In biblical times, the tunic was a fundamental garment worn by both men and women, serving as a basic piece of clothing in ancient Near Eastern cultures. The tunic, often referred to in Hebrew as "kethoneth" and in Greek as "chiton," was typically a simple, long shirt-like garment that extended to the knees or ankles. It was usually made of wool, linen, or a combination of both, and could be worn with or without a belt.

Old Testament References

The tunic is first mentioned in the context of Adam and Eve. After the Fall, God made garments of skin for them: "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them" (Genesis 3:21). This act of providing clothing is seen as a symbol of God's care and provision, even after the entrance of sin into the world.

Joseph's "coat of many colors" is another notable mention of a tunic. This special garment, given to him by his father Jacob, signified Jacob's favoritism and became a source of jealousy among Joseph's brothers: "Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So he made him a robe of many colors" (Genesis 37:3).

The tunic also played a role in the priestly garments described in Exodus. The priests were commanded to wear tunics as part of their sacred attire: "Make tunics, sashes, and headbands for Aaron’s sons, to give them glory and splendor" (Exodus 28:40). These tunics were made of fine linen, symbolizing purity and holiness.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, tunics are mentioned in the teachings of Jesus. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructed His followers on how to respond to those who wrong them: "If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well" (Matthew 5:40). This teaching emphasizes the principle of non-retaliation and the call to go beyond what is required in showing love and forgiveness.

John the Baptist also addressed the issue of sharing tunics as a sign of repentance and generosity: "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same" (Luke 3:11). This highlights the importance of compassion and charity in the life of a believer.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

The tunic, as a basic garment, often symbolizes modesty, humility, and the provision of God. It was a practical piece of clothing that served to cover and protect the body, reflecting the biblical principle of modesty. The tunic's simplicity also underscores the call to humility and contentment with one's material possessions.

In biblical culture, clothing often held symbolic meaning, representing one's status, role, or relationship with God. The tunic, as part of the priestly garments, signified the consecration and service of the priests to God. Similarly, the tunic given to Joseph symbolized his favored status and the special purpose God had for his life.

Overall, the tunic serves as a reminder of God's provision, the call to humility and modesty, and the importance of generosity and compassion in the life of a believer.5509. chiton -- a tunic
... Word Origin of Semitic origin, cf. kethoneth Definition a tunic NASB Word Usage
clothes (1), coats (1), garment (1), shirt (2), tunic (2), tunics (4). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5509.htm - 7k4595. maataphah -- an overtunic
... 4594, 4595. maataphah. 4596 . an overtunic. Transliteration: maataphah
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-at-aw-faw') Short Definition: tunics. ...
/hebrew/4595.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

Of the Tunics of the Egyptians.
... Of the Tunics of the Egyptians. ... 14. Cf. Sozomen lc: "They wore their tunics without
sleeves in order to teach that the hands ought not to be ready to do evil.". ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter iv of the tunics.htm

Epistle xii. To John, Bishop of Syracuse.
... usage of the Church. But it pleased one of our pontiffs, I know not which,
to order them to proceed in linen tunics. For have your ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xii to john bishop 2.htm

Of the Holy Men who Flourished About this Time in Egypt, Namely ...
... cause. They wore their tunics without sleeves, in order to teach that the
hands ought not to be ready to do presumptuous evil. They ...
/.../sozomen/the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xiv of the holy men.htm

Now the Saints of Ancient Times Were, under the Form of an Earthly ...
... For as it was disgraceful among the ancient Romans to wear tunics reaching to the
heels, and furnished with sleeves, but now it is disgraceful for men ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 20 now the saints.htm

Rule for Interpreting those Sayings and Actions which are Ascribed ...
... For as it was disgraceful among the ancient Romans to wear tunics reaching to the
heels, and furnished with sleeves, but now it is disgraceful for men ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 12 rule for interpreting those.htm

The Aprons which Adam and Eve Wore.
... For they did not use for themselves tunics to cover their whole bodies after their
sin, but aprons, [2596] which some of the less careful of our translators ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 32 xvi the aprons which.htm

Ascetic.
... shewn by the words of Genesis, [549] where God is said to have made Adam and Eve
"coats of skins," or, as in the LXX., chitonas dermatinous, ie tunics of hides ...
//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/iii ascetic.htm

On Clothes.
... On the other hand, the archons of the Athenians, who affected a polished mode of
life, forgetting their manhood, wore tunics reaching to the feet, and had on ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi name clothes.htm

A Foreshadowing
... On the shore, at a little distance, a group of boys were playing, their bare
legs and white tunics flashing hither and thither as they ran. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 1 a foreshadowing.htm

Time Changes Nations' Dresses --And Fortunes.
... Still, you too of old time wore your garments"your tunics"of another shape; and
indeed they were in repute for the skill of the weft, and the harmony of ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter i time changes nations dressesand.htm

Tunics (16 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tunics (16 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Mark 6:9 but
to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics. (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/t/tunics.htm - 10k

Tunic (24 Occurrences)
... worthy of his food. (See RSV NIV). Mark 6:9 but to wear sandals, and not
put on two tunics. (Root in WEB NAS RSV NIV). Luke 6:29 To ...
/t/tunic.htm - 13k

Tunnel (2 Occurrences)

/t/tunnel.htm - 8k

Wallets (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wallets (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 3:22 the festival-robes,
and the tunics, and the mantles, and the wallets; (DBY). ...
/w/wallets.htm - 6k

Wear (56 Occurrences)
... houses. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Mark 6:9 but to wear
sandals, and not put on two tunics. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/wear.htm - 25k

Festival-robes (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Festival-robes (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 3:22 the
festival-robes, and the tunics, and the mantles, and the wallets; (DBY). ...
/f/festival-robes.htm - 7k

Turbans (6 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:21 Then these men have been bound in their coats, their tunics, and their
turbans, and their clothing, and have been cast into the midst of the ...
/t/turbans.htm - 8k

Mantles (5 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:21 Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles,
and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning ...
/m/mantles.htm - 7k

Priestly (16 Occurrences)
... their ability into the treasury of the work threescore and one thousand darics of
gold, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one hundred priests' tunics. ...
/p/priestly.htm - 11k

Pants (4 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:21 Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles,
and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning ...
/p/pants.htm - 7k

What were the chief priests? | GotQuestions.org

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