from פָּסַס; properly, the palm (of the hand) or sole (of the foot) (compare פַּס); by implication (plural); a long and sleeved tunic (perhaps simply a wide one; from the original sense of the root, i.e. of many breadths); (divers) colours.
Transliteration:paç
Pronunciation:pas
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word פַּס (paç), Strong's number `{{H6446}}`, carries a fascinating dual semantic range, rooted in its etymological connection to the verb פָּסַס (pasas, `{{H6450}}`), meaning "to stretch out" or "to spread." Primarily, paç refers to the flat, extended surfaces of the body: the "palm" of the hand or the "sole" of the foot. This literal meaning underscores a sense of flatness or expanse.
By implication, and more prominently in its biblical usage, paç describes a specific type of garment. This transition in meaning is understood by scholars in a few ways, all drawing from the root's sense of extension. It can refer to a tunic that is "long," extending to the palms or soles, hence "long-sleeved" and "full-length." Alternatively, it might denote a garment of "many breadths" or "wide," implying a voluminous or luxurious construction. The common translation "of many colors" (as in the King James Version for Joseph's coat) is an interpretive rendering, possibly derived from the idea of a garment woven with multiple strips of cloth (many breadths) that could be of different colors, or simply reflecting a garment that was highly decorative and thus likely colorful. However, the primary sense derived from the root leans towards the garment's unusual length and breadth, signifying its distinctiveness rather than its specific chromatic pattern, though that may have been a feature.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word פַּס (paç) appears only a handful of times in the Hebrew Bible, but each instance is highly significant, primarily in construct with the word כְּתֹנֶת (kethoneth, `{{H3801}}`, "tunic" or "coat").
The most famous occurrences are in the narrative of Joseph:
* [[Genesis 37:3]]: "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a kethoneth passim." This garment, often translated "coat of many colors," clearly signifies Jacob's exceptional favoritism towards Joseph. It marked Joseph as distinct from his brothers, who were engaged in manual labor, as such a garment would impede work. It was a symbol of his elevated status, perhaps even hinting at a princely or noble position, or designating him as the favored heir.
* [[Genesis 37:23]]: When Joseph's brothers seized him, "they stripped Joseph of his kethoneth passim that was on him." The stripping of this garment is a powerful act of dehumanization and a symbolic removal of his favored status and identity.
* [[Genesis 37:32]]: The brothers then dipped the kethoneth passim in blood to deceive Jacob, confirming its central role in their plot.
The other crucial occurrence is in the account of Tamar:
* [[2 Samuel 13:18]]: "Now she was wearing a kethoneth passim, for such robes were worn by the king’s virgin daughters." This verse explicitly states that this type of garment was characteristic of royal virgins, further solidifying its association with high status, purity, and perhaps a life of leisure or protection from manual labor.
* [[2 Samuel 13:19]]: After Amnon's assault, Tamar "tore her kethoneth passim that was on her, and put ashes on her head, and went away crying aloud." The tearing of this distinctive garment symbolizes her defilement, shame, and the violent destruction of her status and purity.
In both narratives, the kethoneth passim is not merely an article of clothing but a potent symbol of identity, status, favor, and vulnerability. Its presence and subsequent removal or destruction are pivotal moments that drive the plot and underscore the characters' changing circumstances.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root verb פָּסַס (pasas, `{{H6450}}`), from which פַּס (paç) is derived. This root's meaning of "to stretch out," "to spread," or "to extend" directly informs the understanding of paç as referring to something long, wide, or extensive, whether a body part (palm/sole) or a garment (long-sleeved, full-length, or of many breadths).
Another crucial related term is כְּתֹנֶת (kethoneth, `{{H3801}}`), the generic Hebrew word for "tunic" or "coat." The specific qualification passim appended to kethoneth transforms a common garment into one of unique significance.
Concepts intrinsically linked to paç include:
* **Favoritism and Distinction:** The garment marks Joseph as Jacob's preferred son and Tamar as a royal virgin.
* **Status and Identity:** It defines the wearer's position within their family or society.
* **Vulnerability and Humiliation:** The stripping or tearing of the garment signifies loss of status, purity, and dignity.
* **Divine Providence:** In Joseph's case, the garment, while a catalyst for suffering, ultimately plays a part in God's larger plan of salvation for his people.
### Theological Significance
The kethoneth passim serves as a powerful theological symbol in the narratives where it appears. In Joseph's story, it is a tangible representation of divine election and favor, echoing God's choice of Israel and setting Joseph apart for a unique purpose. Yet, this very symbol of favor becomes the catalyst for profound suffering and betrayal at the hands of his own brothers. This paradox highlights how God's chosen ones may endure trials, and how human sin (jealousy, deception) can interact with divine sovereignty to achieve a greater purpose. The stripping of Joseph's coat can be seen as an early biblical type, prefiguring the humiliation and suffering of Christ, who was also stripped of his garments before his crucifixion, enduring shame for the sake of others. Joseph's journey from favored son to enslaved prisoner, and ultimately to a position of power that saves his family, underscores themes of redemptive suffering and divine faithfulness.
In Tamar's narrative, the kethoneth passim symbolizes her royal purity and protected status. Its violent tearing after her assault dramatically illustrates the violation of her person and the destruction of her honor. This episode serves as a stark commentary on the consequences of sin within the royal family, exposing the depths of depravity and the profound suffering it inflicts, particularly upon the vulnerable. The garment's fate reflects the shattering of an ideal, a sacred trust, and the profound injustice committed.
Across both accounts, the kethoneth passim transcends its material reality to embody complex themes of identity, privilege, betrayal, suffering, and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan amidst human brokenness. It reminds us that even seemingly minor details in biblical narratives can carry profound theological weight.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פַּס (paç, `{{H6446}}`) primarily denotes the "palm" of the hand or "sole" of the foot, derived from a root meaning "to stretch out." By extension, it describes a distinctive garment, a kethoneth passim, characterized by its unusual length, breadth, or perhaps its vibrant colors. This garment is famously associated with Joseph in [[Genesis 37:3]] and Tamar in [[2 Samuel 13:18]]. In both contexts, it functions as a powerful symbol of special status, favoritism, and identity. Its removal or destruction signifies profound humiliation, loss, and suffering. Theologically, the kethoneth passim serves as a catalyst for pivotal events, illustrating themes of divine election, human sin, redemptive suffering, and the outworking of God's sovereign plan through the trials of His chosen ones.
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