The word “mantle” comes from four different Hebrew words. These words include:
‘ʼAddereth” which means something ample (as a large vine, a wide dress), garment, glory, goodly, mantle, robe. “ʼAddereth” has been translated as mantle, garment, glory, goodly, robe.
The Hebrew word ‘addereth, for mantle, was a large over-garment. This word is used of Elijah’s mantle (1 Kings 19:13; 1 Kings 19:19; 2 Kings 2:8; 2 Kings 2:13), which was probably a sheepskin. ‘Addereth twice occurs with the epithet “hairy” (Genesis 25:25; Zechariah 13:4). It is the word denoting the “goodly Babylonish garment” which Achan coveted (Joshua 7:21).
So it was that when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle, went out, and stood at the entrance of the cave. Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:13).
The second Hebrew word translated in English as “mantle” is “sᵉmîykâh”; it means a run (as sustaining the Oriental sitter) and refers to a mantle. It is used only once in Judges 4:18.
The Hebrew word “sᵉmîykâh” was “a rug,” the garment that Jael threw as a covering over Sisera (Judges 4:18). This Hebrew word occurs nowhere else in Scripture.
And Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Turn aside, my lord, turn aside to me; do not fear.” When he had turned aside with her into the tent, she covered him with a blanket (mantle).
The third Hebrew word translated into English as “mantle” is “meh-eel,” which is used in the sense of covering; a robe (i.e., an upper and outer garment); cloke, coat, mantle, robe. Meh-eel has also been translated as robe, mantle, cloke, coat. This word, Meh-eel, was frequently applied to the “robe of the ephod” (Exodus 28:4, Exodus 28:31; Leviticus 8:7), which was a splendid under tunic made entirely of blue, reaching below the knees. It was woven without seams and was put on by being drawn over the head. It was worn not only by priests but also by kings (1 Samuel 24:4), prophets (1 Samuel 15:27), and wealthy men (Job 1:20; Job 2:12). This was the “little coat” that Samuel’s mother brought to him from year to year to Shiloh (1 Samuel 2:19), a miniature of the official priestly robe.
The last Hebrew word translated in English as “mantle” is “mah-at-aw-faw’”, which means a cloak or mantle. “Mah-at-aw-faw”, in plural, is found only in Isaiah 3:22, denoting a large exterior tunic worn by females.
Now, in the Bible, “mantle” refers to a garment: a cloak, a robe — an upper outer garment, a coat. Mantle also means splendid, glory, glorious, and honourable. Mantle is Glory. Glory comes from the Hebrew word kabhod and the Greek word doxa.
These two words mean: –
· Abundance, wealth, treasure, and therefore honour (Psalms 49:12); glory (Genesis 31:1; Matthew 4:8; Revelation 21:24; Revelation 21:26).
· Honour, dignity (1 Kings 3:13; Hebrews 2:7; 1 Peter 1:24); of God (Psalms 19:1; Psalms 29:1); of the mind or heart (Genesis 49:6; Psalms 7:5; Acts 2:46).
· Splendour, brightness, majesty (Genesis 45:13; Isaiah 4:5; Acts 22:11; 2 Corinthians 3:7); of Jehovah (Isaiah 59:19; Isaiah 60:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:9).
· The glorious moral attributes, the infinite perfections of God (Isaiah 40:5; Acts 7:2; Romans 1:23; Romans 9:23; Ephesians 1:12). Jesus is the “brightness of the Father’s glory” (Hebrews 1:3; John 1:14; John 2:11).
· The bliss of heaven (Romans 2:7; Romans 2:10; Romans 5:2; Romans 8:18; Hebrews 2:10; 1 Peter 5:1; 1 Peter 5:10).
The fundamental idea of the root word “glory” seems to be “weight,” “heaviness,” and thus, in its primary usages, it conveys the notion of an external, physical manifestation of dignity, preeminence, or majesty. At least three uses can be distinguished: (A) Glory defines the wealth or other material possessions that bestow honour or distinction upon a person; (B) the majesty, dignity, splendor, or honour of a person; © most importantly, it describes the form in which Yahweh reveals Himself or acts as the sign and manifestation of His presence — glory as applied to human beings.
Glory describes the majesty, dignity, or honour of individuals due to their adornment or position. In Genesis 45:13, Joseph bids his brethren tell their father of his glory in Egypt. According to Exodus 28:40, the priestly garments are intended for the glorification of their wearers.
In 1 Samuel 4:21, the loss of the ark signifies, for Israel, the loss of her glory, which granted her distinction from and preeminence over her neighbours; In Isaiah 22:23, it is stated that Eliakim is to be a throne of glory, i.e., the source and manifestation of the splendour and dignity of his father’s house; In Job 19:9, the complaint that God has stripped him of his glory must be understood as a reference to his dignity and honour.
The most common use of the word “glory” is to describe the brilliance that is characteristic of all persons who share in the heavenly glory — the Glory of God. Moses, Elijah, and Jesus Himself exhibited this glory on the Mountain of Transfiguration (Luke 9:31). It was the same glory that empowered the angel who descended from heaven to illuminate the earth (Revelation 18:1), and it also shone around the shepherds when the angel appeared to them (Luke 2:9). Paul refers to this glory when he speaks of the face of Moses as it appeared after God had spoken with him (2 Corinthians 3:7). As in the case of Moses, the source of this glory is God Himself, who is the God of glory (Acts 7:2).
Thus, a mantle is a garment or covering. It is a garment that brings glory to the wearer. In other words, a mantle is a garment that, when worn, distinguishes a person from the rest of the people. This is why it was worn by prophets, priests, kings, and wealthy individuals.
A mantle also conferred glory upon the person who wore it. This glory stemmed from their beauty, wealth, power, status, or relationship with God.
The mantle is Glory. Glory is the possession and characteristic of Yahweh and is bestowed by Him upon His people or anything connected with Him. The mantle that brought glory as a result of a relationship with God was primarily worn by priests and prophets. The glory conveyed by the mantle was God’s glory — the character, anointing, power, and dominion of God — as they related to Him. This mantle, which brought glory, manifested as the anointing or power of God. The glory of God on a person rubbed off onto the garment they wore. The glory of God on a prophet or priest could be shared. This is the mantle that was transferred from Elijah to Elisha.
The prophet Elijah “threw his cloak around [Elisha]” as a symbol of Elijah’s ministry being passed on to Elisha. The prophet’s mantle was an indication of his authority and responsibility as God’s chosen spokesman (2 Kings 2:8). Elisha was not confused about what Elijah was doing; the wearing of his mantle made his election clear.
The Prophet Elisha received the Prophet Elijah’s mantle…the character and glory of God given to Elijah (I Kings 19:19; 2 Kings 2:9–14).
The mantle in the Bible was a garment; it was a covering. A mantle was typically a large, loosely fitting garment made of animal skin, probably sheepskin.
God’s mantle is His character and glory. The character and glory of God are developed in us through an intimate relationship with God called the anointing. A mantle in nature is a cloak or outer garment that covers the body. In the Bible, a mantle is symbolically described as the righteous call and covering of God in fulfilling our destinies.
What does the mantle represent? The mantle symbolizes covering, beauty, majesty, and splendor. It also embodies the praise, honour, and dignity of men. The mantle serves to pass on God’s assignment from one person to another.
The mantle was a garment with a special assignment, like the high priest’s garment of Aaron.
The mantle also represented the anointing and power of God upon the wearer of that garment, similar to Elijah’s mantle (1 Kings 19:19; 2 Kings 2:9, 14).
In the Bible, a mantle is used symbolically as the righteous call and covering of God in fulfilling our destinies.
A mantle serves as a Scriptural metaphor for a calling, ministry, anointing, and — when applicable — office, given to individuals by God.
The mantle was and is the official garment of prophets and priests. The mantle automatically marked a person as a prophet, a spokesman of God. It was also a symbol of sacrifice and commitment. The life of a prophet was not a life of luxury. The mantle represented a man’s gift, the call of God, and the purpose for which God had called him. The mantle served a symbolic purpose, particularly in the case of the prophets, showing they were wrapped in God’s authority.
Like all imagery in the Old Testament, the mantle presents a visible representation of a New Testament principle. The mantle can be seen as a symbol of the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which God graciously gives to all Christians, the people of His choosing (1 Thessalonians 1:5–6; 1 Peter 2:9).
In conclusion, the mantle was both physical and spiritual. It had both physical and spiritual purposes. Physically, it served as a cover, symbolizing beauty and honour. Spiritually, it was intended for passing on God’s assignment or God’s anointing for a specific task, particularly for priests and prophets, from one individual to another. In the Bible, a mantle is a physical garment or covering; it also represents glory — the spiritual power and covering of God in our lives.
Contributor: Pastor Gilbert Magomere Ayieko
