Handkerchief
Artifactsâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
A loan-word from Latin, referring to a cloth used to wipe off perspiration, found in plural in Acts 19:12. Elsewhere it is rendered as 'napkin' in Luke 19:20, John 11:44, and 20:7.
What is the meaning of Handkerchief in the Bible?
A loan-word from Latin, referring to a cloth used to wipe off perspiration, found in plural in Acts 19:12. Elsewhere it is rendered as 'napkin' in Luke 19:20, John 11:44, and 20:7.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this artifact clarifies the physical details of biblical narratives, such as the burial cloths in John 20:7 and the handkerchiefs used in Acts 19:12, providing context for daily life and material culture in the ancient Mediterranean world.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Handkerchief in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Handkerchief clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.