Apron

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

The word σιμικίνθια (pl.[Note: plural.]), a modified form of the Latin semicinctia , occurs only in  Acts 19:12, where it is translated ‘aprons,’ and placed in an alternative relation to σουδάρια (see Handkerchief). The two articles are not to be identified. The σιμικίνθιον is, as the derivation suggests, a half-girdle, or forecloth; not an essential of dress, like the girdle itself, but an accessory, worn by artisans and slaves for protection of their clothes during work. Presumably the material was linen or cotton. Still there is some doubt as to its precise nature see L. S. Potwin, Here and There in the Greek New Testament , New York, 1898, p. 169, where a parallel from Martial, xiv. 151ff. is quoted).

It is not said that the aprons were the property of St. Paul; but, judging from the word used for body (ἀπὸ τοῦ χρωτός), this is not impossible. The deduction has been made that he used them in pursuing his craft as a tentmaker. All that was needed, however, was that the articles should have touched his person, and thereafter those suffering from disease (cf.  Luke 8:44). For the usage, and belief underlying, cf.  Acts 5:15, and for modern instances, Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible (5 vols) ( s.v. ), and S. I. Curtiss, Primitive Semitic Religion To-Day , London, 1902, p. 91f.

W. Cruickshank.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (n.) A platform, or flooring of plank, at the entrance of a dock, against which the dock gates are shut.

(2): (n.) A flooring of plank before a dam to cause the water to make a gradual descent.

(3): (n.) The piece that holds the cutting tool of a planer.

(4): (n.) A piece of carved timber, just above the foremost end of the keel.

(5): (n.) A leaden plate that covers the vent of a cannon.

(6): (n.) The infolded abdomen of a crab.

(7): (n.) The fat skin covering the belly of a goose or duck.

(8): (n.) Something which by its shape or use suggests an apron;

(9): (n.) An article of dress, of cloth, leather, or other stuff, worn on the fore part of the body, to keep the clothes clean, to defend them from injury, or as a covering. It is commonly tied at the waist by strings.

(10): (n.) A piece of leather, or other material, to be spread before a person riding on an outside seat of a vehicle, to defend him from the rain, snow, or dust; a boot.

(11): (n.) A strip of lead which leads the drip of a wall into a gutter; a flashing.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Σιμικίνθιον (Strong'S #4612 — Noun Neuter — simikinthion — sim-ee-kin'-thee-on )

"a thing girded round half the body" (Latin, semicinctium), was a narrow apron, or linen covering, worn by workmen and servants,  Acts 19:12 .

Morrish Bible Dictionary

The word chagorah signifies 'anything girded on.' When Adam and Eve had sinned they discovered that they were naked, and sewed fig-leaves together and made aprons,  Genesis 3:7; but were soon conscious that this did not cover their nakedness, for when God called to them they owned that they were naked, and hid behind the trees. This teaches that nothing that man can devise can cover him from the eye of God. God clothed Adam and Eve with coats of skins; it was through death, typical of Christ Himself. In  Acts 19:12 the word is σιμικίνθιον,and occurs but that once; it signifies a narrow apron or linen covering.

King James Dictionary

A'PRON, n.

1. A cloth or piece of leather worn on the forepart of the body, to keep the clothes clean, or defend them from injury. 2. The fat skin covering the belly of a goose. 3. In gunnery, a flat piece of lead that covers the vent of a cannon. 4. In ships, a piece of curved timber, just above the foremost end of the keel. 5. A platform, or flooring of plank, at the entrance of a dock, on which the dock gates are shut. 6. A piece of lether or other thing to be spread before a person riding in a gig, chaise or sulky, to defend him from rain, snow or dust.

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Genesis 3:7 (c) The fig leaves used by Adam and Eve are called aprons which cover only a part of the body, and are not sufficient for a complete covering. The fig leaf is soft like velvet, and under the heat of the sun shrinks to about one-forth of the original size. These leaves are a type of self-righteousness. After Adam and Eve made the fig leaf aprons they still hid from GOD knowing that they were still naked in His sight. No amount of self-righteous religion, church attendance, giving of money, or religious acts is sufficient to hide the sins of the heart from the face of GOD.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 1 Samuel 18:4 2 Samuel 18:11 2 Samuel 20:8 1 Kings 2:5 Isaiah 3:24 Genesis 3:7 Acts 19:12

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Apron.  Luke 19:20;  John 11:44;  John 20:7;  Acts 19:12. This term was used in much the same manner, and having much the same significance as at the present.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Genesis 3:7 Acts 19:12 Ruth 3:15

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Apron . See Dress.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

stands in one passage of the Auth. Vers. for the Heb. חֲגוֹרָה (Chagorah', a Girdle, as usually), the fig-leaf bands which our first parents made to hide their shame ( Genesis 3:7); also for the Greek Σιμικίνθιον ( Acts 19:12), a term borrowed from the Lat. semicinctium, i.e. half-girdle or belt covering half the person, an article of apparel worn by artisans and servants. (See Attire). (See Napkin).

Apse or Apsis

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ā´prun  : Appears only in  Genesis 3:7 and   Acts 19:12 English Versions. (English na-prun, North of England nap-peon, from Low Latin, through French nape, nappe, "napkin." The "n" was dropped owing to false division of the article a from the noun; thus "a napron" became "an apron:" In   Genesis 3:7 it is used to translate a Hebrew word rendered "girdles" in Revised Version margin: "And they sewed fig-leaves together and made themselves aprons." In   Acts 19:12 σιμικίνθια , simikı́nthia , stands for semicinctia , which is really a Latin word meaning "half-girdle," i.e. girdles going only half round the body and covering the front of the person: "Unto the sick were carried away from his (Paul's) body handkerchiefs ( soudária , rendered "napkins"  Luke 19:20;  John 11:44;  John 20:7 ) or aprons." The word denotes here, probably, a workman's apron, perhaps those of Paul himself; though it seems more natural to suppose that the people brought their own "handkerchiefs" or "aprons" to Paul to secure the miraculous effect desired. The garments, at any rate, were such as could be easily removed and carried back and forth. (See Rich, Dict. of Roman and Greek Ant , under the word, for illust.; also Pope's Lexicon , under the word).