מִטְפַּחַת
𐤌𐤈𐤐𐤇𐤕
miṭpachath
H4304 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A cloth covering, typically a garment or wrap for the head, shoulders, or body. In biblical usage, the term refers to a fabric article used by women either as a covering or possibly as a decorative item, especially associated with attire suitable for public appearance or ritual. Usage is specific to personal adornment or modesty, distinguished from more functional garments or coverings.
Semantic Range
cloth covering, garment, shawl, scarf, veil, kerchief, wrap; decorative article of clothing for a woman; utilitarian cloth used for carrying objects
Root / Etymology
From the root טָפַח (ṭ-p-ḥ), meaning 'to spread, stretch, extend.' The noun מִטְפַּחַת is formed by the nominal prefix מִ– indicating an instrument or means, thus denoting 'that which is spread out' or 'a spread/cover.' The derivation reflects more the act of spreading a fabric than the core act of stretching the hand (the primary sense of the root).
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term מִטְפַּחַת appears only in a very limited number of texts in the Hebrew Bible (notably Isaiah 3:22 and Ruth 3:15), both contexts involving women and articles of clothing. In Isaiah, it is listed among items of finery worn by women, perhaps as a type of headscarf, shawl, or veil. In Ruth, it refers to a cloth or garment used for receiving grain, suggesting some flexibility in meaning depending on context: from ornate accessory to utilitarian covering. In later periods, Jewish tradition associates the term more directly with a 'scarf' or 'kerchief.' English translations as 'veil' or 'wimple' often reflect later uses or interpretive traditions rather than the underlying Hebrew nuance. Its distinction from terms such as צָעִיף (veil, muffler) and רְדִיד (shawl) highlights the breadth of ancient Hebrew vocabulary for women's garments and coverings, each carrying specific cultural and social connotations relevant to the time period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from טָפַח; a wide cloak (for a woman); vail, wimple.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
טפח (ṭ-p-ḥ) — to spread out, to stretch, to extend
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2946 | טָפַח | I spread out |
| H2947 | טֵפַח | the palm-breadths |
| H2948 | טֹפַח | a palm-breadth |
| H2949 | טִפֻּח | hand-spans |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4304-01 |
הַ/מִּטְפַּ֧חַת | hamitepachat | HTd/Ncfsa |
the shawl | the spread-cloth wrap | 1 |
H4304-02 |
וְ/הַ/מִּטְפָּח֖וֹת | vehamitepachot | HC/Td/Ncfpa |
and the cloaks | spread-out wraps | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4304-02 |
Isaiah 3:22 | וְ/הַ/מִּטְפָּח֖וֹת | vehamitepachot | HC/Td/Ncfpa |
and the cloaks | spread-out wraps |
H4304-01 |
Ruth 3:15 | הַ/מִּטְפַּ֧חַת | hamitepachat | HTd/Ncfsa |
the shawl | the spread-cloth wrap |