σιμικίνθιον (simikinthion)
simikinthion
apron
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun simikinthion refers to a workman’s apron, specifically a narrow linen garment worn around the waist. It is a Latin loanword that appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 19:12.
In this passage, Paul’s handkerchiefs and aprons were taken to the sick, resulting in their healing from diseases and expulsion of evil spirits. This unique usage highlights the physical nature of early Christian ministry, where objects associated with an apostle carried tangible power. The word itself denotes a practical tool for labor, grounding the miraculous event in the everyday reality of artisan work.
Because it is so rare, simikinthion offers a specific glimpse into the material culture of the first century. It reminds readers that the gospel spread through ordinary means and physical interactions, not just abstract teaching. The apron serves as a concrete symbol of service and the intersection of the divine with the mundane.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word simikinthion refers to a simple linen apron, the kind a worker wore to protect his clothes while doing manual labor. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 19:12, where items like this were taken to the sick. This detail shows that God often uses ordinary, everyday things to bring healing and hope. You do not need special status or perfect conditions to experience His power; He meets you in your daily life.
When we think of miracles, we might imagine grand scenes, but Scripture reminds us that God works through humble means. An apron is a tool for service, worn close to the body during hard work. Its mention here suggests that the apostle Paul’s faithful labor became a channel for grace. This encourages us that our own ordinary efforts, when offered to God, can carry spiritual weight.
Ultimately, this rare word points to the tangible nature of faith. God is not distant or abstract; He cares about physical needs and material reality. Whether through a simple cloth or a spoken word, His power reaches out to heal and restore. We can trust that He values the small, faithful steps we take in our daily routines.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- aprons1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σιμικίνθια1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 19:12
so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out.
This verse uniquely links a workman's apron to healing, showing how objects associated with Paul’s ministry carried tangible power.