מִכְנָס
𐤌𐤊𐤍𐤎
miknâç
H4370 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A garment worn on the lower part of the body, specifically 'trousers' or 'breeches'; in biblical usage, a particular type of linen undergarment covering from waist to thighs, prescribed for priests for purposes of modesty and ritual propriety. The semantic range includes trousers, undergarments, and linen 'breeches' as designated for priestly service, always referring to garments that conceal the lower body.
Semantic Range
trousers, undergarments, priestly linen breeches, ritual underpants, garment for covering nakedness
Root / Etymology
Derived from root כָּמַס (k-m-s), which holds the core meaning 'to store, hide, conceal.' Miknâs likely reflects the idea of a garment that covers or conceals, referring to that which 'hides' the nakedness. The form is a noun constructed in the pattern miCCāC, typical for instruments or things defined by their function. Root meaning is related to 'concealment', but lexical usage denotes a distinct priestly vestment.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מִכְנָס occurs exclusively in the plural form and only in priestly contexts (Exodus 28:42; 39:28; Leviticus 6:3; 16:4), denoting a linen garment worn from the loins to the thighs by Israelite priests to cover 'nakedness' while ministering in the sanctuary. This is distinct from general clothing terms like כָּתֹנֶת (kəthonet, tunic) or סְמָלָה (simlah, outer garment). מִכְנָס does not refer to outer visible attire, nor was it a common article of dress but rather a vestment required for ritual and modesty within the tabernacle/temple. Later English translations sometimes render the term as 'breeches' or 'linen undergarments.' The KJV's 'breeches' reflects early modern English usage; however, 'undergarment' or 'linen pantaloon' better convey the garment’s function. Outside the Torah, the term does not appear, and there is no indication of its use among the general Israelite population, underscoring its specialized priestly role. In the Second Temple period, analogous terms and concepts evolved but the term miknâs itself remains limited to the Pentateuchal priestly legislation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from כָּמַס in the sense of hiding; (only in dual) drawers (from concealing the private parts); breeches.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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כמס (k-m-s) — to conceal, to hide, to store away
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4370-02 |
וּ/מִֽכְנְסֵי | umikhenesey | HC/Ncmdc |
and undergarments | and concealing-breeches of | 3 |
H4370-01 |
מִכְנְסֵי | mikhenesey | HNcmpc |
breeches | concealing trousers | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4370-01 |
Exodus 28:42 | מִכְנְסֵי | mikhenesey | HNcmpc |
undergarments | concealing trousers |
H4370-01 |
Exodus 39:28 | מִכְנְסֵ֥י | mikhenesey | HNcmpc |
breeches | concealing trousers |
H4370-02 |
Leviticus 6:3 | וּ/מִֽכְנְסֵי | umikhenesey | HC/Ncmdc |
and linen trousers | and concealing-breeches of |
H4370-02 |
Leviticus 16:4 | וּ/מִֽכְנְסֵי | umikhenesey | HC/Ncmpc |
and undergarments | and concealing-breeches of |
H4370-02 |
Ezekiel 44:18 | וּ/מִכְנְסֵ֣י | umikhenesey | HC/Ncmpc |
and undergarments | and concealing-breeches of |