Lexical Summary suth: robes Original Word: סוּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance clothes Probably from the same root as macveh; covering, i.e. Clothing -- clothes. see HEBREW macveh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition vesture NASB Translation robes (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [סוּת] noun [masculine] vesture (Late Hebrew, but dubious; see Levys. see ); — suffix 3 masculine singular סוּתֹה Genesis 49:11 (poem in J; "" לְבֻשׁוֺ). Topical Lexicon Canonical LocationThe noun סוּת appears once, in Genesis 49:11, within Jacob’s prophetic blessing over Judah. In the verse the word designates “robes”, standing parallel to לְבוּשׁ (“garments”), and contributing to a vivid picture of abundance, regal dignity, and messianic expectation. Literary Context Genesis 49 records Jacob’s final words to his sons. The Judah oracle (49:8-12) moves from immediate tribal prospects to far-reaching messianic promise. The lines culminate in verse 11: “He ties his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.” Here סוּת (“robes”) strengthens the image by doubling the reference to clothing. The first term underscores possession (“his garments”), while סוּת adds the nuance of an outer mantle—attire suited to nobility. The poetic parallelism heightens the sense of prosperity so great that wine functions as common wash-water. Historical and Cultural Background 1. Agricultural Plenty In ancient Palestine, abundant vines and rich vintage symbolized peace and divine blessing (Deuteronomy 8:8; 1 Kings 4:25). The act of laundering garments in wine graphically declares a harvest beyond normal need. 2. Regal Clothing Robes marked status (1 Samuel 18:4; Esther 6:8). Within patriarchal culture, a special mantle foretold authority. By assigning lavishly treated robes to Judah, Jacob prophesies royal ascendancy (realized in David and ultimately in Messiah). Theological Significance 1. Royalty and Dominion The robe imagery anticipates Judah’s kingly line: “The scepter will not depart from Judah” (Genesis 49:10). Robes saturated in grape blood suggest coronation splendor linked with sacrificial hue. 2. Messianic Foreshadowing Isaiah 63:1-3 depicts the LORD “splattered” with red from winepress judgment. Revelation 19:13 echoes both passages: “He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood.” Genesis 49:11 thus seeds a theme later harvested in prophetic and apostolic writings—Messiah’s rule established through blood, judgment, and redemption. 3. Purification through Blood Washing in wine anticipates cleansing by blood. Hebrews 9:22 affirms, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” The word סוּת therefore stands at the intersection of purification and kingship, previewing the Gospel’s twin motifs of atonement and royal triumph. Intertextual Links • Isaiah 63:2-3 – blood-stained garments of the Divine Warrior Ministry and Devotional Applications 1. Confidence in God’s Unfolding Plan A single, obscure noun manifests precise fulfillment across millennia, encouraging trust in Scripture’s integrity. 2. Worship Focus on Christ’s Sufficiency The robe drenched in “blood of grapes” invites meditation on the poured-out life of Jesus, whose blood both judges and redeems. 3. Call to Holiness As robes symbolize identity, believers are urged to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14) and keep their garments unstained (Revelation 3:4-5). Summary Though occurring only once, סוּת enriches the prophetic tapestry of Genesis 49, amplifying Judah’s promised kingship and prefiguring the scarlet-robed Messiah whose reign is secured through sacrificial blood. Forms and Transliterations סוּתֹֽו׃ סותו׃ sū·ṯōw suTo sūṯōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 49:11 HEB: [סוּתֹה כ] (סוּתֹֽו׃ ק) NAS: in wine, And his robes in the blood KJV: in wine, and his clothes in the blood INT: the blood of grapes clothes |
    |