Joseph’s Coat

JOSEPH'S COAT

Joseph's coat may not have been 'many colors'.

The definition is as follows:

COAT  ​​​​ H3801  ​​​​ kethôneth  ​​ ​​​​ kûttôneth ​​ pronounced keth-o'-neth, koot-to'-neth

From an unused root meaning to cover (compare H3802 to clothe); a shirt: - coat, garment, robe.

BDB Definition:

1) tunic, under-garment

1a) a long shirt-like garment usually of linen

The word 'many' is in italics, which means it was added by the translators.

COLOURS  ​​​​ H6446  ​​​​ pas ​​  ​​ ​​​​ NOUN

From H6461 disperse or disappear; properly the palm (of the hand) or sole (of the foot), (compare H6447 to palm, spread out); by implication (plural) a long and sleeved tunic (perhaps simply a wide one; from the original sense of the root, that is, of many breadths): - (divers) colours.

BDB Definition:

1) flat (of the hand or foot), palm, sole

1a) of the tunic reaching to palms and soles

Joseph's coat was a ceremonial tunic that reached to the palms and soles.

The word for colours, as in colors of the rainbow, is not H6446 (used for Joseph's tunic).

Colors comes from several other words:

H2921 tala- to patch, be spotted, be colored  ​​​​ (verb)

H5869 ayin- eye (to see color)  ​​​​ (noun)

H6320 puk- paint, dye, black paint  ​​​​ (noun)

H6448 tseba- to dip, dye, dyed by coloring fluid  ​​​​ (verb)

H7553 riqmah- variegated, embroidered, mix colors by embroidery  ​​​​ (noun)

If Joseph's tunic (coat) was of colors, then one of the above words would have been used.

Joseph was Jacob's son by Rebekah, whom was Joseph's most loved wife.

Genesis 37:3 ​​ Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours (H6446- a ceremonial tunic, or long robe extending to the palms and soles).

The Scriptures 2009 has: “...And he made him a long robe.”

Genesis 37:23 ​​ And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat (H3801- tunic, long garment), his coat (H3801- tunic, long garment) of many colours (H6446- tunic/robe reaching to palms and soles) that was on him;

The Scriptures 2009 has: “...that they stript Yoseph of his robe, the long robe which was on him.”

Genesis 37:31 ​​ And they took Joseph's coat (H3801- tunic/robe), and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat (H3801- tunic/robe) in the blood;

​​ 37:32 ​​ And they sent the coat (H3801- tunic/robe) of many colours (H6446- of the long robe reaching to the palms and soles), and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat (H3801- tunic/robe) or no.

​​ 37:33 ​​ And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat (H3801- tunic/robe); an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

Not once are any Hebrew words used to describe colors.

The Levites, the sons of Aaron wore coats of fine linen. They were long shirt-like robes which extended to the palms and soles. The ceremonial robes worn by the priesthood.

Exodus 28:4 ​​ And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat (H3801- long shirt), a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto Me in the priest's office.

Exodus 28:39,40; 29:5,8; 39:27; 40:14; Lev 8:7,13; 10:5; 16:4 all from H3801- a long shirt, worn by the sons of Aaron.

The only other places colours (H6446- tunic reaching to palms and soles) is used are:

2Samuel 13:18 ​​ And she had a garment (H3801- covering) of divers colours (H6446- a long coat) upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

​​ 13:19 ​​ And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment (H3801- covering) of divers colours (H6446- a long coat) that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.

The Septuagint records 'divers colours' as 'variegated'.

Webster's defines variegated as: Diversified in colors or external appearance.

Ammon was a son of David's who loved and longed for his sister, who was a virgin. A virgin that wore a garment of virginity, and likely variegated with embroidery. Not necessarily of colors. Ammon violated his sister.

Tamar was wearing a garment of virginity, which is usually represented by white.

Whether Joseph's coat was of colors or was a ceremonial tunic/long robe extending to palms and soles, is merely a doubtful disputation not worthy of division among brethren.

The definitions and examples show that Joseph's and Tamar's tunics/garments/robes were not of colors and were rather long robes reaching the palms and soles.

The definitions and examples of actual colors are defined and used in other circumstances, but not in these.

Again, nothing to argue about either way.

The idea is to seek, search, study and find. The enemies of our race and of God have distorted, perverted and changed our history and heritage to keep us from truth. We must question all we have been taught in and by the world (society, “churches”) and examine for ourselves.

No lie is of the truth.

If we are deceived with something as simple as a coat of 'colors' then what are the limits of major deceptions?

2Timothy 2:15 ​​ Study to shew thyself approved unto Elohiym, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of Truth.