The Greek word rhákos, represented by G4470, is defined as a "rag" or piece of cloth. It appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning is derived from ῥήγνυμι, which relates to the concept of tearing or breaking.
In scripture, G4470 is used exclusively within a parable told by Jesus. He explains that no one puts a piece of new cloth on an old garment G2440. The reason given is that the new patch will pull away from the old garment, making the tear, or "rent" G4978, even worse (Matthew 9:16, Mark 2:21). This specific and vivid illustration uses rhákos to represent a new element that is incompatible with an old structure.
Several related words provide context for the parable where rhákos appears:
- G2440 himátion: This word means garment, raiment, or vesture. It is the "old garment" that receives the piece of new cloth. Elsewhere, it is used for the raiment of Jesus parted by soldiers Luke 23:34 and for the "white raiment" of those who overcome Revelation 3:5.
- G4978 schísma: This is the "rent" or tear that is made worse by the new patch. It literally means a split or gap, but it is also used figuratively to describe a "division" or "schism" within the church (1 Corinthians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 12:25).
The theological weight of G4470 is found entirely within its parabolic use. It illustrates a key principle through a simple, everyday object.
- The Incompatibility of New and Old: The central lesson is that attempting to patch an old system with a new component is destructive. The new cloth G4470 does not mend the old garment but instead worsens the tear (Matthew 9:16, Mark 2:21).
- The Nature of the Tear: The resulting damage is described by the word schísma G4978. This same term is used to warn against "divisions" and "schism" among believers 1 Corinthians 1:10, connecting the physical tearing of a garment to the danger of spiritual or communal division.
- Symbolism of Garments: The garment G2440 itself carries significant symbolic weight in other passages, often representing a person's spiritual state or identity, such as the pure "white raiment" of the faithful in Sardis Revelation 3:4.
In summary, rhákos G4470 is a term for a piece of cloth used exclusively to deliver a powerful spiritual metaphor. While it only appears twice, its context within the parable of the new cloth on an old garment is deeply significant. It serves as a caution against the improper mixing of old and new forms, showing that such an action leads not to restoration but to a greater rent G4978, a concept that extends from a literal tear to figurative division. The word demonstrates how a mundane object can be used to convey a profound lesson about spiritual integrity.
TRV