English · KJV
H4254

מַחֲלָצָה

machălâtsâh /makh-al-aw-tsaw'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom חָלַץ
Meaninga mantle (as easily drawn off)
KJV usagechangeable suit of apparel, change of raiment.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of machălâtsâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word machălâtsâh, represented by H4254, denotes a mantle (as easily drawn off) or a changeable suit of apparel. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. The word signifies a special or festive garment, often one that can be changed or taken off.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H4254 is used in two distinct contexts. In Isaiah, it appears in a list of fine apparel, including mantles H4595 and crisping pins H2754, suggesting its status as a luxury item Isaiah 3:22. In Zechariah, the word carries deep symbolic weight. After Joshua's filthy H6674 garments H899 are commanded to be taken away, he is promised new change of raiment H4254 as a sign that his iniquity H5771 has passed from him Zechariah 3:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words illuminate the meaning of H4254:

  • H3847 lâbash (clothe): This verb describes the action of being given the change of raiment. In Zechariah's vision, God declares, "I will clothe thee with change of raiment" Zechariah 3:4, linking the garment to a divine act.
  • H5771 ʻâvôn (iniquity): This term is central to the symbolic meaning of H4254. The new garment is bestowed only after the declaration, "I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee" Zechariah 3:4, connecting the clothing to moral and spiritual cleansing.
  • H5493 çûwr (to turn off): This word is used for the command to Take away the filthy garments from Joshua Zechariah 3:4, setting up the contrast between the removed state of sin and the bestowed state of righteousness represented by the H4254.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H4254 is primarily seen in its symbolic use.

  • A Symbol of Forgiveness: The "change of raiment" is given as a direct consequence of iniquity being removed. It visually represents God's act of pardoning sin and restoring a person to a clean state Zechariah 3:4.
  • A Representation of a New Status: The exchange of filthy H6674 clothes for change of raiment H4254 signifies a transformation in standing before God. The old status, defiled by iniquity H5771, is replaced with a new, honored position.
  • Divine Provision: The garment is not earned but is given by God's command. After the old is taken away, God himself promises to clothe H3847 the individual, highlighting that this new standing is a divine gift Zechariah 3:4.

Summary

In summary, H4254, while appearing only twice, carries significant meaning. It functions both as a literal term for a fine, interchangeable garment and as a powerful theological symbol. Its use in Zechariah illustrates the transition from a state of defilement and iniquity H5771 to one of forgiveness and divine acceptance, encapsulated in the act of receiving a "change of raiment" from God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מַּחֲלָצוֹת

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H4595 מַעֲטָפָה from עָטַף; a cloak; mantle. H2754 חָרִיט or חָרִט; from the same as חֶרֶט; properly, cut out (or hollow), i.e. (by implication) a pocket; bag, crisping pin. H6674 צוֹא or צֹא; from an unused root meaning to issue; soiled (as if excrementitious); filthy. H899 בֶּגֶד from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, H5771 עָוֺן or עָווֹן; (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 (אֲבַד)), from עָוָה; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil; fault, iniquity, mischeif, puni H3847 לָבַשׁ or לָבֵשׁ; a primitive root; properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or anot

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Isaiah and Zechariah (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Isaiah
1
Zechariah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.