Topical Bible: Coat

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the term "coat" refers to a garment that was an essential part of daily attire, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. The coat, often referred to as a tunic or robe, was a basic piece of clothing worn by men and women alike, typically made from wool, linen, or other available materials. It was a versatile garment, providing warmth, modesty, and sometimes indicating social or religious status.

Old Testament References

The coat is first mentioned in the context of Adam and Eve. After the Fall, God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, providing them with clothing (Genesis 3:21). This act signifies God's provision and care, even after the entrance of sin into the world.

Joseph's "coat of many colors" is one of the most famous references to a coat in the Old Testament. This special garment, given to Joseph by his father Jacob, symbolized Jacob's favoritism towards him, which incited jealousy and hatred among his brothers (Genesis 37:3). The coat played a pivotal role in the narrative of Joseph's life, as it was used by his brothers to deceive their father into believing Joseph had been killed by a wild animal (Genesis 37:31-33).

In the priestly context, coats were part of the sacred garments worn by the priests. Exodus 28:4 lists the coat as one of the garments for Aaron and his sons, signifying their consecration and service in the tabernacle. The coat, along with other priestly garments, was made with specific instructions, highlighting the importance of holiness and purity in worship.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, coats are mentioned in various contexts, often reflecting the customs and social practices of the time. Jesus, in His teachings, referred to coats in the context of generosity and non-retaliation. In Matthew 5:40 , He instructed, "If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well." This teaching emphasizes the call to go beyond what is required, demonstrating love and selflessness.

The soldiers who crucified Jesus cast lots for His garments, including His seamless tunic, fulfilling the prophecy found in Psalm 22:18 (John 19:23-24). This act underscores the fulfillment of Scripture and the humiliation Christ endured for humanity's redemption.

Symbolism and Significance

Coats in the Bible often carry symbolic meanings. They can represent authority, as seen in the case of Joseph, or humility and service, as demonstrated by Jesus' teachings. The act of giving or receiving a coat can symbolize covenant relationships, protection, or the transfer of authority.

In a broader spiritual sense, the concept of being "clothed" is used metaphorically in Scripture to describe the righteousness and salvation provided by God. Isaiah 61:10 states, "I will rejoice greatly in the LORD; my soul will exult in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness."

Overall, the coat serves as a multifaceted symbol throughout the Bible, reflecting God's provision, human relationships, and spiritual truths.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Coat

[DRESS]

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Coat

The tunic worn like the shirt next the skin (Leviticus 16:4; Cant. 5:3; 2 Samuel 15:32; Exodus 28:4; 29:5). The "coats of skins" prepared by God for Adam and Eve were probably nothing more than aprons (Genesis 3:21). This tunic was sometimes woven entire without a seam (John 19:23); it was also sometimes of "many colours" (Genesis 37:3; R.V. marg., "a long garment with sleeves"). The "fisher's coat" of John 21:7 was obviously an outer garment or cloak, as was also the "coat" made by Hannah for Samuel (1 Samuel 2:19). (see DRESS.)

Coat of mail

The rendering of a Hebrew word meaning "glittering" (1 Samuel 17:5, 38). The same word in the plural form is translated "habergeons" in 2 Chronicles 26:14 and Nehemiah 4:16. The "harness" (1 Kings 22:34), "breastplate" (Isaiah 59:17), and "brigandine" (Jeremiah 46:4), were probably also corselets or coats of mail. (see ARMOUR.)

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) An outer garment fitting the upper part of the body; especially, such a garment worn by men.

2. (n.) A petticoat.

3. (n.) The habit or vesture of an order of men, indicating the order or office; cloth.

4. (n.) An external covering like a garment, as fur, skin, wool, husk, or bark; as, the horses coats were sleek.

5. (n.) A layer of any substance covering another; a cover; a tegument; as, the coats of the eye; the coats of an onion; a coat of tar or varnish.

6. (n.) Same as Coat of arms. See below.

7. (n.) A coat card. See below.

8. (v. t.) To cover with a coat or outer garment.

9. (v. t.) To cover with a layer of any substance; as, to coat a jar with tin foil; to coat a ceiling.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

COAT OF MAIL

mal.

See ARMOR, ARMS; BRIGANDINE.

FISHER'S COAT

kot: This expression is found in John 21:7 where the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version have "coat." John here, after representing Peter as "naked" (gumnos), pictures him as girding on his "coat" (ependutes), literally, "upper garment," and not at all specifically a "fisher's coat."

See DRESS.

COAT

kot.

See CLOAK; DRESS, etc.

Greek

1903. ependutes -- an outer tunic
... an outer tunic. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: ependutes Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-en-doo'-tace) Short Definition: a coat, outer wrap Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1903.htm - 6k

5509. chiton -- a tunic
... tunic, coat. Of foreign origin (kthoneth); a tunic or shirt -- clothes, coat, garment.
see HEBREW kthoneth. (chiton) -- 1 Occurrence. (chitona) -- 4 Occurrences ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5509.htm - 7k

2440. himation -- an outer garment, a cloak, robe
... form of heima (a garment) Definition an outer garment, a cloak, robe NASB Word Usage
cloak (8), cloaks (1), clothes (1), clothing (2), coat (4), coats (8 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2440.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

2902. tuach -- to overspread, overlay, coat, besmear
... tuach. 2903 . to overspread, overlay, coat, besmear. Transliteration: tuach Phonetic
Spelling: (too'-akh) Short Definition: over. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2902.htm - 6k

3801. kethoneth -- a tunic
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a tunic NASB Word Usage coat (2), dress
(1), garment (2), garments (4), tunic (14), tunics (6). coat, garment, robe. ...
/hebrew/3801.htm - 6k

4598. meil -- a robe
... cloak, coat, mantle, robe. From ma'al in the sense of covering; a robe (ie Upper
and outer garment) -- cloke, coat, mantle, robe. see HEBREW ma'al. 4597, 4598 ...
/hebrew/4598.htm - 6k

8302. shiryon -- body armor
... armor (1), breastplate (1), breastplates (1). breastplate, coat of mail,
habergeon, harness. Or shiryon {shir-yone'}; and shiryan ...
/hebrew/8302.htm - 6k

5622. sarbal -- probably a mantle
... Word Usage trousers (2). coat. (Aramaic) of uncertain derivation; a cloak --
coat. 5621, 5622. sarbal. 5623 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5622.htm - 5k

7874. sid -- to whitewash
sid or sud. 7873, 7874. sid or sud. 7875 . to whitewash. Transliteration:
sid or sud Phonetic Spelling: (seed) Short Definition: coat. ...
/hebrew/7874.htm - 6k

8473. tachra -- a corselet
... Definition: mail. Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a corselet
NASB Word Usage coat of mail (2). Tahpenes. From charah ...
/hebrew/8473.htm - 6k

7193. qasqeseth -- scale (of fish)
... By reduplication from an unused root meaning to shale off as bark; a scale (of a
fish); hence a coat of mail (as composed of or covered with jointed plates of ...
/hebrew/7193.htm - 6k

5630. siryon -- armor
... armor (2). brigandine. For shiryown; a coat of mail -- brigandine. see HEBREW
shiryown. 5629, 5630. siryon. 5631 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5630.htm - 6k

Library

The Story of Joseph and his Coat of Many Colors
... THE STORY OF JOSEPH AND HIS COAT OF MANY COLORS. ... Jacob gave to Joseph a robe or coat
of bright colors, made somewhat like a long cloak with wide sleeves. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of joseph and.htm

I have Put Off My Coat; How Shall I Put it On? I have Washed My ...
... CHAPTER V. 3. I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed
my feet; how shall I defile them? The Spouse perceiving ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/3 i have put off.htm

John Chapter xix. 23, 24
... "Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Him, took His garments, and made four
parts, to every soldier a part; and also His coat: now the coat was without ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxviii john chapter xix.htm

Joseph and his Brethren
... Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son
of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

Joseph Sold as a Slave by his Brothers
... to their father. Now Jacob loved his son Joseph, who was born in his old
age; and he made him a long coat with sleeves. When his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/joseph sold as a slave.htm

The Story of Joseph
... [Illustration: The coat of many colours.]. ... While the brothers wore the ordinary
shepherd clothing, Joseph had a beautiful coat of many colours. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/joseph the dreamer/the story of joseph.htm

Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren
... sin. Israel loved Joseph above all his sons for as much as he had gotten
him in his old age, and made for him a motley coat. His ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the history of 2.htm

Joseph and his Brethren.
... Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other sons, and made him a coat of many colours;
but his elder brothers hated him, and one day, when far away from home ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/joseph and his brethren.htm

Sun and Wind
... SUN AND WIND. Once upon a time, according to an old fable, the sun and the northwind
had a contest to see which could take a man's coat off the more quickly. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/sun and wind.htm

How Joseph was Thus Sold by his Brethren into Egypt, by Reason of ...
... Now they had taken away from Joseph the coat which he had on when he came to them
at the time they let him down into the pit; so they thought proper to tear ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how joseph was.htm

Thesaurus

Coat (54 Occurrences)
...Coat. ... The "fisher's coat" of John 21:7 was obviously an outer garment or cloak, as
was also the "coat" made by Hannah for Samuel (1 Samuel 2:19). (see DRESS.). ...
/c/coat.htm - 25k

Body-coat (2 Occurrences)
Body-coat. Body-armour, Body-coat. Body-coats . Multi-Version
Concordance Body-coat (2 Occurrences). Luke 6:29 To him ...
/b/body-coat.htm - 7k

Tunic (24 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tunic (24 Occurrences). Matthew 5:40 If anyone sues you
to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. (See NIV). ...
/t/tunic.htm - 13k

Mail (11 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Mail, Coat of. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. COAT
OF MAIL. mal. See ARMOR, ARMS; BRIGANDINE. MAIL. mal. See ARMOR. ...
/m/mail.htm - 11k

Woven (40 Occurrences)
... (DBY). John 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments
and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat. ...
/w/woven.htm - 19k

Varicolored (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was
the son of his old age, and he made him a coat of many colors. (See NAS). ...
/v/varicolored.htm - 7k

Fisher's (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia FISHER'S COAT. kot: This expression is
found in John 21:7 where the Revised Version (British and ...
/f/fisher's.htm - 7k

Cloth (57 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:36 And he said to them, in a story, No man takes a bit of cloth from a new
coat and puts it on to an old coat, for so the new coat would be damaged and ...
/c/cloth.htm - 24k

Sleeves (4 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was
the son of his old age, and he made him a coat of many colors. (See RSV). ...
/s/sleeves.htm - 7k

Bit (46 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 9:16 And no man puts a bit of new cloth on an old coat, for
by pulling away from the old, it makes a worse hole. (BBE). ...
/b/bit.htm - 24k

Resources

Why did Jacob give Joseph a coat of many colors? | GotQuestions.org

Was Goliath one of the Nephilim? | GotQuestions.org

Who had red hair in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Coat: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Coat (54 Occurrences)

Matthew 5:40
If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Matthew 9:16
And no man puts a bit of new cloth on an old coat, for by pulling away from the old, it makes a worse hole.
(BBE)

Matthew 24:18
And let not him who is in the field go back to get his coat.
(BBE)

Mark 2:21
No man puts a bit of new cloth on an old coat: or the new, by pulling away from the old, makes a worse hole.
(BBE)

Mark 10:50
And he, putting off his coat, got up quickly, and came to Jesus.
(BBE)

Mark 13:16
And let not him who is in the field go back to take his coat.
(BBE NAS)

Luke 5:36
And he said to them, in a story, No man takes a bit of cloth from a new coat and puts it on to an old coat, for so the new coat would be damaged and the bit from the new would not go well with the old.
(BBE)

Luke 6:29
To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don't withhold your coat also.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Luke 15:22
"But the father said to his servants, "'Fetch a good coat quickly--the best one--and put it on him; and bring a ring for his finger and shoes for his feet.
(WEY)

Luke 22:36
And he said to them, But now, he who has a money-bag, or a bag for food, let him take it: and he who has not, let him give his coat for money and get a sword.
(BBE NAS)

John 19:23
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

John 21:7
That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It's the Lord!" So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around him (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Acts 12:8
Then the angel said, Put on your shoes and get ready to go. And he did so. And he said, Put your coat round you and come with me.
(BBE)

2 Timothy 4:13
The coat which I did not take from Troas and which is with Carpus, get when you come, and the books, specially the papers.
(BBE)

Jude 1:23
and some in fear save ye, out of the fire snatching, hating even the coat from the flesh spotted.
(YLT)

Genesis 6:14
Make a ship of gopher wood. You shall make rooms in the ship, and shall seal it inside and outside with pitch.
(See NIV)

Genesis 37:3
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age, and he made him a coat of many colors.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT)

Genesis 37:23
It happened, when Joseph came to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his coat, the coat of many colors that was on him;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT)

Genesis 37:31
They took Joseph's coat, and killed a male goat, and dipped the coat in the blood.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT)

Genesis 37:32
They took the coat of many colors, and they brought it to their father, and said, "We have found this. Examine it, now, whether it is your son's coat or not."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT)

Genesis 37:33
He recognized it, and said, "It is my son's coat. An evil animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn in pieces."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT)

Genesis 39:12
And pulling at his coat, she said, Come to my bed; but slipping out of his coat, he went running away.
(BBE)

Genesis 39:13
And when she saw that he had got away, letting her keep his coat,
(BBE)

Genesis 39:15
And hearing it he went running out without his coat.
(BBE)

Genesis 39:16
And she kept his coat by her, till his master came back.
(BBE)

Genesis 39:18
And when I gave a loud cry he went running out without his coat.
(BBE)

Exodus 28:4
These are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, and his sons, that he may minister to me in the priest's office.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 28:32
It shall have a hole for the head in its midst: it shall have a binding of woven work around its hole, as it were the hole of a coat of mail, that it not be torn.
(WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS)

Exodus 28:39
You shall weave the coat in checker work of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash, the work of the embroiderer.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 29:5
You shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the coat, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and dress him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod;
(WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 39:23
The opening of the robe in its midst was like the opening of a coat of mail, with a binding around its opening, that it should not be torn.
(WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS)

Leviticus 8:7
He put the coat on him, tied the sash on him, clothed him with the robe, put the ephod on him, and he tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod on him, and fastened it to him with it.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 16:4
He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and he shall be dressed with the linen turban. They are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water, and put them on.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 27:2
And on the day when you go over Jordan into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, put up great stones, coating them with building-paste,
(Root in BBE NAS NIV)

Deuteronomy 27:4
And when you have gone over Jordan, you are to put up these stones, as I have said to you today, in Mount Ebal, and have them coated with building-paste.
(Root in BBE NAS NIV)

1 Samuel 2:19
Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

1 Samuel 17:5
He had a helmet of brass on his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 17:38
Saul dressed David with his clothing. He put a helmet of brass on his head, and he clad him with a coat of mail.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 17:39
And David took Saul's sword and put the band round him over the metal coat, and was unable to go forward; for he was not used to them. Then David said to Saul, It is not possible for me to go out with these, for I am not used to them. So David took them off.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 13:18
-- and upon her 'is' a long coat, for such upper robes do daughters of the king who 'are' virgins put on, -- and his servant taketh her out without, and hath bolted the door after her.
(YLT)

2 Samuel 13:19
And Tamar taketh ashes for her head, and the long coat that 'is' on her she hath rent, and putteth her hand on her head, and goeth, going on and crying;
(YLT)

2 Samuel 15:32
It happened that when David had come to the top of the ascent, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn, and earth on his head.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

2 Samuel 20:8
When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came before them. And Joab was girded with his coat, his dress, and upon it was the girdle of the sword which was fastened on his loins in its sheath; and as he went forth it fell out.
(DBY)

2 Kings 1:8
And they said in answer, He was a man clothed in a coat of hair, with a leather band about his body. Then he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
(BBE)

Job 30:18
By great force is my garment disfigured. It binds me about as the collar of my coat.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Job 41:13
Who has ever taken off his outer skin? who may come inside his inner coat of iron?
(BBE RSV NIV)

Psalms 102:26
They will come to an end, but you will still go on; they all will become old like a coat, and like a robe they will be changed:
(BBE)

Psalms 109:18
He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment. It came into his inward parts like water, like oil into his bones.
(See RSV)

Song of Songs 5:3
I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?
(KJV JPS BBE WBS YLT)

Isaiah 22:21
And I have clothed him with thy coat, And with thy girdle I strengthen him, And thy garment I give into his hand, And he hath been for a father to the inhabitant of Jerusalem, And to the house of Judah.
(YLT)

Isaiah 51:6
Let your eyes be lifted up to the heavens, and turned to the earth which is under them: for the heavens will go in flight like smoke, and the earth will become old like a coat, and its people will come to destruction like insects: but my salvation will be for ever, and my righteousness will not come to an end.
(BBE)

Isaiah 51:8
For like a coat they will be food for the insect, the worm will make a meal of them like wool: but my righteousness will be for ever, and my salvation to all generations.
(BBE)

Isaiah 59:17
And he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a mantle.
(See JPS)

Jeremiah 51:3
Against him who bends let the archer bend his bow, and against him who lifts himself up in his coat of mail: and don't spare her young men; utterly destroy all her army.
(WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Subtopics

Coat

Coat of Mail

Coat of Mail: General Scriptures Concerning

Related Terms

Body-coat (2 Occurrences)

Tunic (24 Occurrences)

Mail (11 Occurrences)

Woven (40 Occurrences)

Varicolored (3 Occurrences)

Fisher's (1 Occurrence)

Cloth (57 Occurrences)