In biblical times, the term "cloke" refers to an outer garment or covering, often used for protection against the elements. The cloke is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, symbolizing various spiritual and moral themes.

Old Testament Context

The concept of a cloke, or outer garment, is rooted in the customs and daily life of ancient Israel. In the Old Testament, garments were significant not only for their practical use but also for their symbolic meanings. For instance, in Deuteronomy 24:13, the law instructs that if a man takes a neighbor's cloak as a pledge, he must return it by sunset so that the neighbor may sleep in it. This reflects the cloke's essential role in providing warmth and protection, as well as the importance of compassion and justice in the community.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the cloke is mentioned in several key passages, often carrying deeper spiritual implications. In Matthew 5:40, Jesus teaches, "If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well." This instruction is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus emphasizes the principles of non-retaliation and radical generosity. The cloke here symbolizes personal rights and possessions, which believers are called to hold loosely in the pursuit of peace and love.

Another significant mention is found in Mark 10:50, where Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, throws aside his cloak when Jesus calls him. "Throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus." This act symbolizes Bartimaeus's faith and readiness to leave behind his old life for the new life that Jesus offers. The cloke, in this context, represents the burdens and limitations of his past.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

The cloke in biblical literature often symbolizes protection, identity, and status. It can represent the covering of God's righteousness, as seen in Isaiah 61:10, where the prophet rejoices, "For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness." This imagery highlights the transformative power of God's grace, covering the believer's sins and bestowing a new identity in Christ.

Moreover, the cloke can also signify the call to humility and service. In John 13:4, Jesus lays aside His garments to wash the disciples' feet, demonstrating servanthood and love. This act challenges believers to lay aside their own "cloaks" of pride and self-interest to serve others selflessly.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the biblical teachings surrounding the cloke encourage believers to consider their own lives and possessions. The willingness to give up one's cloke, as Jesus taught, reflects a heart of generosity and trust in God's provision. It also calls Christians to examine their spiritual "cloaks"—the attitudes and behaviors that define their walk with God—and to ensure they align with the teachings of Christ.

Overall, the cloke serves as a powerful metaphor in Scripture, inviting believers to embrace the virtues of humility, generosity, and faith, while trusting in the protective and transformative power of God's righteousness.(n. & v.) See Cloak.CLOAK; CLOKE

klok, (me`il, simlah, etc.; himation, stole, etc.): "Cloke" is retained in the English Revised Version, as in the King James Version, instead of modern "cloak" (American Revised Version). In the Old Testament, me'il (compare New Testament himation) uniformly stands for the ordinary upper garment worn over the coat (kethoneth). In Matthew 5:40 both "cloak" and "coat" are mentioned together; compare Luke 6:29. In size and material the "cloak" differed according to age and sex, class and occupation, but in shape it was like our mantle or shawl. It might be sewed up to have the surplice form of the robe of the Ephod (Exodus 39:23), or be worn loose and open like a Roman toga, the Arabic Abaa, or the Geneva gown. This is the "garment" referred to in Genesis 39:12 Exodus 22:26 Deuteronomy 24:13; "the robe" that Jonathan "stripped himself of" and gave to David (1 Samuel 18:4); "the robe" of Saul, "the robe" in which it is said the "old man" (Samuel) was "covered" (1 Samuel 28:14); and in the New Testament "the best robe" put on the returning prodigal (Luke 15:22). Paul's "cloak" that he left at Troas (2 Timothy 4:13; phailones, Latin, paenula, Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek phelones), it has been suggested, "may have been a light mantle like a cashmere dust-cloak, in which the books and parchment were wrapped"

(HDB, under the word).

Figuratively: The word lent itself easily and naturally to figurative uses. We find Paul (1 Thessalonians 2:5) disclaiming using "a cloak of covetousness" (compare 1 Peter 2:16) and Jesus (John 15:22) saying, "Now they have no excuse ("cloak") for their sin." Some such usage seems common to all languages; compare English "palliate."

See DRESS.

George B. Eager

5341. phelones -- cloak.
... cloak. By transposition for a derivative probably of phaino (as showing outside
the other garments); a mantle (surtout) -- cloke. see GREEK phaino. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5341.htm - 6k

1942. epikalumma -- a cover, veil
... cloak. From epikalupto; a covering, ie (figuratively) pretext -- cloke. see GREEK
epikalupto. (epikalumma) -- 1 Occurrence. 1941, 1942. epikalumma. 1943 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1942.htm - 6k

4392. prophasis -- a pretense
... pretense, outward showing. From a compound of pro and phaino; an outward showing,
ie Pretext -- cloke, colour, pretence, show. see GREEK pro. see GREEK phaino. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4392.htm - 6k

2440. himation -- an outer garment, a cloak, robe
... Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi (to put on); a dress (inner or outer) --
apparel, cloke, clothes, garment, raiment, robe, vesture. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2440.htm - 7k

4598. meil -- a robe
... cloak, coat, mantle, robe. From ma'al in the sense of covering; a robe (ie Upper
and outer garment) -- cloke, coat, mantle, robe. see HEBREW ma'al. 4597, 4598 ...
/hebrew/4598.htm - 6k

Tenth Commandment
... In his epistle to the Thessalonians Paul speaks of "the cloke of covetousness."
Covetous men use it as a cloke, and call it prudence, and foresight. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm

The World's Hatred, as Christ Saw It
... If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have
no cloke for their sin. He that hateth Me, hateth My Father also. ...
/.../the worlds hatred as christ.htm

Human Responsibility
... at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens. "If I had not come and spoken unto them,
they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.""John 15:22. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/human responsibility.htm

Liturgy of St. Dionysius, Bishop of the Athenians .
... the sublime throne of Thy majesty, and to handle the sacred vessels of Thy ministry
with our impure hands: take away from us, O Lord, the cloke of iniquity in ...
/.../letters of dionysius the areopagite/liturgy of st dionysius bishop.htm

The Life of Mr. William Vetch.
... Wallace, he undertook."And having disguised himself with a baggage horse, an old
hat and cloke, Mr. M'Cormick conveyed him a little way, minding him of ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr william 3.htm

Matt. xxiii. 1-3.
... were depraved, He doth not depose them from their dignity; to them rendering their
condemnation heavier, and to His disciples leaving no cloke for disobedience ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxii matt xxiii 1-3.htm

Matt. xxiii. 14
... every one is worthy of vengeance who doeth any evil thing; but he that is deriving
even the reason for so doing from godliness, and is using this cloke for his ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxiii matt xxiii 14.htm

Non-Resistance
... other also.40. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy
coat, let him have thy cloke also.41. And whosoever shall ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/non-resistance.htm

Some Peculiarities of John's Gospel.
... and long continued work in the city of Jerusalem and Judea, sojourns of many months
at the time, and such revelations of himself as left "no cloke for their sin ...
/.../some peculiarities of johns gospel.htm

Christ Crucified is an Offence and Foolishness to those who ...
... having received the faith: they not knowing the Lord, you when you have confessed
Him as God: they under cover of zeal for the law, you under the cloke of your ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xii christ crucified is.htm

Cloke (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n. & v.) See Cloak. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CLOAK; CLOKE. ... George B. Eager. Multi-Version Concordance Cloke (7 Occurrences). ...
/c/cloke.htm - 10k

Cloak (73 Occurrences)
... The word translated "cloke", ie, outer garment, in Matthew 5:40 is in its plural
form used of garments in general (Matthew 17:2; 26:65). ... CLOAK; CLOKE. ...
/c/cloak.htm - 30k

Dress (38 Occurrences)
... that this Jewish "outer garment" closely resembled, if it was not identical with,
the himation of the Greeks (see Jew Encyclopedia, article "Cloke" and 1-vol ...
/d/dress.htm - 53k

Flattering (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know,
nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: (KJV DBY WBS NAS). ...
/f/flattering.htm - 9k

Maliciousness (2 Occurrences)
... KJV ASV WBS). 1 Peter 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke
of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (KJV WBS). ...
/m/maliciousness.htm - 7k

Clopas (1 Occurrence)

/c/clopas.htm - 7k

Comest (50 Occurrences)
... (ASV). 2 Timothy 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest,
bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. ...
/c/comest.htm - 22k

Clogging (1 Occurrence)

/c/clogging.htm - 6k

Breast-plate (22 Occurrences)
... as a breast-plate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments
of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. (WBS). ...
/b/breast-plate.htm - 12k

Liberty (32 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). 1 Peter 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty
for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/l/liberty.htm - 20k

Cloke: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus