שַׂלְמָה (sal.mah)
sal.mah
garment
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun salmah refers to a garment, specifically an outer cloak or mantle. It denotes the layer worn over other clothing, serving as a visible sign of status or identity in ancient Israelite society. With thirteen occurrences in the Old Testament, it appears most frequently in historical and poetic books such as Joshua, 1 Kings, and Song of Solomon.
This word distinguishes the outer wrapper from inner garments like tunics. In 1 Kings 2:32, for instance, it describes the cloak worn by Abner, highlighting its role as a marker of authority or office. Similarly, in Song of Solomon 5:3, the garment is part of the intimate imagery of daily life and preparation for marriage.
As an outer layer, salmah often carried symbolic weight beyond mere protection from weather. It could represent dignity, as when kings or leaders are described wearing it, or signify transition, such as in ritual contexts where garments are changed to mark a new phase. The term remains grounded in the physical reality of clothing while allowing for deeper cultural and narrative meaning.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word salmah refers to an outer cloak or mantle, the layer worn over other clothes in ancient Israel. It was more than just fabric for warmth; it marked a person’s identity and standing in the community. When someone wore this garment, they carried their public self with them, visible to all who passed by.
In our daily lives, we often wear uniforms or specific attire that signals our role, whether at work or in service. This word reminds us that how we present ourselves can reflect deeper truths about who we are and whom we serve. Just as the outer cloak protected and identified the wearer, our actions and character offer a visible testimony to those around us.
God cares about these details of life, from the clothes on our backs to the state of our hearts. Whether in times of plenty or hardship, He provides for our needs and calls us to live with dignity and integrity. May we find comfort in knowing that our true identity is secure in Him, beyond any temporary covering we might wear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ garments3×
- with/ a cloak1×
- own clothes/ my1×
- like <the>/ garment1×
- in/ garment/ his1×
- garments/ your1×
- garments/ our1×
- clothes/ their1×
- and/ with/ garments1×
- a garment1×
- <in> the/ cloak1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/שְׂלָמוֹת֙2×
- שַׂלְמוֹתָֽ/י\׃1×
- שַׂלְמוֹתֵ֙י/נוּ֙1×
- שַׂלְמֹתַ֖יִ/ךְ1×
- שַׂלְמֹֽתֵי/הֶם֙1×
- שַׂלְמָ֔ה1×
- כַּ/שַּׂלְמָ֑ה1×
- וּ/שְׂלָמ֥וֹת1×
- וּ/בִ/שְׂלָמ֖וֹת1×
- בַּ/שַּׂלְמָ֥ה1×
- בְּ/שַׂלְמָת֖/וֹ1×
- בְּ/שַׂלְמָ֣ה1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 11:30
Ahijah took the new garment that was on him, and tore it in twelve pieces.
Ahijah tears the new garment into twelve pieces to symbolize the division of the kingdom, showing how this item represented political authority and national unity.
-
Deuteronomy 24:13
You shall surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment and bless you. It shall be righteousness to you before Yahweh your God.
The law requires returning a poor worker's cloak by nightfall so he can sleep warm, highlighting the garment as essential for basic human dignity and survival.
-
Psalms 104:2
He covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain.
David describes God covering Himself with light as with a garment, using the physical object to illustrate divine majesty and spiritual protection.
-
Song of Solomon 4:11
Your lips, my bride, drip like the honeycomb. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
The bride's garments smell like Lebanon, linking this outer layer to intimacy, beauty, and the pleasant fragrance of a devoted relationship.