Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, clothing was an essential aspect of daily life, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. The term "seam" refers to the line where two pieces of fabric are sewn together. In the context of the Bible, the concept of a seam is most notably mentioned in relation to the garments of Jesus Christ during His crucifixion.Biblical Reference: The most significant mention of a seam in the Bible is found in the account of Jesus' crucifixion. In the Gospel of John, the soldiers who crucified Jesus divided His garments among themselves. However, His tunic was unique: "Now the tunic was seamless, woven from top to bottom as a single piece. So they said to one another, 'Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.' This was to fulfill the Scripture: 'They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.' So this is what the soldiers did." (John 19:23-24) Symbolism and Significance: 1. Unity and Wholeness: The seamless tunic of Jesus is often interpreted as a symbol of unity and wholeness. The fact that it was woven in one piece from top to bottom signifies the completeness and perfection of Christ's ministry and His role as the High Priest. In the Old Testament, the high priest's garments were also made with great care and precision, symbolizing holiness and dedication to God. 2. Fulfillment of Prophecy: The soldiers' decision not to tear the tunic but to cast lots for it fulfilled the prophecy found in Psalm 22:18: "They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." This connection underscores the divine orchestration of events surrounding Jesus' death, highlighting the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the New Testament narrative. 3. Christ's Sacrifice: The seamless garment can also be seen as a representation of Christ's unbroken and perfect sacrifice. Just as the garment was not torn, Christ's sacrifice was complete and sufficient for the atonement of sin. This imagery reinforces the belief in the sufficiency of Christ's atonement for humanity's sins. Cultural Context: In the ancient Near East, clothing was a valuable commodity, often reflecting one's social status and identity. A seamless garment would have been considered a high-quality item, indicating the skill and care involved in its creation. The decision of the soldiers to cast lots for Jesus' tunic rather than divide it further emphasizes its value and uniqueness. Theological Implications: The seamless nature of Jesus' tunic invites reflection on the unity of the body of Christ, the Church. Just as the garment was whole and undivided, believers are called to maintain unity and harmony within the Church. The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his letters, urging Christians to be united in spirit and purpose (e.g., Ephesians 4:3-6). In summary, the mention of a seam, or rather the absence of one, in the context of Jesus' crucifixion carries deep theological and symbolic meaning. It points to the fulfillment of prophecy, the perfection of Christ's sacrifice, and the call for unity among His followers. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Grease; tallow; lard.2. (n.) The fold or line formed by sewing together two pieces of cloth or leather. 3. (n.) Hence, a line of junction; a joint; a suture, as on a ship, a floor, or other structure; the line of union, or joint, of two boards, planks, metal plates, etc. 4. (n.) A thin layer or stratum; a narrow vein between two thicker strata; as, a seam of coal. 5. (n.) A line or depression left by a cut or wound; a scar; a cicatrix. 6. (v. t.) To form a seam upon or of; to join by sewing together; to unite. 7. (v. t.) To mark with something resembling a seam; to line; to scar. 8. (v. t.) To make the appearance of a seam in, as in knitting a stocking; hence, to knit with a certain stitch, like that in such knitting. 9. (v. i.) To become ridgy; to crack open. 10. (n.) A denomination of weight or measure. 11. (n.) The quantity of eight bushels of grain. 12. (n.) The quantity of 120 pounds of glass. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SEAM; SEAMLESSsem, sem'-les: The coat or inner garment (chiton) of Jesus is described in John 19:23 as "without seam" (arrhaphos), i.e. woven in one piece. Greek 729. arraphos -- without seam, of a single piece ... without seam, of a single piece. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: arraphos Phonetic Spelling: (ar'-hhraf-os) Short Definition: not sewed, seamless ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/729.htm - 6k 690a. araphos -- unsewn, ie without seam 690. Araps -- unsewn, ie without seam Strong's Hebrew 4225. machbereth -- something joined, place of joining... coupling. From chabar; a junction, ie Seam or sewed piece -- coupling. see HEBREW chabar. 4224b, 4225. machbereth. 4226 . Strong's Numbers. /hebrew/4225.htm - 6k Library John Chapter xix. 23, 24 The Crucifixion. The Crucifixion. Mary at the Cross. An Eye-Witness's Account of the Crucifixion The Heart-Road to the Head. Knots. Of the Testimony of John to Jesus in Matthew's Gospel, "My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin ... Of the Concord Preserved among all the Four Evangelists on the ... Thesaurus Seam (3 Occurrences)... metal plates, etc. 4. (n.) A thin layer or stratum; a narrow vein between two thicker strata; as, a seam of coal. 5. (n.) A line ... /s/seam.htm - 8k Seamless (1 Occurrence) Coat (54 Occurrences) Seamen (6 Occurrences) Dress (38 Occurrences) Undergarment (1 Occurrence) Overcast (1 Occurrence) Whip (7 Occurrences) Woven (40 Occurrences) Including (90 Occurrences) Resources Seam: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Seam (3 Occurrences)John 19:23 Exodus 28:27 Exodus 39:20 Subtopics Related Terms |