The tunic is a garment frequently mentioned in the Bible, serving as a basic piece of clothing in ancient Near Eastern attire. It was typically a long, loose-fitting garment worn by both men and women, often made of wool, linen, or a combination of fabrics. The tunic was an essential part of daily life and held various symbolic and practical significance throughout biblical narratives.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the tunic is first mentioned in the context of Adam and Eve. After the Fall, God made garments of skin for them, which likely included tunics, to cover their nakedness (Genesis 3:21). This act of providing clothing is seen as a symbol of God's care and provision even after humanity's disobedience.

The tunic also appears in the account of Joseph, who was given a "tunic of many colors" by his father Jacob (Genesis 37:3). This special garment set Joseph apart from his brothers and became a symbol of Jacob's favoritism, ultimately leading to jealousy and strife within the family.

In the priestly context, the tunic was part of the sacred garments worn by the priests. Exodus 28:39-40 describes the tunics made for Aaron and his sons as part of their consecration for service in the Tabernacle. These tunics were made of fine linen, signifying purity and holiness.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the tunic is mentioned in the teachings of Jesus. In Matthew 5:40, Jesus instructs, "If anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well" . This teaching emphasizes the principle of non-retaliation and the call to go beyond what is required in showing love and forgiveness.

The tunic also appears in the account of Jesus' crucifixion. The soldiers cast lots for His seamless tunic, fulfilling the prophecy found in Psalm 22:18: "They divide My garments among them and cast lots for My clothing" (John 19:23-24). This event highlights the fulfillment of Scripture and the humiliation Christ endured for humanity's redemption.

Symbolism and Significance

The tunic in biblical times was more than just a piece of clothing; it often symbolized identity, status, and divine provision. In the case of Joseph, the tunic represented his father's love and the unique role he would play in God's plan for Israel. For the priests, the tunic was a sign of their consecration and service to God.

In the teachings of Jesus, the tunic becomes a metaphor for selflessness and the call to live according to the values of the Kingdom of God. The seamless tunic of Christ, gambled over by soldiers, underscores the sacrificial nature of His mission and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

Overall, the tunic serves as a reminder of God's provision, the call to holiness, and the sacrificial love demonstrated by Jesus Christ.1. (n.) An under-garment worn by the ancient Romans of both sexes. It was made with or without sleeves, reached to or below the knees, and was confined at the waist by a girdle.

2. (n.) Any similar garment worm by ancient or Oriental peoples; also, a common name for various styles of loose-fitting under-garments and over-garments worn in modern times by Europeans and others.

3. (n.) Same as Tunicle.

4. (n.) A membrane, or layer of tissue, especially when enveloping an organ or part, as the eye.

5. (n.) A natural covering; an integument; as, the tunic of a seed.

6. (n.) See Mantle, n., 3 (a).

5509. chiton -- a tunic
... a tunic. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: chiton Phonetic Spelling:
(khee-tone') Short Definition: a tunic, garment, undergarment Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5509.htm - 7k

1903. ependutes -- an outer tunic
... an outer tunic. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: ependutes Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-en-doo'-tace) Short Definition: a coat, outer wrap Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1903.htm - 6k

328. anazonnumi -- to gird up
... Definition: I gird up, brace up Definition: I gird up, brace up (with a view to
active exertion); a metaphor from the girding of the flowing tunic, to prevent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/328.htm - 7k

2440. himation -- an outer garment, a cloak, robe
... Noun, Neuter Transliteration: himation Phonetic Spelling: (him-at'-ee-on) Short
Definition: outer garment Definition: a long flowing outer garment, tunic. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2440.htm - 7k

5511. chlamus -- a chlamys or short cloak
... worn by soldiers, military officers, magistrates, kings, emperors, etc" (J. Thayer) --
the Latin , the garment of "dignity" (office) worn over the 5509 ("tunic ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5511.htm - 7k

3801. kethoneth -- a tunic
... 3800, 3801. kethoneth or kuttoneth. 3802 . a tunic. Transliteration: kethoneth
or kuttoneth Phonetic Spelling: (keth-o'-neth) Short Definition: tunic. ...
/hebrew/3801.htm - 6k

6446. pas -- flat (of the hand or foot)
... From pacac; properly, the palm (of the hand) or sole (of the foot) (compare pac);
by implication (plural) a long and sleeved tunic (perhaps simply a wide one ...
/hebrew/6446.htm - 6k

How Brother Juniper Gave all that He had to the Poor for the Love ...
... Brother Juniper was so full of pity and compassion for the poor, that when he saw
anyone poor or naked he immediately took off his tunic, or the hood of his ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter iv how brother juniper.htm

Whether the Vestments of the Ministers are Fittingly Instituted in ...
... Now the bishop uses the vestments of the ministers, namely the dalmatic, which is
the deacon's vestment, and the tunic, which is the subdeacon's. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the vestments of the.htm

Epistle iii. To John, Abbot .
... With regard to the tunic of Saint John [1471] , I have been altogether
gratified by thy anxiety to tell me of it. But let thy Love ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle iii to john abbot.htm

Arria Met them in the Atrium. ...
... "You are condemned to the company of my mother," said Arria, quickly. She
wore a tunic of the color of violets, with not a jewel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 10 arria met them.htm

The Saint of God, the Hermit Richard, was Born in the Village of ...
... And when he had received them he straightway cut off the sleeves from the grey tunic
and the buttons from the white, and as best he could he fitted the sleeves ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/lection i the saint of.htm

Difference Between the True Religion and Philosophy.
... that it was right to present to him who strikes you on the one cheek the other
[1232] also, and to give to him who takes away your cloak your tunic also, and ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter v difference between the true.htm

The Death of Pilate, who Condemned Jesus.
... brought to him. But Pilate brought down with him the seamless tunic of Jesus;
and he wore it on him in presence of the emperor. And as ...
/.../unknown/the death of pilate who condemned jesus/the death of pilate who.htm

The Shunammite's Boy.
... up the stone stair, she stood at the door of the little chamber, hiding her face,
her dark hair covered by a white kerchief that fell over a tunic of bright ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the shunammites boy.htm

Chapter xix.
... also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat
[tunic, undergarment], let him have thy cloak [168] also. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xix.htm

Those Days it was Near Twelve O'Clock by the Great Dial of History ...
... behind. From below the knot a row of curls fell upon the folds of her outer
tunic. ... legs. "She is indeed beautiful in the yellow tunic. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 2 those days it.htm

Tunic (24 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A natural covering; an integument; as, the tunic of a seed. 6. (n.) See
Mantle, n., 3 (a). Multi-Version Concordance Tunic (24 Occurrences). ...
/t/tunic.htm - 13k

Mantle (35 Occurrences)
... (2.) Hebrews me'il, frequently applied to the "robe of the ephod" (Exodus 28:4,
31; Leviticus 8:7), which was a splendid under tunic wholly of blue, reaching ...
/m/mantle.htm - 21k

Dress (38 Occurrences)
... It is mentioned in Judges 14:12, 13, and rendered there "sheets.". (c) An upper
tunic (meil), longer than the "coat" (1 Samuel 2:19; 24:4; 28:14). ...
/d/dress.htm - 53k

Including (90 Occurrences)
... John 19:23 So the soldiers, as soon as they had crucified Jesus, took His garments,
including His tunic, and divided them into four parts--one part for each ...
/i/including.htm - 33k

Divided (102 Occurrences)
... John 19:23 So the soldiers, as soon as they had crucified Jesus, took His garments,
including His tunic, and divided them into four parts--one part for each ...
/d/divided.htm - 37k

Breastpiece (21 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and
an ephod, and a robe, and a tunic of chequer work, a mitre, and a girdle; and ...
/b/breastpiece.htm - 12k

Coat (54 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Coat. The tunic worn like the shirt next the
skin (Leviticus 16:4; Cant. 5:3; 2 Samuel 15:32; Exodus 28 ...
/c/coat.htm - 25k

Cloak (73 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary An upper garment, "an exterior tunic, wide and long,
reaching to the ankles, but without sleeves" (Isaiah 59:17). ...
/c/cloak.htm - 30k

Apparel (38 Occurrences)
... Both men and women wore (1) an under garment or tunic, which was bound
by a girdle. One who had only this tunic on was spoken of ...
/a/apparel.htm - 24k

Piece (93 Occurrences)
... John 19:23 So the soldiers, as soon as they had crucified Jesus, took His garments,
including His tunic, and divided them into four parts--one part for each ...
/p/piece.htm - 40k

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