מַחֲלָצָה
𐤌𐤇𐤋𐤑𐤄
machălâtsâh
H4254 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An outer garment or suit of clothing, often especially a change of clothes; a set of apparel intended for formal or special occasions, or as part of a gift or spoils. In biblical contexts, frequently refers to garments given, exchanged, or acquired, indicating change or variety as an essential feature.
Semantic Range
set of garments, change of apparel, change of raiment, outfit (especially fine or formal), festive or honorific clothing, set of clothes given as gift or spoil
Root / Etymology
From the root חלץ (ḥ-l-ṣ), meaning 'to draw off, strip, rescue, remove'. מַחֲלָצָה derives from this root in the sense of something that can be taken off or changed—thus, a suit or set of garments which may be removed or exchanged. The noun formation reflects an object resulting from the action of the root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מַחֲלָצָה appears in the context of valuable wardrobes, typically as part of plunder (Judges 14:12-13), festive gifts, or in reference to fancy or ceremonial clothing. The nuance is not just any garment, but an ensemble or change of garments of notable quality, often granted as a reward, gift, or acquired through victory. This term contrasts with more generic terms for clothing (e.g., בֶּגֶד, 'beged'), and suggests a set intended for changing, i.e., an extra or replacement set of clothes, sometimes signifying honor or social status. While many English biblical translations render it as 'change of garments,' this can obscure the status-oriented nuance, especially where reference is to festive, sumptuous, or honorific apparel. The idea of something 'easily taken off' is secondary to the sense of a special garment set prepared for changing or gifting. No significant semantic shift is attested between early and later biblical texts, though its occurrence is rare and largely restricted to narrative or poetic contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חָלַץ; a mantle (as easily drawn off); changeable suit of apparel, change of raiment.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חלץ (ḥ-l-ṣ) — draw off, strip, remove, rescue
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2488 | חֲלִיצָה | his battle-armor |
| H2502 | חָלַץ | I will draw him out |
| H2503 | חֶלֶץ | Helez |
| H2504 | חָלָץ | loins |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4254-02 |
מַחֲלָצֽוֹת | machalatsot | HNcfpa |
festal-robes | change-garment sets | 1 |
H4254-01 |
הַ/מַּֽחֲלָצוֹת֙ | hamachalatsot | HTd/Ncfpa |
the festal robes | the changeable garments | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4254-01 |
Isaiah 3:22 | הַ/מַּֽחֲלָצוֹת֙ | hamachalatsot | HTd/Ncfpa |
the festal robes | the changeable garments |
H4254-02 |
Zechariah 3:4 | מַחֲלָצֽוֹת | machalatsot | HNcfpa |
festal-robes | change-garment sets |