Lexical Summary kephath: Basket, container Original Word: כְּפַת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bind (Aramaic) a root of uncertain correspondence; to fetter -- bind. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) a prim. root Definition to bind NASB Translation bound (1), tie (1), tied (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs כְּפַת verb bind (ᵑ7 id.; Late Hebrew כָּפַת; Syriac  form knots,  twist into a knot, Arabic  draw together, Assyrian [kapâtu] II. bring together); — Pe`il Perfect3masculine plural כְּ פִ֫תוּ, (WCG 224) Daniel 3:21 they were bound. Pa`el bind: Infinitive לְכַמָּתָךְ Daniel 3:20 (ל accusative of person); Passive participle plural מְכַמְּתִין bound Daniel 3:23; Daniel 3:24. Topical Lexicon Occurrences in Daniel 3Daniel 3:20, 3:21, 3:23, and 3:24 employ the term כְּפַת to describe one element of the attire worn by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they were bound and cast into the blazing furnace. The Berean Standard Bible renders it “trousers,” part of a four-fold list of garments that also includes robes, turbans, and other clothes (Daniel 3:21). The repetition of the term in rapid succession underscores both the thoroughness with which the men were dressed and the completeness of the miracle that followed. Cultural and Historical Background Babylonian court dress in the sixth century B.C. reflected layers of prestige as well as practicality. The mention of trousers alongside robes and turbans shows the influence of Persian and Median attire already present in Babylon (cf. Ezekiel 23:15). Trousers in the Ancient Near East were typically associated with military or administrative officials, suggesting that the three Hebrews retained their official garments even under sentence of death. Their clothing identified them as men of rank, and Nebuchadnezzar’s command that they be thrown into the fire “tied up, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans, and other clothes” (Daniel 3:21) heightens the dramatic reversal when those same garments emerge unsinged. Symbolic Significance in the Narrative 1. Total Exposure to the Flames Every item that could ignite is listed, emphasizing that nothing about the rescue could be attributed to chance. “The fire had no power over their bodies; not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them” (Daniel 3:27). The repetition of כְּפַת helps frame the miracle as absolute. 2. Vindication of Faithful Witnesses These garments, once symbols of status in a pagan administration, become testimonies to the power of the God of Israel. The preservation of the trousers—highly flammable linen or wool—accentuates divine intervention. 3. Foreshadowing of Ultimate Deliverance The three Hebrews step out of the furnace prefiguring the resurrection hope later articulated in Daniel 12:2. Their intact clothing illustrates God’s ability to preserve His people spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Theology and Ministry Application • Assurance of Protection in Service Ministers often face “fiery trials” (1 Peter 4:12). The intact trousers remind believers that God guards not only the soul but also the outward circumstances necessary for His purposes (Luke 21:18). • Call to Visible Integrity The fact that the Hebrews wore the full uniform of Babylon yet refused idolatry teaches modern disciples to serve faithfully in secular settings without compromising worship (Romans 12:1-2). • Demonstration of Holiness That Touches the Material World God’s redemption involves creation itself (Romans 8:21). The untouched garments illustrate that sanctification is not merely internal; it affects tangible life. Connections to Other Biblical Texts • Priestly Garments: Exodus 28 prescribes linen undergarments for Aaron’s sons “to cover their nakedness” (Exodus 28:42). The Lord’s preservation of the Hebrews’ trousers echoes His concern for holy clothing in worship. Christological and Eschatological Reflections Nebuchadnezzar saw “a fourth man... like a son of the gods” (Daniel 3:25). The untouched trousers play a silent role in revealing this pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ, the One who will “walk among the lampstands” (Revelation 2:1) safeguarding His witnesses. Just as the Hebrews’ garments emerged whole, so believers will be clothed with immortal bodies (1 Corinthians 15:53) at Christ’s return. Summary Although כְּפַת appears only four times, its strategic placement in Daniel 3 magnifies the totality of God’s deliverance, affirms the believer’s call to faithful engagement in secular culture, and foreshadows the ultimate preservation found in Christ. Forms and Transliterations כְּפִ֙תוּ֙ כפתו לְכַפָּתָ֔ה לכפתה מְכַפְּתִ֔ין מְכַפְּתִֽין׃ מכפתין מכפתין׃ kə·p̄i·ṯū keFitu kəp̄iṯū lə·ḵap·pā·ṯāh lechappaTah ləḵappāṯāh mə·ḵap·pə·ṯîn mechappeTin məḵappəṯînLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 3:20 HEB: בְחַיְלֵ֔הּ אֲמַר֙ לְכַפָּתָ֔ה לְשַׁדְרַ֥ךְ מֵישַׁ֖ךְ NAS: [were] in his army to tie up Shadrach, KJV: that [were] in his army to bind Shadrach, INT: his army commanded to tie Shadrach Meshach Daniel 3:21 Daniel 3:23 Daniel 3:24 4 Occurrences |
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