COAT (כֻּתֹּ֫נֶת, H4189; LXX and NT χιτών, G5945; Vul. tunica; Luther Rock; KJV coat). Tunic, shirt, undergarment.

The tunic-coat was a close-fitting undergarment worn by both men and women. It became predominant during Bronze III and was the usual dress in the Iron Age. It was prob. made from two pieces of cloth sewn together (or maybe just a single piece) with a hole cut at the top for the head to pass through. Sometimes it was woven without seam (John 19:23); frequently it was of one solid color. Apparently the fabric was wool or linen, although the tunics worn by Adam and Eve were of animal skins (Gen 3:21). The garment was lined with a white cotton material and was worn next to the body during warm weather. This covering was so scanty that if a person had on nothing else he was considered naked (1 Sam 19:24; 2 Sam 6:20; John 21:7). It was pulled or tucked up when one worked or ran (Exod 12:11; 2 Kings 4:29). The tunic was rent as a sign of grief (2 Sam 13:19; 15:32) and apparently the Shulammite laid hers aside at night (Song of Solomon 5:3). The tunic worn by the priests had long sleeves, and it extended down to the ankles, and was fastened about the loins by a girdle (Exod 29:5, 8, 9; 39:27). The fold formed by the overlapping of the robe served as an inner pocket. Josephus states that the sleeves were tied to the arms (Antiq. iii. 7. 2). Aaron’s tunic was of fine Egyp. linen (שֵׁשׁ֙, H9254) and was woven “in checker work” (Exod 28:39). Joseph’s “coat of many colours” (Gen 37:3 KJV) or “long robe with sleeves” (RSV) was lit. a tunic reaching to the feet (כְּתֹ֥נֶת). Tamar’s garment was also of this type (2 Sam 13:18) and might have been quite gaily-colored.

Slaves, laborers, and prisoners wore a more abbreviated style tunic (sometimes only to their knees and without sleeves) as appears on the Behistun Rock.

In the Assyrian relief depicting the siege and capture of Lachish by Sennacherib (701 b.c.) there are Jewish captives (male and female) wearing long, dress-like tunics which reach almost to the ankles. These garments are moderately tight and fit close to the neck (cf. Job 30:18). They are pure white and have short sleeves reaching half-way to the elbow; they are without decoration and are not held in place by a girdle. These Hebrews, however, were prisoners of war and they had prob. been stripped of all but their essential clothing.