Topical Encyclopedia
A cloak in biblical times was a significant garment, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. It was typically a loose outer garment, often made of wool, that provided protection against the elements. The cloak is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, reflecting its importance in daily life and its symbolic meanings.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, the cloak is often associated with authority and prophetic office. For instance, Elijah's cloak is a notable symbol of his prophetic authority. In
1 Kings 19:19, Elijah throws his cloak over Elisha, signifying the transfer of his prophetic role: "So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him."
The cloak also served as a pledge or collateral in financial transactions. In
Exodus 22:26-27, the law provides protection for the poor by requiring the return of a cloak taken as a pledge before sunset: "If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate."
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the cloak continues to hold practical and symbolic significance. Jesus refers to the cloak in His teachings, emphasizing the principle of non-retaliation and generosity. In
Matthew 5:40, He instructs, "If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well." This teaching underscores the call to go beyond what is required, demonstrating a spirit of love and selflessness.
The cloak also appears in the context of healing and faith. In
Mark 10:50, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, throws aside his cloak when Jesus calls him, symbolizing his faith and readiness to receive healing: "Throwing aside his cloak, Bartimaeus jumped up and came to Jesus."
Additionally, the Apostle Paul mentions a cloak in a personal request in
2 Timothy 4:13, highlighting its practical necessity: "When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments."
Symbolism and Cultural ContextThe cloak often symbolizes protection, authority, and identity. In ancient cultures, a person's cloak was a valuable possession, sometimes used as a blanket at night. The act of tearing one's cloak was a sign of mourning or distress, as seen in the actions of Job (
Job 1:20) and others.
In the broader cultural context, the cloak was a versatile garment, essential for travel and daily life. It was often made from heavy materials to provide warmth and could be used to carry belongings.
ConclusionThe cloak in biblical times was more than just a piece of clothing; it was a symbol of authority, a practical necessity, and a representation of one's identity and status. Its presence in both the Old and New Testaments highlights its enduring significance in the biblical narrative.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
An upper garment, "an exterior tunic, wide and long, reaching to the ankles, but without sleeves" (
Isaiah 59:17). The word so rendered is elsewhere rendered "robe" or "mantle." It was worn by the high priest under the ephod (
Exodus 28:31), by kings and others of rank (
1 Samuel 15:27;
Job 1:20;
2:12), and by women (
2 Samuel 13:18).
The word translated "cloke", i.e., outer garment, inMatthew 5:40 is in its plural form used of garments in general (Matthew 17:2;26:65). The cloak mentioned here and inLuke 6:29 was the Greek himation, Latin pallium, and consisted of a large square piece of wollen cloth fastened round the shoulders, like the abba of the Arabs. This could be taken by a creditor (Exodus 22:26, 27), but the coat or tunic (Gr. chiton) mentioned inMatthew 5:40 could not.
The cloak which Paul "left at Troas" (2 Timothy 4:13) was the Roman paenula, a thick upper garment used chiefly in travelling as a protection from the weather. Some, however, have supposed that what Paul meant was a travelling-bag. In the Syriac version the word used means a bookcase. (seeDress.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A loose outer garment, extending from the neck downwards, and commonly without sleeves. It is longer than a cape, and is worn both by men and by women.
2. (n.) That which conceals; a disguise or pretext; an excuse; a fair pretense; a mask; a cover.
3. (v. t.) To cover with, or as with, a cloak; hence, to hide or conceal.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CLOAK; CLOKEklok, (me`il, simlah, etc.; himation, stole, etc.): "Cloke" is retained in the English Revised Version, as in the King James Version, instead of modern "cloak" (American Revised Version). In the Old Testament, me'il (compare New Testament himation) uniformly stands for the ordinary upper garment worn over the coat (kethoneth). InMatthew 5:40 both "cloak" and "coat" are mentioned together; compareLuke 6:29. In size and material the "cloak" differed according to age and sex, class and occupation, but in shape it was like our mantle or shawl. It might be sewed up to have the surplice form of the robe of the Ephod (Exodus 39:23), or be worn loose and open like a Roman toga, the Arabic Abaa, or the Geneva gown. This is the "garment" referred to inGenesis 39:12Exodus 22:26Deuteronomy 24:13; "the robe" that Jonathan "stripped himself of" and gave to David (1 Samuel 18:4); "the robe" of Saul, "the robe" in which it is said the "old man" (Samuel) was "covered" (1 Samuel 28:14); and in the New Testament "the best robe" put on the returning prodigal (Luke 15:22). Paul's "cloak" that he left at Troas (2 Timothy 4:13; phailones, Latin, paenula, Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek phelones), it has been suggested, "may have been a light mantle like a cashmere dust-cloak, in which the books and parchment were wrapped"
(HDB, under the word).
Figuratively: The word lent itself easily and naturally to figurative uses. We find Paul (1 Thessalonians 2:5) disclaiming using "a cloak of covetousness" (compare1 Peter 2:16) and Jesus (John 15:22) saying, "Now they have no excuse ("cloak") for their sin." Some such usage seems common to all languages; compare English "palliate."
SeeDRESS.
George B. Eager
Greek
5511. chlamus -- a chlamys or shortcloak... a chlamys or short
cloak. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: chlamus
Phonetic Spelling: (khlam-ooce') Short Definition: a short
cloak Definition: a
...5315b. phailones -- acloak
... phailones. 5316 . acloak. Transliteration: phailones Short Definition:cloak.
Word Origin for phainoles (acloak) Definition acloak NASB Word Usagecloak (1...
5341. phelones --cloak.
... 5340, 5341. phelones. 5342 .cloak. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine...cloak
Definition: a mantle,cloak. Word Origin see phailones.cloak....
2440. himation -- an outer garment, acloak, robe
... an outer garment, acloak, robe. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: himation
Phonetic Spelling: (him-at'-ee-on) Short Definition: outer garment...
1942. epikalumma -- a cover, veil
... veil. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: epikalumma Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-kal'-oo-mah) Short Definition: a covering,cloak, pretext Definition: a...
4210. porphurous -- purple
... Hence, giving Jesus acloak, Him as someone merely to be a. [This garment was
perhaps a discarded officers'cloak that had been dyed purple.]....
5509. chiton -- a tunic
... 5509 -- a tunic (under-garment) worn next to the skin. 5509 ("an undershirt, tunic")
was worn under a 2440 ("cloak, robe"). Word Origin of Semitic origin, cf....
4018. peribolaion -- that which is thrown around, a covering
... peribolaion Phonetic Spelling: (per-ib-ol'-ah-yon) Short Definition: a wrapper,
mantle, veil Definition: a wrapper, mantle, veil,cloak, covering....
Strong's Hebrew
4304. mitpachath -- acloak... 4303, 4304. mitpachath. 4305 . a
cloak. Transliteration: mitpachath
Phonetic Spelling: (mit-pakh'-ath) Short Definition:
cloak.
...145. eder -- glory, magnificence, a mantle,cloak
... 144, 145. eder. 146 . glory, magnificence, a mantle,cloak. Transliteration:
eder Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-der) Short Definition: magnificent....
155. addereth -- glory, acloak
... 154, 155. addereth. 156 . glory, acloak. Transliteration: addereth
Phonetic Spelling: (ad-deh'-reth) Short Definition: mantle....
4598. meil -- a robe
... robe. Word Origin from maal Definition a robe NASB Word Usage mantle (1),
robe (23), robes (2).cloak, coat, mantle, robe. From ma...
8008. salmah -- a wrapper, mantle
... Word Origin from simlah (by transposition) Definition a wrapper, mantle NASB Word
Usagecloak (5), clothes (6), clothing (1), garment (1), garments (3), robe...
8071. simlah -- a wrapper, mantle
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a wrapper, mantle NASB Word Usagecloak
(4), cloth (1), clothes (9), clothing (5), garment (5), garments (5)....
4595. maataphah -- an overtunic
... Word Origin from ataph Definition an overtunic NASB Word Usage outer tunics (1).
mantle. From ataph; acloak -- mantle. see HEBREW ataph. 4594, 4595....
5622. sarbal -- probably a mantle
... Word Usage trousers (2). coat. (Aramaic) of uncertain derivation; acloak --
coat. 5621, 5622. sarbal. 5623 . Strong's Numbers.
4055. mad -- a measure, cloth garment
... Word Origin from madad Definition a measure, cloth garment NASB Word Usage armor
(2), attire* (1), carpets (1),cloak (1), clothes (1), garment (1), garments (1...
Library
How Jesus Carried Water in aCloak.
... Chapter IX."How Jesus Carried Water in aCloak.... And He took thecloak which He had
on, and filled it with water, and carried it to His mother Mary....
Heretics Usually Cover their Doctrines with aCloak of Holy...
... Book VII. Chapter VII. Heretics usually cover their doctrines with acloak
of holy Scripture. "For as," you say, "by man came death...
The Revolt of Babylon.
... of discontent."Preparations of the Babylonians for revolt."Their secrecy."Time chosen
for revolt."Story of Syloson."Syloson's redcloak."He gives...
2 Timothy iv. 13-Sep
... Ephesus. Thecloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring
with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments."....
Elucidations.
... the modius seen on the heads of the ancient statues of Serapis and Osiris, their
long beards and pale complexions, and their black flowingcloak,"a relic, no...
Christ Appears to St. Martin.
... Yet, what should he do? He had nothing except thecloak in which he was clad, for
he had already parted with the rest of his garments for similar purposes....
Of Arsenius, and his Hand which was Said to have Been Cut Off.
... Arsenius? and several having answered that they knew him, he caused Arsenius
to be introduced, having his hands covered by hiscloak....
Personal Notes: Relics Nearby that the Three Kings had Given to...
... Catherine Emmerich: No, in the pilgrim's house (her usual name for the writer).
They are in a little bundle. The piece of thecloak is faded....
Annas and Caiaphas, Summas and Datam, Gamaliel, Judas, Levi...
... And the runner, going out and recognising Him, adored Him, and spread on the ground
thecloak which he carried in his hand, saying: My lord, walk upon this...
Having Called a Council, the High Priests and Scribes Annas and...
... And the runner going out, and recognising Him, adored Him, and took hiscloak into
his hand, and spread it on the ground, and says to him: My lord, walk on this...
Thesaurus
Cloak (73 Occurrences)... The
cloak mentioned here and in Luke 6:29 was the Greek himation, Latin pallium,
and consisted of a large square piece of wollen cloth fastened round the
...Cloke (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n. & v.) SeeCloak. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CLOAK; CLOKE. klok, (me`il, simlah, etc.; himation...
Mantle (35 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A loose garment to be worn over other garments; an enveloping robe; acloak....
Mark 10:50 He, casting away hiscloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus....
Parchments (1 Occurrence)
... Paul directs Timothy that, when he comes from Ephesus to Rome, he is to bring "the
books, especially the parchments." These, as well as the "cloak," which is...
Coat (54 Occurrences)
... The "fisher's coat" of John 21:7 was obviously an outer garment orcloak, as was
also the "coat" made by Hannah for Samuel (1 Samuel 2:19). (see DRESS.)....
Inside (185 Occurrences)
... Exodus 4:6 Yahweh said furthermore to him, "Now put your hand inside yourcloak."
He put his hand inside hiscloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand...
Crimson (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Crimson (10 Occurrences). Matthew 27:28 Stripping off
His garments, they put on Him a general's short crimsoncloak. (WEY YLT)....
Carpus (1 Occurrence)
... kar'-pus (Karpos): A name but once mentioned in the New Testament (2 Timothy 4:13),
"thecloak that I left at Troas with Carpus." These words were written from...
Belt (32 Occurrences)
... him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his
cloak, and buy a sword. (See NAS). Acts 21:11 Coming to us...
Garments (232 Occurrences)
... behold, now ye have heard the blasphemy: (ASV YLT). Matthew 27:28 Stripping off
His garments, they put on Him a general's short crimsoncloak. (WEY)....
Resources
What can we learn from the account of Potiphar's wife? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the Lady of Guadalupe? Were the apparitions of Mary at Guadalupe real? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Elisha in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgCloak: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
