Mantle
Summary
The mantle was an outer garment in the biblical world, most famously associated with Elijah's prophetic cloak which he cast upon Elisha and which was later used to part the Jordan River.
☩Types of Mantles
The Hebrew word 'addereth' (most often translated 'mantle') denotes a large outer garment like the Roman pallium. When used of Elijah's mantle, it probably refers to a sheepskin or rough hairy garment characteristic of prophets. The Septuagint renders it as 'sheepskin,' and such garments became associated with prophetic identity—Zechariah speaks of false prophets wearing 'a rough garment to deceive.' However, the same word also describes royal and splendid robes, including the 'goodly Babylonish garment' Achan stole and the robe of Nineveh's king.
☩Elijah's Mantle
Elijah's mantle served as both his identifying garment and a symbol of his prophetic authority. When God directed Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor, the prophet cast his mantle upon the younger man, symbolically transferring his calling. At Elijah's translation, the mantle fell from him as he ascended in the chariot of fire. Elisha took it up and used it to strike the Jordan, which parted as it had for Elijah—confirming that 'the spirit of Elijah' now rested upon him.
☩Mantles Torn in Grief
Tearing or ripping one's mantle was a customary expression of grief or distress in ancient Israel. Job, upon receiving news of his children's death, 'arose and rent his mantle.' His friends, seeing his suffering, likewise 'rent every one his mantle.' Ezra tore both his garment and his mantle upon hearing of Israel's intermarriage with foreign peoples.
Related Verses14 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Mantle," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Mantle," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Mantle," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).