ἄρραφος (arraphos)
arraphos
seamless
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The rare Greek word arraphos describes something that is completely seamless, literally "not sewn." It derives from a negative prefix combined with a root related to sewing or stitching. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in John 19:23, where the Gospel writer notes that Jesus’ tunic was woven in one piece from top to bottom.
This specific detail highlights the garment’s unique construction. Unlike other clothing items that were pieced together from separate strips of fabric, this tunic required a single, continuous weaving process. The term emphasizes the integrity and wholeness of the material, distinguishing it from garments made by joining multiple sections.
Translators render arraphos as "seamless" to capture this technical distinction. The word serves as a precise descriptor for the physical reality of Jesus’ clothing at the moment of his crucifixion, noting that the soldiers divided his outer garments but left this particular item intact because of its unified design.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word arraphos describes a garment woven in one continuous piece, with no seams to break or separate. In John 19:23, we learn that Jesus wore this seamless tunic during His crucifixion. When soldiers divided His other clothing, they left this single item intact because its unified design made it valuable and difficult to tear apart.
For your faith, this detail points to the wholeness of Christ’s mission and person. He did not come in pieces; His work on the cross was complete and whole. Just as the tunic held together without stitching, God’s plan for salvation stands firm and undivided. You can trust that what Jesus began, He will finish with integrity.
This image offers comfort when life feels fragmented. While circumstances may pull at you from different directions, your hope rests in One who is perfectly whole. His unity brings stability to your spirit, reminding you that God’s love does not fracture under pressure but remains complete through every trial.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- seamless,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἄραφος,1×
Key Verses
-
John 19:23
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
This verse uniquely identifies the tunic as woven from top to bottom without seams, highlighting its physical integrity during the distribution of Jesus' garments.