### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma שַׂלְמָה (salmâh, `{{H8008}}`) is identified as a transposition or variant of שִׂמְלָה (simlâh, `{{H8007}}`). Both terms denote a "garment," "dress," or "raiment," specifically referring to an outer cloak or mantle. This piece of clothing served multiple essential functions in ancient Israelite society: as a primary covering for warmth and modesty, as a blanket for sleeping, and often as a valuable possession that could be given as a pledge. Its semantic range thus encompasses both the practical utility of an everyday covering and its potential as an item of legal or social significance. While שִׂמְלָה is far more common, שַׂלְמָה carries the same fundamental meaning, with its limited occurrences highlighting specific contextual nuances.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term שַׂלְמָה (salmâh, `{{H8008}}`) appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in two distinct contexts, both of which underscore the garment's importance beyond mere covering:
1. **Legal Context:** In [[Deuteronomy 22:17]], שַׂלְמָה is crucial evidence in a legal dispute concerning a man who falsely accuses his new wife of not being a virgin. The verse states, "And they shall spread the garment (שַׂלְמָה) before the elders of the city." Here, the "garment" refers to the blood-stained sheet from the wedding night, serving as tangible proof of the bride's virginity. This usage highlights the garment's role as a silent witness, imbued with legal and moral weight, directly impacting the woman's honor and life. It underscores the profound significance of physical objects in ancient jurisprudence and the high value placed on female purity within the covenant community.
2. **Socio-Economic Context:** In [[Isaiah 3:6]], the term appears in a prophetic lament describing the societal collapse and moral decay in Judah and Jerusalem. The prophet envisions a scene where a desperate populace appeals to anyone with some semblance of status to lead them, saying, "You have a garment (שַׂלְמָה), be our ruler." In this context, the "garment" symbolizes not just wealth, but also the outward appearance of stability, prosperity, or even a mantle of authority that might qualify someone for leadership in a time of crisis. The presence of a proper outer garment suggests a person of means or standing, contrasting sharply with the destitution and disarray predicted for the nation. This usage reveals how clothing could denote social status and even potential for governance.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is שִׂמְלָה (simlâh, `{{H8007}}`), from which שַׂלְמָה is derived. שִׂמְלָה is a broader term for an outer garment or cloak, often serving as a covering, a blanket for the poor ([[Exodus 22:26-27]]; [[Deuteronomy 24:12-13]]), or a symbol of mourning when torn ([[2 Samuel 13:31]]). Its usage highlights the garment's role in daily life, legal pledges, and expressions of grief.
Other significant Hebrew words for clothing include:
* לְבוּשׁ (levush, `{{H3830}}`): A general term for clothing or attire.
* כְּתֹנֶת (kethoneth, `{{H3680}}`): An inner tunic or shirt, often associated with Joseph's "coat of many colors" ([[Genesis 37:3]]).
* מְעִיל (me'il, `{{H4594}}`): A robe or mantle, often of finer quality, worn by priests, kings, or people of high status ([[1 Samuel 2:19]]; [[Exodus 28:31]]).
Beyond specific garments, the concept of clothing in the Bible is intertwined with:
* **Modesty and Purity:** God provides garments for Adam and Eve after the Fall ([[Genesis 3:21]]), establishing clothing as a sign of human dignity and covering for sin. Laws regarding nakedness ([[Exodus 20:26]]; [[Deuteronomy 22:5]]) emphasize modesty and the distinction between genders.
* **Status and Authority:** Priestly garments ([[Exodus 28]]) signify sacred office; royal robes denote kingship.
* **Mourning and Repentance:** Tearing garments ([[Genesis 37:34]]; [[Job 1:20]]) and wearing sackcloth ([[Isaiah 20:2]]) are common expressions of grief or contrition.
* **Divine Provision and Care:** The prohibition against keeping a poor person's garment overnight as a pledge underscores God's compassion for the vulnerable ([[Exodus 22:26-27]]).
### Theological Significance
While שַׂלְמָה itself appears in limited contexts, its connection to the broader concept of "garment" (especially שִׂמְלָה) allows for significant theological reflection.
1. **Divine Provision and Human Dignity:** From the very beginning, God clothed humanity after the Fall ([[Genesis 3:21]]), signifying His merciful provision and the restoration of a measure of dignity. Clothing became essential for human existence, protecting from the elements and covering shame.
2. **Moral and Legal Order:** The use of שַׂלְמָה in [[Deuteronomy 22:17]] speaks to the meticulous nature of God's law, which sought to protect the innocent and uphold the sanctity of marriage. The garment becomes a tangible symbol of purity and truth within the covenant community, reflecting God's demand for righteousness and justice among His people.
3. **Social Justice and Compassion:** The broader laws concerning garments (e.g., not retaining a poor person's cloak overnight) reveal God's deep concern for the marginalized and vulnerable. Clothing is not merely property but a fundamental necessity, and its deprivation is a serious injustice.
4. **Metaphor for Spiritual State:** Beyond its physical utility, clothing often serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual realities. Believers are called to "put on" righteousness, salvation, and Christ Himself ([[Isaiah 61:10]]; [[Romans 13:14]]; [[Colossians 3:12]]). Conversely, spiritual nakedness represents shame, sin, or lack of preparedness ([[Revelation 3:17]]). The garment, therefore, transcends its material form to signify one's standing before God and humanity.
### Summary
The Hebrew word שַׂלְמָה (salmâh, `{{H8008}}`) is a less common variant of שִׂמְלָה (simlâh, `{{H8007}}`), referring to an outer garment or cloak. Its specific biblical occurrences, though few, are highly significant. In [[Deuteronomy 22:17]], it functions as crucial legal evidence of a bride's purity, highlighting the law's concern for justice and moral integrity. In [[Isaiah 3:6]], it symbolizes social standing or potential authority in a time of societal collapse, underscoring the garment's role as a marker of status. Broadly, the concept of "garment" in the biblical worldview is multifaceted, encompassing practical necessity, legal significance, social status, and profound theological symbolism. From God's initial act of clothing humanity to the metaphorical "garments of salvation," clothing reflects divine provision, human dignity, moral order, and spiritual transformation. Thus, שַׂלְמָה, though rare, contributes to the rich tapestry of meaning associated with clothing in the sacred texts.
TRV