֚גֶד בֶּ֣גֶד בֶּ֥גֶד בֶּ֧גֶד בֶּ֨גֶד ׀ בֶֽגֶד־ בַּ֠בֶּגֶד בַּבְּגָדִ֔ים בַּבֶּ֕גֶד בַּבֶּגֶד֩ בַּבָּֽגֶד׃ בָּֽגֶד׃ בָֽגֶד׃ בֹּ֥גְדֵי בִּבְגָדָ֖יו בבגד בבגד׃ בבגדו בבגדי־ בבגדיהם׃ בבגדיו בבגדים בגד בגד־ בגד׃ בגדו בגדי בגדי־ בגדיה בגדיהם בגדיהם׃ בגדיו בגדיו׃ בגדיך בגדיכם בגדים בגדים׃ בגדינו בגדתיך הַבְּגָדִ֑ים הַבְּגָדִ֔ים הַבְּגָדִ֗ים הַבְּגָדִ֜ים הַבְּגָדִ֥ים הַבֶּ֔גֶד הַבֶּ֖גֶד הַבֶּ֙גֶד֙ הַבֶּ֜גֶד הבגד הבגדים וְהַבֶּ֕גֶד וְהַבֶּ֡גֶד וּ֝בְגָדָ֗יו וּבְגָדִ֔ים וּבְגָדִ֖ים וּבְגָדֶ֖יךָ וּבְגָדָ֔יו וּבְגָדָ֖יו וּבְגָדָ֣יו וּבִגְדֵ֖י וּבִגְדֵ֣י וּבִגְדֵ֤י וּבִגְדֵ֥י וּבִגְדֵיכֶ֤ם וּבֶ֤גֶד וּבֶ֥גֶד וּכְבֶ֥גֶד וּלְבִגְדֵ֖י ובגד ובגדי ובגדיו ובגדיך ובגדיכם ובגדים והבגד וכבגד ולבגדי כְּ֝בֶ֗גֶד כְּבֶ֣גֶד כַּבֶּ֣גֶד כַבֶּ֙גֶד֙ כבגד לְבֶ֔גֶד לבגד מִבְּגָדַ֗יִךְ מבגדיך bā·ḡeḏ ḇā·ḡeḏ bab·bā·ḡeḏ bab·bə·ḡā·ḏîm bab·be·ḡeḏ babBaged babbāḡeḏ babbegaDim babbəḡāḏîm babbeGed babbeḡeḏ Baged bāḡeḏ ḇāḡeḏ bə·ḇe·ḡeḏ ḇə·ḇiḡ·ḏê- bə·ḇiḡ·ḏê·hem bə·ḇiḡ·ḏōw bə·ḡā·ḏa·yiḵ bə·ḡā·ḏā·yiḵ bə·ḡā·ḏāw bə·ḡā·ḏay ḇə·ḡā·ḏay bə·ḡā·ḏe·hā bə·ḡā·ḏe·ḵā ḇə·ḡā·ḏe·ḵā bə·ḡā·ḏê·nū bə·ḡā·ḏîm ḇə·ḡā·ḏîm be·ḡeḏ ḇe·ḡeḏ ḇe·ḡeḏ- bəḇeḡeḏ ḇəḇiḡḏê- bəḇiḡḏêhem bəḇiḡḏōw begaDai begaDav bəḡāḏāw bəḡāḏay ḇəḡāḏay begaDayich bəḡāḏayiḵ bəḡāḏāyiḵ bəḡāḏehā begaDeicha begaDeiha begaDeinu bəḡāḏeḵā ḇəḡāḏeḵā bəḡāḏênū begaDim bəḡāḏîm ḇəḡāḏîm Beged beḡeḏ ḇeḡeḏ ḇeḡeḏ- beVeged bevigdeiHem bevigDo biḇ·ḡā·ḏāw biḇḡāḏāw biḡ·ḏê biḡ·ḏê- ḇiḡ·ḏê- biḡ·ḏê·hem ḇiḡ·ḏê·hem biḡ·ḏê·ḵem ḇiḡ·ḏê·ḵem biḡ·ḏî ḇiḡ·ḏî biḡ·ḏō·ṯe·ḵā biḡ·ḏōw ḇiḡ·ḏōw biḡḏê biḡḏê- ḇiḡḏê- biḡḏêhem ḇiḡḏêhem bigDei bigdeiChem bigdeiHem biḡḏêḵem ḇiḡḏêḵem bigDi biḡḏî ḇiḡḏî bigDo bigdoTeicha biḡḏōṯeḵā biḡḏōw ḇiḡḏōw bivgaDav bō·ḡə·ḏê bōḡəḏê Bogedei chabBeged hab·bə·ḡā·ḏîm hab·be·ḡeḏ habbegaDim habbəḡāḏîm habBeged habbeḡeḏ kab·be·ḡeḏ ḵab·be·ḡeḏ kabBeged kabbeḡeḏ ḵabbeḡeḏ kə·ḇe·ḡeḏ kəḇeḡeḏ keVeged lə·ḇe·ḡeḏ ləḇeḡeḏ leVeged mib·bə·ḡā·ḏa·yiḵ mibbegaDayich mibbəḡāḏayiḵ ū·ḇə·ḡā·ḏāw ū·ḇə·ḡā·ḏe·ḵā ū·ḇə·ḡā·ḏîm ū·ḇe·ḡeḏ ū·ḇiḡ·ḏê ū·ḇiḡ·ḏê·ḵem ū·ḵə·ḇe·ḡeḏ ū·lə·ḇiḡ·ḏê ūḇəḡāḏāw ūḇəḡāḏeḵā ūḇəḡāḏîm ūḇeḡeḏ ūḇiḡḏê ūḇiḡḏêḵem ucheVeged ūḵəḇeḡeḏ ūləḇiḡḏê ulevigDei uvegaDav uvegaDeicha uvegaDim uVeged uvigDei uvigdeiChem Vaged vegaDai vegaDeicha vegaDim Veged vehabBeged vevigdei vigdei vigdeiChem vigdeiHem vigDi vigDo wə·hab·be·ḡeḏ wəhabbeḡeḏ
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