Word study
Cloth
11 Hebrew and 15 Greek words behind this English word
The original-language words that the Berean Standard Bible translates with one of these: clothes, clothing, clothed, cloth, cloths. English often uses one word where Hebrew or Greek has several, each with its own shade of meaning. Under each word are verses where it is translated this way; choose the word itself for its full study: every verse, how else it is translated, the forms it takes and what the dictionaries say.
At a glance
How often each original word is translated “cloth” or one of its forms.
Compare the Hebrew words side by side Compare the Greek words side by side
Hebrew and Aramaic words (Old Testament)
- בֶּגֶד begedtreacherytranslated this way 101 times of its 213 uses · Strong’s H899Noun · Translated: clothes 76, garments 61, clothing 16, garment 13Full study and all 189 verses →
Genesis 24:53 Then he brought out jewels of silver and gold, and articles of clothing, and he gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother.
Leviticus 6:11 Then he must take off his garments, put on other clothes, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a ceremonially clean place.
- לָבַשׁ lâbashput on (a garment), wear, clothe, be clothedtranslated this way 31 times of its 109 uses · Strong’s H3847Verb · Translated: clothed 28, put 22, wear 13, clothe 12Full study and all 102 verses →
Genesis 3:21 And the LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them.
Leviticus 8:7 He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He tied the woven band of the ephod around him and fastened it to him.
- שִׂמְלָה simlâhwrapper, mantletranslated this way 20 times of its 28 uses · Strong’s H8071Noun · Translated: clothes 9, clothing 8, cloak 3, garment 2Full study and all 27 verses →
Genesis 37:34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days.
Exodus 3:22 Every woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry and clothing, and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.”
- לְבוּשׁ lebûshgarment, clothing, raimenttranslated this way 12 times of its 32 uses · Strong’s H3830Noun · Translated: clothing 7, garments 4, robe 4, garment 3Full study and all 32 verses →
Job 24:7 Without clothing, they spend the night naked; they have no covering against the cold.
Psalm 22:18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
- שַׂלְמָה salmâhid.translated this way 8 times of its 16 uses · Strong’s H8008Noun · Translated: cloak 4, clothes 4, clothing 3Full study and all 16 verses →
Deuteronomy 29:5 For forty years I led you in the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out.
Joshua 9:5 They put worn, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies, and their whole supply of bread was dry and moldy.
- לְבַשׁ lebashbe clothedtranslated this way 3 times of its 3 uses · Strong’s H3848Verb · Translated: clothed 3Full study and all 3 verses →
Daniel 5:7 The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
Daniel 5:16 But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
- מַלְבּוּשׁ malbûshraiment, attiretranslated this way 2 times of its 8 uses · Strong’s H4403Noun · Translated: attire 3, garments 1, wardrobe 1, clothes 1Full study and all 7 verses →
Isaiah 63:3 “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained.
Ezekiel 16:13 So you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was made of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil. You became very beautiful and rose to be queen.
- לְבוּשׁ lebûshgarmenttranslated this way 2 times of its 2 uses · Strong’s H3831Noun · Translated: other clothes 1, clothing 1Full study and all 2 verses →
Daniel 3:21 So they were tied up, wearing robes, trousers, turbans, and other clothes, and they were thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.
Daniel 7:9 As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
- מָלָח mâlâchragtranslated this way 2 times of its 2 uses · Strong’s H4418Noun · Translated: clothes 2Full study and all 2 verses →
Jeremiah 38:11 Then Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the king’s palace, to a place below the storehouse. From there he took old rags and worn-out clothes and lowered them with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern.
Jeremiah 38:12 Ebed-melech the Cushite cried out to Jeremiah, “Put these worn-out rags and clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.” Jeremiah did so,
- תְּכֵלֶת tekêlethviolettranslated this way 2 times of its 49 uses · Strong’s H8504Noun · Translated: blue 43, blue yarn 3, blue cloth 2, well as blue 1Full study and all 49 verses →
Exodus 28:31 You are to make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth,
Exodus 39:22 They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, the work of a weaver,
- רִקְמָה riqmâhvariegated stufftranslated this way 2 times of its 11 uses · Strong’s H7553Noun · Translated: embroidered 4, embroidered cloth 2, embroidered work 2, stones of various colors 1Full study and all 11 verses →
Ezekiel 16:10 I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk.
Ezekiel 16:13 So you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was made of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil. You became very beautiful and rose to be queen.
Greek words (New Testament)
- ἱμάτιον himátionouter garmenttranslated this way 12 times of its 56 uses · Strong’s G2440Noun · Translated: cloak 13, garments 12, clothes 8, cloaks 7Full study and all 55 verses →
Matthew 17:2 There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
Mark 9:3 His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them.
- ἔνδυμα éndymaa garment, raimenttranslated this way 7 times of its 8 uses · Strong’s G1742Noun · Translated: clothes 6, garment 1, clothing 1Full study and all 8 verses →
Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Luke 12:23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
- περιβάλλω peribállōI cast around, clothetranslated this way 6 times of its 23 uses · Strong’s G4016Verb · Translated: dressed 6, clothed 5, adorned 2, clothe 2Full study and all 23 verses →
Matthew 25:36 I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’
Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
- ἐνδύω endýōI put on, clothetranslated this way 6 times of its 25 uses · Strong’s G1746Verb · Translated: put 7, clothed 6, dressed 3, wear 2Full study and all 25 verses →
Mark 1:6 John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
Luke 24:49 And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
- σινδών sindṓna linen clothtranslated this way 6 times of its 6 uses · Strong’s G4616Noun · Translated: linen cloth 5, cloth 1Full study and all 5 verses →
Matthew 27:59 So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
Mark 14:51 One young man who had been following Jesus was wearing a linen cloth around his body. They caught hold of him,
- ἱματισμός himatismósraiment, clothingtranslated this way 5 times of its 5 uses · Strong’s G2441Noun · Translated: clothing 3, clothes 2Full study and all 5 verses →
Luke 7:25 Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in palaces.
John 19:24 So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.” So that is what the soldiers did.
- ὀθόνιον othóniona linen bandagetranslated this way 5 times of its 5 uses · Strong’s G3608Noun · Translated: linen cloths 5Full study and all 5 verses →
Luke 24:12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. And after bending down and seeing only the linen cloths, he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
John 19:40 So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom.
- ἐσθής esthḗsclothing, raimenttranslated this way 4 times of its 7 uses · Strong’s G2066Noun · Translated: clothes 3, robe 1, apparel 1, dressed 1Full study and all 6 verses →
Acts 10:30 Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this, the ninth hour. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me
James 2:2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.
- σουδάριον soudáriona handkerchieftranslated this way 3 times of its 4 uses · Strong’s G4676Noun · Translated: cloth 2, piece of cloth 1, handkerchiefs 1Full study and all 4 verses →
Luke 19:20 Then another servant came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have laid away in a piece of cloth.
John 11:44 The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them.
- ἱματίζω himatízōI clothetranslated this way 2 times of its 2 uses · Strong’s G2439Verb · Translated: clothed 2Full study and all 2 verses →
Mark 5:15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
Luke 8:35 So the people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man whom the demons had left, sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
- ἐπενδύομαι ependýomaiI put on overtranslated this way 2 times of its 2 uses · Strong’s G1902Verb · Translated: clothed 2Full study and all 2 verses →
2 Corinthians 5:2 For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,
2 Corinthians 5:4 For while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life.
- χιτών chitṓna tunic, garment, undergarmenttranslated this way 2 times of its 10 uses · Strong’s G5509Noun · Translated: tunic 6, tunics 2, clothes 1, clothing 1Full study and all 10 verses →
Mark 14:63 At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “Why do we need any more witnesses?
Jude 1:23 save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
- ἀμφιέννυμι amphiénnymiI put on, clothetranslated this way 2 times of its 4 uses · Strong’s G294Verb · Translated: clothes 2, dressed 2Full study and all 4 verses →
Matthew 6:30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Luke 12:28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!
- ῥάκος rhákosa piece of clothtranslated this way 2 times of its 2 uses · Strong’s G4470Noun · Translated: cloth 2Full study and all 2 verses →
Matthew 9:16 No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. For the patch will pull away from the garment, and a worse tear will result.
Mark 2:21 No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, and a worse tear will result.
- σπαργανόω sparganóōI wrap in swaddling clothestranslated this way 2 times of its 2 uses · Strong’s G4683Verb · Translated: wrapped him in swaddling cloths 1, wrapped in swaddling cloths 1Full study and all 2 verses →
Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:12 And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
How to study a word well
- Start from the verse, not the dictionary. Find which Hebrew or Greek word stands in the verse you are studying. One English word often translates several different original words.
- Read every place the word is used. A word means what its writers used it to mean. The list of verses and the count by book show its range, and who uses it most.
- Look at how it is translated. A word rendered five different ways has a wider meaning than any one English word can carry.
- Notice the form. A command is not a statement, and a passive verb is something done to the subject. The form in your verse is part of the meaning.
- See what it keeps company with. The words that appear beside it again and again show how the Bible itself connects ideas.
- Then read the dictionaries. They give the considered view of scholars, with their evidence.
- Come back to the verse. Context decides. A word does not carry every one of its meanings into every verse, and where a word came from does not settle what it means in a sentence written centuries later.
Scripture text and translation counts: Berean Standard Bible. Full entry: Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906, public domain), in the digital edition Brown-Driver-Briggs Enhanced by unfoldingWord (Joel Ruark, J. de Joode), based on data by Eliran Wong and Stephen Ku; its additions are used under CC BY 4.0. Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary: Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible Project, CC BY 4.0. Hebrew-to-English verse numbering: original work of the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible available at https://github.com/openscriptures/morphhb, CC BY 4.0. We reformatted the data, linked the references to this site’s Bible text and left out words in other scripts that the source holds only as images. These are historical reference works; an entry gives its authors’ view, and a word’s meaning in any verse depends on how it is used there.