Bible Dictionary
Coat
A coat was generally a tunic worn next to the skin, sometimes woven without a seam or made with sleeves. The word can also refer to an outer garment in certain passages.
Definition
A coat was ordinarily a tunic worn next to the skin, sometimes woven without a seam and sometimes made as a long, sleeved, many-colored garment. In some passages, however, the word refers to an outer garment or cloak.
Biblical Usage
The coat was part of ordinary dress and also appears in priestly clothing, the garment of Joseph, the coat made for Samuel, and the fisherman’s outer garment. Jesus’ tunic was woven without a seam.
Historical Background
The ordinary coat was distinct from the larger outer cloak, although English translations sometimes use “coat” for either garment according to context.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The tunic worn like the shirt next the skin (Lev. 16:4; Cant. 5:3; 2 Sam. 15:32; Ex. 28:4; 29:5). The “coats of skins” prepared by God for Adam and Eve were probably nothing more than aprons (Gen. 3:21). This tunic was sometimes woven entire without a seam (John 19:23); it was also sometimes of “many colours” (Gen. 37:3; R.V. marg., “a long garment with sleeves”). The “fisher’s coat” of John 21:7 was obviously an outer garment or cloak, as was also the “coat” made by Hannah for Samuel (1 Sam. 2:19). (See DRESS.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Dress]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kot.</p><p>See CLOAK; DRESS, etc.</p>