3374. mélóté

Lexicon

mélóté: Sheepskin, fleece

Original Word: μηλωτή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: mélóté
Pronunciation: may-lo-TAY
Phonetic Spelling: (may-lo-tay')
Definition: Sheepskin, fleece
Meaning: a sheep's (sometimes pig's) hide, sheepskin.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

sheepskin.

From melon (a sheep); a sheep-skin -- sheepskin.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from mélon (a sheep or goat)
Definition
a sheepskin
NASB Translation
sheepskins (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3374: μηλωτή

μηλωτή, μηλωτης, ἡ (from μῆλον sheep, also a goat; as καμηλωτη (`camlet') from κάμηλος (cf. Lob. Paralip., p. 332)), a sheepskin: Hebrews 11:37, and thence in Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 17, 1 [ET]. For אַדֶּרֶת an outer robe, mantle, the Sept. in 1 Kings 19:13, 19; 2 Kings 2:8, 13f, doubtless because these mantles were made of skins; hence, more closely שֵׂעָר אַדֶּרֶת, a mantle of hair, Zechariah 13:4 (where the Sept. δέρρις τριχινη). In the Byzantine writings (Apoll. Dysk. 191, 9) μηλοτη denotes a monk's garment.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word "μηλον" (mēlon), meaning "sheep" or "apple," but in this context, it refers to "sheep" as it pertains to a sheepskin or a garment made from it.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H155 (אַדֶּרֶת, 'addereth): A mantle or cloak, often associated with the prophet Elijah in the Old Testament.
• H4598 (מְעִיל, me'il): A robe or outer garment, used in various contexts, including priestly attire.

These Hebrew terms reflect similar concepts of garments used for specific roles or symbolic purposes within the biblical narrative, paralleling the Greek μηλωτή in its function and significance.

Usage: The term μηλωτή is used in the New Testament to describe a type of garment, specifically a cloak or mantle made from sheepskin. It is often associated with the attire of prophets or those living in austere conditions.

Context: The Greek term μηλωτή (mēlōtē) appears in the New Testament context as a garment associated with prophetic or ascetic figures. In the cultural and historical setting of the Bible, a μηλωτή was a practical garment, providing warmth and protection against the elements. It was typically made from the skin of a sheep, retaining the wool for insulation. This type of cloak was commonly worn by shepherds and those who lived in rural or wilderness areas.

In the New Testament, the μηλωτή is notably mentioned in the context of the prophet Elijah, who is described as wearing a mantle. This mantle becomes a symbol of his prophetic authority and is later passed on to Elisha, signifying the transfer of prophetic responsibility and power (though the specific term μηλωτή is not used in the New Testament for Elijah's mantle, the concept is similar).

The use of a sheepskin cloak in the biblical narrative often signifies humility, simplicity, and a life dedicated to God's service, contrasting with more luxurious garments worn by those in positions of earthly power. The μηλωτή serves as a visual representation of the prophetic calling, marked by a life set apart for divine purposes.

Forms and Transliterations

μηλωταις μηλωταίς μηλωταῖς μηλωτή μηλωτήν melotais melotaîs mēlōtais mēlōtaîs

Englishman's Concordance

Hebrews 11:37 N-DFP
GRK: περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς ἐν αἰγείοις
NAS: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins,
KJV: in sheepskins and
INT: they wandered in sheepskins in goats'

Strong's Greek 3374
1 Occurrence

μηλωταῖς — 1 Occ.