Lexical Summary kethoneth or kuttoneth: Tunic, garment, robe Original Word: כְּתֹנֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance coat, garment, robe Or kuttoneth {koot-to'-neth}; from an unused root meaning to cover (compare katheph); a shirt -- coat, garment, robe. see HEBREW katheph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a tunic NASB Translation coat (2), dress (1), garment (2), garments (4), tunic (14), tunics (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs כֻּתֹּ֫נֶת, כְּתֹ֫נֶת noun feminine tunic (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic כִּתּוּנָא. etc.,  etc.; Ethiopic  tunic, linen; compare also √ above); — absolute כֻּתֹּנֶת Genesis 37:31 2t.; כְּתֹנֶת Exodus 28:39; construct כְּתֹנֶת Genesis 37:3 9t.; suffix כֻּתָּנְתּוֺ Genesis 37:23; 2 Samuel 15:32, כֻּתָּנְתֶּ֑ךָ Isaiah 22:21, כֻּתָּנְתִּי Job 30:18; Songs 5:3; plural absolute כֻּתֳּנֹת Exodus 28:40 3t., הַכָּתְנֹת Exodus 39:27; construct כָּתְנוֺת Genesis 3:21 2t., כָּתְנֹת Ezra 2:69; suffix כֻּתֳּנֹתָם Leviticus 10:5; — tunic, principal ordinary garment (see BenzArchaeology 98 f. NowArchaeology i, 121, 193) of man and woman, worn next the person, כָּתְנֹת עוֺר Genesis 3:21 tunics of skin; of man 2 Samuel 15:32; ׳מִּי כ Job 30:18 mouth of any tunic (i.e. its collar); מַּסִּים׳כ Genesis 37:3,23,32 i.e. tunic with long skirts and sleeves (see מַּס), compare Genesis 37:23; Genesis 37:31; Genesis 37:31; Genesis 37:32; Genesis 37:33; of woman Songs 5:3 (put off at night); מַּסִּים ׳כ 2 Samuel 13:18,19 (of king's daughter; rent, as sign of grief, compare also 2 Samuel 15:32, and see קרע). Specifically of priest's tunic Exodus 28:4,39 (embroidered, see שׁבץ, תַּשְׁבֵּץ), Exodus 28:40; Exodus 29:5,8; Exodus 39:27 (made of שֵׁשׁ, q. v.), Exodus 40:14; Leviticus 8:7,13; Leviticus 10:5; בַּֿד קֹדֶשׁ׳כּ Leviticus 16:4 a holy linen tunic, of high priest; כֹּֿהֲנִים׳כ Ezra 2:69; Nehemiah 7:69,71 (van d. H. Nehemiah 7:70; Nehemiah 7:72); of Shebna's official tunic Isaiah 22:21. כתף (√ of following; meaning unknown). Topical Lexicon Definition and General Description Ketonet denotes a long, shirt–like garment that served as the basic article of clothing for both men and women in ancient Israel. It was normally woven from wool or linen, extending to the knees or ankles, with or without sleeves. While an ordinary tunic was common apparel, Scripture records several specialized ketonot whose design, fabrication, or use conveyed covenantal and theological truths. Earliest Occurrence: Atonement and Covering “Yahweh God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). The first mention of ketonet follows mankind’s fall and sheds light on God’s initiative in providing a covering secured through the shedding of blood. This act foreshadows substitutionary atonement and establishes the biblical pattern that sin requires a divinely provided covering. Patriarchal Narratives: Honor, Favor, and Conflict Jacob’s preferential love for Joseph is displayed through “a richly ornamented robe” (Genesis 37:3). The ketonet here is distinguished by length and embroidery, marking Joseph for blessing and leadership. Its blood-stained presentation to Jacob (Genesis 37:31–33) dramatizes deception and anticipated deliverance. Later, Joseph’s divinely orchestrated exaltation confirms that God’s purposes overcome human malice. Priestly Ministry: Holiness and Service The Sinai instructions devote extensive attention to priestly ketonot (Exodus 28:4, 39–41; 29:5, 8; 39:27; 40:14; Leviticus 8:7, 13; 16:4, 23). Each priest received a linen tunic, but Aaron’s was uniquely “woven with a checkerwork pattern,” symbolizing dignity and beauty. Linen—free from the sweat associated with labor (Ezekiel 44:18)—signified purity before a holy God. On the Day of Atonement the high priest exchanged his ornate vestments for plain linen (Leviticus 16:4), reinforcing humility as he entered the Most Holy Place. The ketonet therefore speaks both of sanctified office and of required personal holiness. Royal and Noble Contexts The king’s virgin daughters wore “a robe of many colors” (2 Samuel 13:18). Tamar’s torn and ash-soiled tunic (2 Samuel 13:19) becomes a visible indictment of Amnon’s sin and Absalom’s eventual vengeance. In Isaiah’s oracle concerning Eliakim, God promises, “I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him” (Isaiah 22:21). The transfer of a ketonet confirms legitimate authority granted by the Lord, not merely by human appointment. Everyday Garment and Legal Protection Job laments, “By great power He seizes my garment” (Job 30:18), using ketonet as a metaphor for personal dignity stripped away by suffering. Mosaic law forbade keeping an Israelite’s outer garment overnight as pledge (Exodus 22:26–27); by implication, the ketonet, worn next to the skin, was even more personal, reinforcing the importance of justice and compassion in economic dealings. Prophetic and Poetic Imagery Isaiah and the Psalmists employ clothing imagery to describe salvation and judgment. Though other Hebrew terms may appear, the concept parallels ketonet, underscoring that God alone provides righteous covering. Amos condemns those who “stretch out beside every altar on garments taken in pledge” (Amos 2:8), showing that misuse of garments symbolizes covenant violation and profanation. Typological Connection to Messiah In the Septuagint, ketonet is rendered chitōn, the very word John uses when recording that soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ seamless tunic (John 19:23–24). The High Priest’s linen ketonet, the favored son’s multi-colored ketonet, and the sin-covering ketonet of Eden all converge in the crucified Messiah whose unseamed garment affirms His perfect righteousness and singular priesthood. Lessons for Faith and Ministry Today 1. Covering: God alone provides a garment adequate to meet mankind’s need; ministers proclaim Christ as that covering. Key References Genesis 3:21; 37:3, 23, 31–33 Exodus 28:4, 39–41; 29:5; 39:27 Leviticus 8:7, 13; 16:4, 23 Together these passages reveal ketonet as more than ancient attire; it is a divine object lesson pointing to redemption, priesthood, and righteous living under the covenant God. Forms and Transliterations בְּכֻתֳּנֹתָ֔ם בכתנתם הַכְּתֹ֣נֶת הַכְּתֹ֧נֶת הַכָּתְנֹ֥ת הַכֻּתֹּ֔נֶת הַכֻּתֹּ֖נֶת הַכֻּתֹּ֗נֶת הכתנת וְכָתְנֹ֥ת וּכְתֹ֥נֶת וּכְתֹ֧נֶת וכתנת כְּתֹ֣נֶת כְּתֹ֥נֶת כְּתֹֽנֶת־ כָּתְנ֥וֹת כָּתְנוֹת֙ כֻּתֳּנֹֽת׃ כֻּתֳּנֹת֙ כֻּתָּנְתִּ֔י כֻּתָּנְתֶּ֗ךָ כֻּתָּנְתּ֔וֹ כֻתֳּנֹ֔ת כֻתָּנְתִּ֣י כתנות כתנת כתנת־ כתנת׃ כתנתו כתנתי כתנתך bə·ḵut·to·nō·ṯām bechuttonoTam bəḵuttonōṯām chuttaneTi chuttoNot hak·kā·ṯə·nōṯ hak·kə·ṯō·neṯ hak·kut·tō·neṯ hakkateNot hakkāṯənōṯ hakkeTonet hakkəṯōneṯ hakkutTonet hakkuttōneṯ kā·ṯə·nō·wṯ kateNot kāṯənōwṯ kə·ṯō·neṯ kə·ṯō·neṯ- keTonet kəṯōneṯ kəṯōneṯ- kut·tā·nə·te·ḵā kut·tā·nə·tî ḵut·tā·nə·tî kut·tā·nə·tōw kut·to·nōṯ ḵut·to·nōṯ kuttaneTecha kuttānəteḵā kuttaneTi kuttānətî ḵuttānətî kuttaneTo kuttānətōw kuttoNot kuttonōṯ ḵuttonōṯ ū·ḵə·ṯō·neṯ ucheTonet ūḵəṯōneṯ vechateNot wə·ḵā·ṯə·nōṯ wəḵāṯənōṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 3:21 HEB: לְאָדָ֧ם וּלְאִשְׁתּ֛וֹ כָּתְנ֥וֹת ע֖וֹר וַיַּלְבִּשֵֽׁם׃ NAS: God made garments of skin for Adam KJV: make coats of skins, INT: Adam and his wife garments of skin and clothed Genesis 37:3 Genesis 37:23 Genesis 37:23 Genesis 37:31 Genesis 37:31 Genesis 37:32 Genesis 37:32 Genesis 37:33 Exodus 28:4 Exodus 28:39 Exodus 28:40 Exodus 29:5 Exodus 29:8 Exodus 39:27 Exodus 40:14 Leviticus 8:7 Leviticus 8:13 Leviticus 10:5 Leviticus 16:4 2 Samuel 13:18 2 Samuel 13:19 2 Samuel 15:32 Ezra 2:69 Nehemiah 7:70 29 Occurrences |
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