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שִׂמְלָה

𐤔𐤌𐤋𐤄

simlâh

H8071 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שׂמל to cover, to clothe (if root is valid)

Definition

A garment, covering, or article of clothing, typically referring to an outer garment or cloak worn by both men and women in ancient Israelite society. The term schimlâh is most often used to denote a substantial cloth covering, such as a cloak, mantle, or wrap, rather than undergarments or tunics. While its most direct sense is a physical item of clothing, it can also refer generically to apparel or clothing as a category in certain passages.

Semantic Range

cloak, outer garment, mantle, wrap, apparel, article of clothing, covering, clothing (general)

Root / Etymology

From the root שׂמל. The precise relationship between שִׂמְלָה (simlâh) and the root is not entirely clear, and the etymology remains uncertain. Some posit a connection to the root סמל ('to resemble; to make a likeness'), but this is debated and not universally supported. The commonly held understanding situates the word among terms for clothing, possibly related to the idea of 'covering' or 'wrapping.' Cognate forms appear in other Semitic languages, though exact derivation is uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, שִׂמְלָה refers to a principal outer garment, often a cloak, which could be used for warmth, covering, or even as collateral for loans (as in Exod 22:25–26). It is distinct from כְּתוֹנֶת (ketonet), which refers to an inner tunic or undergarment, and from מְעִיל (meʿil), a robe or mantle typically associated with higher status or specific offices. The simlâh was an important personal item and losing or exchanging it could carry social or legal ramifications, as seen in various legal and narrative texts. Over time, especially later biblical and Second Temple texts, the term may accrue more generic senses, referring broadly to clothing. English translations often render simlâh as 'garment' or 'raiment,' although these do not always capture the specific function and cultural significance of the item. In post-biblical Hebrew, usage narrows or shifts, but the word continues to denote clothing or garments generally.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

perhaps by permutation for the feminine of סֶמֶל (through the idea of a cover assuming the shape of the object beneath); a dress, especially a mantle; apparel, cloth(-es, -ing), garment, raiment. Compare שַׂלְמָה.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שׂמל (ś-m-l) — covering, clothing, wrapping

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8040 שְׂמֹאול with his left side
H8042 שְׂמָאלִי the left-side one

Word Forms

19 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8071-14 שִׂמְלֹתָ֔י/ו simelotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms his clothes his outer garments 4
H8071-12 שִׂמְלֹתָ֑/ם simelotam HNcfpc/Sp3mp their clothes their outer garments 3
H8071-03 הַ/שִּׂמְלָ֗ה hasimelah HTd/Ncfsa the garment the outer covering 3
H8071-16 וּ/שְׂמָלֹ֑ת usemalot HC/Ncfpa and clothing and cloaks 2
H8071-09 שִׂמְלַ֨ת simelat HNcfsc garment outer garment of 2
H8071-18 וְ/שִׂמְלָֽה vesimelah HC/Ncfsa and clothing and outer garment 2
H8071-08 שִׂמְלָ֣ה simelah HNcfsa a cloak outer covering garment 2
H8071-05 שְׂמָלֹ֑ת semalot HNcfpa of clothes outer garments 2
H8071-06 שמלת/ך shmltkh HNcfsc/Sp2fs your-cloak your cloak 1
H8071-07 שמלת/ו shmltv HNcfsc/Sp3ms his clothes his outer garment 1

Occurrences in Scripture

31 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8071-03 Genesis 9:23 הַ/שִּׂמְלָ֗ה hasimelah HTd/Ncfsa the garment the outer covering
H8071-15 Genesis 35:2 שִׂמְלֹתֵי/כֶֽם simeloteykhem HNcfpc/Sp2mp your clothes your cloaks
H8071-14 Genesis 37:34 שִׂמְלֹתָ֔י/ו simelotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms his clothes his outer garments
H8071-14 Genesis 41:14 שִׂמְלֹתָ֔י/ו simelotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms his clothes his outer garments
H8071-12 Genesis 44:13 שִׂמְלֹתָ֑/ם simelotam HNcfpc/Sp3mp their clothes their outer garments
H8071-05 Genesis 45:22 שְׂמָלֹ֑ת semalot HNcfpa of clothes outer garments
H8071-05 Genesis 45:22 שְׂמָלֹֽת semalot-2 HNcfpa of clothes outer garments
H8071-16 Exodus 3:22 וּ/שְׂמָלֹ֑ת usemalot HC/Ncfpa and clothing and cloaks
H8071-02 Exodus 12:34 בְּ/שִׂמְלֹתָ֖/ם besimelotam HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp in their clothes in their outer garments
H8071-16 Exodus 12:35 וּ/שְׂמָלֹֽת usemalot HC/Ncfpa and clothing and cloaks
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