What Does Raiment Mean in the Bible? 183 Scriptural Insights for 2026

What does raiment mean in the Bible? In its simplest sense, raiment means clothing, garments, apparel, or robes. The older English word appears frequently in the King James Version, translating several Hebrew and Greek terms rather than one single biblical word.

As you study raiment throughout Scripture, you discover that clothing does more than cover the body. It may reveal poverty or wealth, identify priests and kings, express mourning, symbolize righteousness, expose hypocrisy, or picture the glory believers receive through Christ.

Key Raiment Scripture References

Raiment Bible Translation Comparison

The comparison shows why modern readers encounter “raiment” less often. Contemporary translations generally use clothing, clothes, garments, or apparel, depending on the underlying word and context.

People and Characters Associated with Raiment

Original Hebrew and Greek Words for Raiment

The Hebrew vocabulary is broad. בֶּגֶד, beged, can refer to an ordinary garment, priestly clothing, or a symbolic covering. לְבוּשׁ, levush, emphasizes clothing or dress, while כְּסוּת, kesut, highlights something that covers. In Greek, ἱμάτιον, himation, frequently denotes a garment or outer cloak, and ἔνδυμα, endyma, refers more generally to something worn.

Related Biblical Concepts of Raiment

Historical and Cultural Context of Raiment

In biblical society, clothing was labor-intensive and valuable. A “change of raiment” was not a trivial gift. It represented portable wealth, social honor, and generosity. This explains why garments appear among royal gifts, military spoil, inheritance goods, and diplomatic offerings.

An outer garment also protected its wearer from cold. The law therefore commanded a lender to return a poor person’s pledged cloak before nightfall. God’s concern for raiment was not merely ceremonial. It included compassion for physical need and protection of human dignity.

Theological Themes Expressed Through Raiment

Modern Application of Biblical Raiment

What Does Raiment Mean in the Bible’S Older English?

“Raiment” belongs to the vocabulary of early modern English. In the King James Bible, it functions as a collective word for what a person wears. Depending on the passage, it may indicate ordinary clothes, an outer cloak, ceremonial robes, costly apparel, or supernatural garments.

You should therefore resist assigning one precise garment to every occurrence. The meaning comes from the original Hebrew or Greek term, the social setting, and the author’s purpose. Modern translations often clarify the reference by choosing “cloak,” “clothing,” “robe,” or “garments.”

בֶּגֶד And ἱμάτιον Show That Raiment Has Many Forms

The common Hebrew noun בֶּגֶד, beged, Strong’s H899, is used for garments worn in daily life, royal settings, priestly ministry, mourning, and prophetic symbolism. A garment may be clean or defiled, torn or preserved, ordinary or sacred. The object remains physical, but its narrative meaning changes.

The Greek ἱμάτιον, himation, Strong’s G2440, similarly ranges from clothing in general to an outer garment or cloak. It is used for the garment touched by the suffering woman, the clothing divided at Christ’s crucifixion, and the robes made white in Revelation.

What Does Raiment Mean in the Bible’S Teaching About Providence?

In Matthew 6, Jesus asks why His hearers worry about raiment. His point is not that clothing is unnecessary. The Father already knows it is necessary. Christ directs your attention to the lilies, whose beauty exceeds Solomon’s royal splendor without anxious labor.

This teaching calls you away from fearful preoccupation, not responsible work. You may plan, sew, purchase, repair, and provide while still trusting God. Raiment becomes an everyday reminder that your heavenly Father cares for embodied human life.

From Filthy Raiment to Garments of Salvation

Some of Scripture’s richest clothing imagery concerns sin and righteousness. In Zechariah 3, the high priest Joshua stands in filthy garments, representing guilt. God orders those garments removed and declares that Joshua’s iniquity has been taken away.

Isaiah 61 presents the opposite picture. God clothes His people with garments of salvation and a robe of righteousness. The symbolism reaches its Christian fullness in putting on Christ and appearing before God cleansed, accepted, and prepared for eternal worship.

Questions About Raiment in Scripture

Does the Hebrew word בֶּגֶד, beged, always mean ordinary clothing?

No. It may describe common garments, priestly vestments, royal clothing, or symbolic garments depending on context.

Why does the KJV say “raiment” when modern translations say “clothes”?

“Raiment” was familiar English in 1611, while modern translations use words more natural to present-day readers.

What kind of raiment did John the Baptist wear in Matthew 3:4?

He wore a garment made from camel hair with a leather belt, reflecting his prophetic simplicity and recalling Elijah.

Does Matthew 6:28 forbid believers from planning what to wear?

No. Jesus condemns anxious preoccupation and calls you to trust the Father while seeking His kingdom first.

What is the difference between filthy raiment in Zechariah 3 and white raiment in Revelation?

Filthy garments represent guilt and defilement, while white garments signify cleansing, faithfulness, victory, and acceptance before God.