Simlah

Strong’s Hebrew 8071. שִׂמְלָה

Definition: The common cloak or mantle; garments, clothing or cloth.

Heavy wool, possibly linen. Protection from rain and cold, and at night peasant Israelites could wrap themselves in this garment for warmth.

  • Gen 9:23 (Used by Japheth and Shem to cover their father Noah’s nakedness)
  • Gen 35:2
  • Gen 37:34 (Jacob tore his when learned of Joseph’s apparent death)
  • Gen 41:14 (Joseph changed his “simlah” {possibly just denoting his general clothing here} before seeing Pharoah)
  • Gen 44:13 (Sons of Jacob tear clothes)
  • Gen 45:22
  • Exo 3:22
  • Exo 12:34 (The front of the simlah also could be arranged in wide folds and all kinds of products could be carried in it. Hebrews carried goods on their shoulders or back using simlahs.)
  • Exo 19:10, 14
  • Exo 22:27
  • Deu 8:4
  • Deu 10:18
  • Deu 21:13
  • Deu 22:3
  • Deu 22:5 (Men and women should not exchange {probably just denoting clothing in general})
  • Deu 22:17 (Virgin’s evidence)
  • Jos 7:6 (Joshua tore)
  • Judges 8:25 (A good spread for collecting donations)
  • Ruth 3:3
  • 1 Sam 21:9
  • 2 Sam 12:20
  • Proverbs 30:4
  • Isaiah 4:1
  • Isaiah 9:5

Every respectable man generally wore the simlah over the kethoneth (See Isaiah 20:2-3), but since the simlah hindered work, it was either left home or removed when working.

Translated as “himation” in the Greek Septuagint.

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