Lexical Summary salmah: Garment, cloak, robe Original Word: שַׂלְמָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance clothes, garment, raiment Transp. For simlah; a dress -- clothes, garment, raiment. see HEBREW simlah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom simlah (by transposition) Definition a wrapper, mantle NASB Translation cloak (5), clothes (6), clothing (1), garment (1), garments (3), robe* (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. שַׂלְמָה noun feminine id. (transposed from שִׂמְלָה); — absolute ׳שׂ Exodus 22:8 +, construct שַׂלְמַת Exodus 22:25; suffix שַׂלְמָתוֺ Deuteronomy 24:13; plural שְׂלָמוֺת Joshua 9:5 +, suffix שַׂלְמֹתֵיהֶם Joshua 9:13, etc.; — garment (of man or [Song of Solomon 4:11] woman): outer garment Exodus 22:8; Exodus 22:25 (E), Joshua 9:5,13 (JE), Deuteronomy 24:13; 1 Kings 11:29,30; Psalm 104:2 (figurative); in General clothes (plural) Deuteronomy 29:4; Nehemiah 9:21; Job 9:31; Songs 4:11; as costly gifts 1 Kings 10:25 2Chronicles 9:24; as booty Joshua 22:8 (late). — Micah 2:8 read probably שֹׁלְמֹה) Roo, RSProph. vii. N. 4), or שֹׁלְמִים (We Now GASm), him (those) at peace (with him), compare ᵐ5 ᵑ6. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope שַׂלְמָה designates the common outer cloak of ancient Israel—an ample piece of cloth that served as daytime attire, blanket by night, collateral for loans, royal gift, prophetic object lesson, and poetic symbol. Everyday Function in Ancient Israel The cloak was a person’s portable shelter. Because the poor often owned little else, losing it meant exposure to cold and danger. Its indispensability underlies every legal, ethical, and symbolic use. Legal and Compassionate Dimensions • Exodus 22:26 commands, “If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset”. These statutes preserve personal dignity and teach lenders to subjugate profit to mercy—principles still vital for Christian stewardship and benevolence. Divine Provision and Faithfulness • Deuteronomy 29:5 and Nehemiah 9:21 recall forty wilderness years during which “Your clothes did not wear out.” The cloak became testimony that Israel’s survival rested on God, not material resources—a reminder to trust divine care in ministry rather than human reserves. Vehicle of Deception and Discernment Joshua 9:5, 13 narrates the Gibeonites’ stratagem: “Worn-out sacks and old wineskins… old garments.” Their cloaks disguised proximity as distance, prompting Israel’s leaders to make a hasty treaty. The episode underscores the need for prayerful discernment when appearances mislead. Instrument of Royal Generosity Visitors to Solomon “brought… garments” (1 Kings 10:25; 2 Chronicles 9:24). Joshua 22:8 lists “an abundance of garments” among the spoils shared with the Transjordan tribes. Fine cloaks functioned as currency, tribute, and celebration of covenant fellowship. Prophetic Sign-Act and National Division Ahijah met Jeroboam wearing a new cloak, “tore it into twelve pieces,” and delivered ten to the rebel (1 Kings 11:29-30). The act transformed clothing into a living prophecy that the kingdom would split for Solomon’s apostasy, yet Judah would remain for David’s sake. Scripture binds historical events to God’s unbreakable word. Poetry and Worship Imagery • Psalm 104:2 exalts the Creator “covering Yourself with light as with a garment,” using the cloak to express divine transcendence. Ethical Warnings Against Oppression Micah 2:8 rebukes oppressors who “strip off the robe along with the garment from those who pass by,” equating theft of a cloak with personal violence. The prophet demands social justice rooted in covenant love. Theological and Ministry Reflections From Sinai’s law to Micah’s lament, the cloak illustrates God’s concern for both physical need and moral integrity. For believers: Forms and Transliterations בְּשַׂלְמָ֣ה בְּשַׂלְמָת֖וֹ בַּשַּׂלְמָ֥ה בשלמה בשלמתו וּבִשְׂלָמ֖וֹת וּשְׂלָמ֥וֹת וּשְׂלָמוֹת֙ ובשלמות ושלמות כַּשַּׂלְמָ֑ה כשלמה שַׂלְמַ֣ת שַׂלְמָ֔ה שַׂלְמָ֜ה שַׂלְמֹֽתֵיהֶם֙ שַׂלְמֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ שַׂלְמֹתַ֖יִךְ שַׂלְמוֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙ שַׂלְמוֹתָֽי׃ שלמה שלמותי׃ שלמותינו שלמת שלמתיהם שלמתיך שלמתיכם baś·śal·māh bassalMah baśśalmāh bə·śal·mā·ṯōw bə·śal·māh besalMah bəśalmāh besalmaTo bəśalmāṯōw kaś·śal·māh kassalMah kaśśalmāh śal·māh śal·maṯ śal·mō·ṯa·yiḵ śal·mō·ṯê·hem śal·mō·ṯê·ḵem śal·mō·w·ṯāy śal·mō·w·ṯê·nū salMah śalmāh salMat śalmaṯ salmoTai salmoTayich śalmōṯayiḵ śalmōṯêhem salmoteiChem salmoteiHem salmoTeinu śalmōṯêḵem śalmōwṯāy śalmōwṯênū ū·ḇiś·lā·mō·wṯ ū·śə·lā·mō·wṯ ūḇiślāmōwṯ uselaMot ūśəlāmōwṯ uvislaMotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 22:9 HEB: שֶׂ֨ה עַל־ שַׂלְמָ֜ה עַל־ כָּל־ NAS: for sheep, for clothing, [or] for any KJV: for sheep, for raiment, [or] for any manner of lost thing, INT: sheep for clothing for any Exodus 22:26 Deuteronomy 24:13 Deuteronomy 29:5 Joshua 9:5 Joshua 9:13 Joshua 22:8 1 Kings 10:25 1 Kings 11:29 1 Kings 11:30 2 Chronicles 9:24 Nehemiah 9:21 Job 9:31 Psalm 104:2 Songs 4:11 Micah 2:8 16 Occurrences |
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