Lexical Summary pethigil: "Unfolding Joy" Original Word: פְתִיגִיל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance stomacher Of uncertain derivation; probably a figured mantle for holidays -- stomacher. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably of foreign origin Definition perhaps an expensive robe NASB Translation fine clothes (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מְּתִּיגִיל] noun [masculine] rich robe (?) (probably foreign word); — ׳פ absolute Isaiah 3:24, ᵐ5 χιτὼν μεσοπόρφυρος ᵑ9 fascia pectoralis. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Pᵉtîgîl appears once, in Isaiah 3:24, where the prophet announces that divine judgment will strip the proud daughters of Zion of their luxurious apparel: “Instead of fine clothing, sackcloth” (Isaiah 3:24). Historical and Cultural Context Fine outer robes signified honor, wealth, and social standing in eighth-century-BC Judah. Such garments were dyed, embroidered, and often perfumed. A woman wearing a pᵉtîgîl would be immediately recognized as part of Judah’s elite. Isaiah’s audience would have felt the shock of seeing that symbol of dignity replaced by the coarse fabric of sackcloth—habitually worn by mourners, penitents, and the disgraced (Genesis 37:34; 2 Samuel 3:31). The Prophetic Message in Isaiah 3 Isaiah 3 exposes the moral decay of Jerusalem’s leadership and society. The catalog of feminine ornaments in Isaiah 3:16-23 culminates in verse 24’s fourfold “instead of,” underscoring total reversal. The loss of the pᵉtîgîl is not merely social humiliation; it is the visible sign that covenant infidelity (Isaiah 1:4) brings covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:15, 40). Outer splendor cannot conceal inner corruption. God’s judgment begins with His own people (1 Peter 4:17), stripping away false securities so that true repentance may be sought. Theological Themes 1. Divine Reversal: God overturns human pride by exchanging glory for shame (Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6). Applications for Faith and Practice • Modesty and Humility: Believers are urged to value inward holiness above outward display (1 Timothy 2:9-10). Luxurious clothing, though not inherently sinful, must never supplant devotion to God. Related Biblical Passages Genesis 37:3; Exodus 28:2; Deuteronomy 8:10-14; Psalm 73:6; Proverbs 31:22; Isaiah 61:10; Amos 2:6-7; Zephaniah 1:8; Matthew 6:28-33; Revelation 3:18; Revelation 19:7-8. Summary Pᵉtîgîl stands as a vivid reminder that earthly splendor is fragile before the holiness of God. Its single occurrence encapsulates a major biblical motif: the garment of pride is torn away so that a robe of righteousness may, by grace, be given. Forms and Transliterations פְּתִיגִ֖יל פתיגיל pə·ṯî·ḡîl petiGil pəṯîḡîlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 3:24 HEB: קָרְחָ֔ה וְתַ֥חַת פְּתִיגִ֖יל מַחֲגֹ֣רֶת שָׂ֑ק NAS: Instead of fine clothes, a donning KJV: baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding INT: A plucked-out Instead of fine A donning of sackcloth 1 Occurrence |
    |