Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "apron" refers to a garment or covering that served both practical and symbolic purposes. The concept of an apron appears in various contexts within the Scriptures, each reflecting different aspects of life and faith in ancient times.
Genesis 3:7The first mention of an apron in the Bible is found in
Genesis 3:7, following the fall of Adam and Eve. After eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve's eyes were opened, and they realized they were naked. In response, they sewed fig leaves together to make themselves aprons: "Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed together fig leaves and made coverings for themselves" . This act symbolizes the first human attempt to cover sin and shame, highlighting the immediate consequences of disobedience to God.
Acts 19:12In the New Testament, aprons are mentioned in the context of the Apostle Paul's ministry.
Acts 19:12 describes how God performed extraordinary miracles through Paul, to the extent that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were brought to the sick, and their illnesses were cured, and evil spirits left them: "So that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and the diseases and evil spirits left them" . This passage illustrates the power of God working through Paul, emphasizing the divine authority and miraculous nature of the apostolic ministry.
Symbolism and Cultural ContextIn the ancient Near Eastern culture, aprons were practical garments used for protection and modesty. They were often worn by laborers, artisans, and servants to protect their clothing while working. The biblical references to aprons, therefore, carry connotations of service, humility, and the human condition.
Theologically, the apron in Genesis signifies humanity's initial attempt to address sin through self-effort, contrasting with God's provision of garments made from animal skins (
Genesis 3:21), which foreshadows the necessity of divine intervention for true redemption. In Acts, the apron becomes a symbol of God's power and grace, demonstrating that healing and deliverance come through faith and the work of the Holy Spirit, not through human means.
ConclusionThe biblical references to aprons, though few, provide rich insights into the human experience and God's interaction with His creation. They serve as reminders of the need for divine grace and the transformative power of faith in the life of believers.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Found in the Authorized Version in
Genesis 3:7, of the bands of fig-leaves made by our first parents. In
Acts 19:12, it denotes the belt or half-girdle worn by artisans and servants round the waist for the purpose of preserving the clothing from injury. In marg. of Authorized Version,
Ruth 3:15, correctly rendered instead of "vail." (R.V., "mantle.")
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An article of dress, of cloth, leather, or other stuff, worn on the fore part of the body, to keep the clothes clean, to defend them from injury, or as a covering. It is commonly tied at the waist by strings.
2. (n.) Something which by its shape or use suggests an apron;
3. (n.) The fat skin covering the belly of a goose or duck.
4. (n.) A piece of leather, or other material, to be spread before a person riding on an outside seat of a vehicle, to defend him from the rain, snow, or dust; a boot.
5. (n.) A leaden plate that covers the vent of a cannon.
6. (n.) A piece of carved timber, just above the foremost end of the keel.
7. (n.) A platform, or flooring of plank, at the entrance of a dock, against which the dock gates are shut.
8. (n.) A flooring of plank before a dam to cause the water to make a gradual descent.
9. (n.) The piece that holds the cutting tool of a planer.
10. (n.) A strip of lead which leads the drip of a wall into a gutter; a flashing.
11. (n.) The infolded abdomen of a crab.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
APRONa'-prun: Appears only inGenesis 3:7 andActs 19:12 English Versions. English na-prun, North of England nap-peon, from Low Latin, through French nape, nappe, "napkin." The "n" was dropped owing to false division of the article a from the noun; thus "a napron" became "an apron:" InGenesis 3:7 it is used to translate a Hebrew word rendered "girdles" in Revised Version margin: "And they sewed fig-leaves together and made themselves aprons." InActs 19:12 simikinthia, stands for semicinctia, which is really a Latin word meaning "half-girdle," i.e. girdles going only half round the body and covering the front of the person: "Unto the sick were carried away from his (Paul's) body handkerchiefs (soudaria, rendered "napkins"Luke 19:20John 11:44;John 20:7) or aprons." The word denotes here, probably, a workman's apron, perhaps those of Paul himself; though it seems more natural to suppose that the people brought their own "handkerchiefs" or "aprons" to Paul to secure the miraculous effect desired. The garments, at any rate, were such as could be easily removed and carried back and forth. (See Rich, Dict. of Roman and Greek Ant, under the word, for illust.; also Pope's Lexicon, under the word).
George B. Eager
Greek
4612. simikinthion -- (a workman's)apron... 4611, 4612. simikinthion. 4613 . (a workman's)
apron. Part of
... Word Origin of
Latin origin Definition (a workman's)
apron NASB Word Usage aprons (1).
apron.
...3012. lention -- a linen cloth, a towel
... a linen cloth, a towel. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: lention Phonetic
Spelling: (len'-tee-on) Short Definition: a towel,apron Definition: a...
1463. egkomboomai -- to put on oneself (as a garment)
... Middle voice from en and komboo (to gird); to engirdle oneself (for labor), ie
Figuratively (theapron as being a badge of servitude) to wear (in token of...
Strong's Hebrew
2290. chagowr -- a belt, girdle... 2289, 2290. chagowr. 2290a . a belt, girdle. Transliteration: chagowr Phonetic
Spelling: (khag-ore') Short Definition:
apron.
apron, armor, girdle
...Library
The Slave's Girdle
... Some scholars think that it was a kind of whiteapron, or overall, or something
of that sort; others think that it was simply a scarf or girdle; but, at all...
The Noviceship
... meeting Stanislaus Kostka, would see a handsome, pleasant-looking Polish boy of
seventeen, with his sleeves rolled up above his elbows, with anapron over his...
Unbelievers Upbraided
... that would have developed and strengthened every muscle in his body; but, instead
of that, he was sitting down, tied to his mother'sapron strings, and so was...
Early Life
... A story is told that seeing a lame chicken she wrapped it in herapron and took
it home and bandaged its leg neatly, tending it with such devotion that she...
External Foes.
... They will say: "You can't get away from your mother, eh? Tied to your mother'sapron
strings!". But just you say: "Yes! I have some respect for my mother....
A Downward Step.
... With a fast-beating heart, she hastened to pick them all up; and, placing them
carefully in herapron, she hurried to the house, oft repeating to herself, "I...
Footnotes
... Then an old man, who had occasionally worked under Carey, had just died, and he
used to tell how Carey had once flipped him with hisapron when he had allowed...
On the Growth of the Soul. Its Maturity Coincident with the...
... of the eye, and communicates its pleasure to another, and understands the natural
relations between male and female, and wears the fig-treeapron to cover the...
The Little Match Girl
... and blue with the cold. In an oldapron she carried a number of matches,
and a bundle of them in her hand. No one had bought anything...
The Great Unknown Lack.
... He removed the strings and screws andapron, and called Ericsson's attention to
certain defects, asking about the scientific and acoustic principles involved...
Thesaurus
Apron (1 Occurrence)... It is commonly tied at the waist by strings. 2. (n.) Something which by its shape
or use suggests an
apron;
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
APRON.
...Vail (44 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (1.) Hebrews mitpahath (Ruth 3:15; marg., "sheet"
or "apron;" RV, "mantle"). In Isaiah 3:22 this word...
Veil (67 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (1.) Hebrews mitpahath (Ruth 3:15; marg., "sheet"
or "apron;" RV, "mantle"). In Isaiah 3:22 this word...
Lap (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The loose part of a coat; the lower part
of a garment that plays loosely; a skirt; anapron. 2...
Gore (9 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To cut in a triangular form; to piece with a gore; to provide with a gore;
as, to gore anapron. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GORE....
Waits (21 Occurrences)
... I tell you in solemn truth, that He will tie anapron round Him, and will bid
them recline at table while He comes and waits on them. (WEY)....
Tire (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Attire; apparel. 3. (n.) A covering for the head; a headdress. 4. (n.) A
child'sapron, covering the breast and having no sleeves; a pinafore; a tier....
Tie (18 Occurrences)
... I tell you in solemn truth, that He will tie anapron round Him, and will bid
them recline at table while He comes and waits on them. (WEY)....
Dress (38 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Materials used. The earliest and simplest anapron
of fig-leaves sewed together (Genesis 3:7); then skins of animals (3:21)....
Boot (1 Occurrence)
... stagecoach. 10. (n.) Anapron or cover (of leather or rubber cloth) for the
driving seat of a vehicle, to protect from rain and mud. 11....
Resources
What is a prayer closet? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about androgyny? | GotQuestions.orgApron: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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