4370. miknas
Lexical Summary
miknas: Trousers, breeches

Original Word: מִכְנָס
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: miknac
Pronunciation: mik-NAHS
Phonetic Spelling: (mik-nawce')
KJV: breeches
NASB: undergarments, breeches
Word Origin: [from H3647 (כָּמַס - laid up in store) in the sense of hiding]

1. (only in dual) drawers (from concealing the private parts)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
breeches

From kamac in the sense of hiding; (only in dual) drawers (from concealing the private parts) -- breeches.

see HEBREW kamac

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from kanas
Definition
an undergarment
NASB Translation
breeches (2), undergarments (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[מִכְנָס] noun masculineEzekiel 44:18 only dual (or plural) drawers (connection with above √ כנס obscure; Di derives from כנס = גנז cover up, hide (compare Du Isaiah 28:20), which Thes also compare) — only construct מִָכְנְסֵי — a priestly garment of linen מִכְנְסֵי פִשְׁתִּים Ezekiel 44:18; מִכְנְסֵי (הַ)בָּד Exodus 28:42; Exodus 39:28; Leviticus 6:3; Leviticus 16:4 (all P).

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Description

מִכְנָס (miknas) denotes the linen undergarments, or breeches, worn by Aaronic priests beneath their outer vestments. Designed to reach “from the waist to the thighs” (Exodus 28:42), these garments discreetly covered the flesh and prevented any exposure while the priests ministered at the altar.

Biblical Occurrences and Context

1. Exodus 28:42 introduces the undergarments as an essential part of the high priestly wardrobe.
2. Exodus 39:28 records their manufacture for installation day, affirming exact obedience to the divine pattern.
3. Leviticus 6:10 assigns them to the ordinary priest during daily removal of the ashes.
4. Leviticus 16:4 places them on the high priest for the Day of Atonement, the most sacred moment of the ritual year.
5. Ezekiel 44:18 projects their use into the future temple, linking priestly modesty to millennial worship.

Priestly Function and Symbolism of Modesty

The undergarments safeguarded the sanctity of the sanctuary by ensuring that no accidental exposure of nakedness would occur when priests ascended steps or bent to serve. The requirement came from the same God who said earlier, “You must not go up to My altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it” (Exodus 20:26). Thus the miknas represents institutionalized modesty, teaching that those who draw near to the Holy One must respect the boundary between holy and profane.

Holiness, Purity, and the Covering of Shame

In Eden, garments of skin covered Adam and Eve’s shame; in the tabernacle, linen undergarments covered the priests’ natural uncleanness, so they might “bear no guilt and die” (Exodus 28:43). Linen, free of mixed fibers, pointed to purity and separation. The miknas therefore served as a visible reminder that sin-induced shame still clings to humanity, even to consecrated mediators, and requires divine provision to be hidden from God’s sight.

Continuity from Tabernacle to Millennial Temple

Ezekiel’s vision carries the miknas into the future: “They shall have linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists” (Ezekiel 44:18). The repetition underscores the abiding principle that God’s ministers, whatever the covenant era, must honor Him with reverent decorum. Prophetic continuity testifies to Scripture’s consistency and to God’s unchanging standard of holiness.

Christological and Redemptive Shadows

Hebrews portrays Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest who entered the true sanctuary once for all. The linen undergarments anticipate His perfect moral purity and His seamless inner righteousness, unseen yet essential. Where Aaron needed covering, Christ is Himself the covering—perfectly modest, perfectly holy. Believers, clothed in His righteousness (Galatians 3:27), participate in the greater fulfillment of the miknas typology.

Practical and Pastoral Implications

1. Modesty remains a Christian virtue grounded in Scripture, not cultural preference.
2. Those who lead in worship must give attention not only to outward appearance but to inward holiness.
3. The church is called to “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14), wearing spiritual garments that reflect the purity symbolized by the miknas.

Summary

The miknas, though a small and hidden part of priestly attire, communicates large truths about modesty, purity, and the divine provision that enables sinful humanity to serve a holy God. From the wilderness tabernacle to the prophetic temple, and ultimately in Christ’s high-priestly ministry, these linen undergarments witness to God’s unwavering demand for holiness and His gracious supply of the covering that makes fellowship possible.

Forms and Transliterations
וּמִֽכְנְסֵי־ וּמִכְנְסֵ֣י ומכנסי ומכנסי־ מִכְנְסֵ֥י מִכְנְסֵי־ מכנסי מכנסי־ michnesei miḵ·nə·sê miḵ·nə·sê- miḵnəsê miḵnəsê- ū·miḵ·nə·sê ū·miḵ·nə·sê- umichnesei ūmiḵnəsê ūmiḵnəsê-
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Englishman's Concordance
Exodus 28:42
HEB: וַעֲשֵׂ֤ה לָהֶם֙ מִכְנְסֵי־ בָ֔ד לְכַסּ֖וֹת
NAS: for them linen breeches to cover
KJV: them linen breeches to cover
INT: shall make breeches linen to cover

Exodus 39:28
HEB: שֵׁ֑שׁ וְאֶת־ מִכְנְסֵ֥י הַבָּ֖ד שֵׁ֥שׁ
NAS: and the linen breeches of fine
KJV: and linen breeches [of] fine twined
INT: caps linen breeches and the linen of fine

Leviticus 6:10
HEB: מִדּ֣וֹ בַ֗ד וּמִֽכְנְסֵי־ בַד֮ יִלְבַּ֣שׁ
NAS: and he shall put on undergarments next
KJV: and his linen breeches shall he put
INT: robe his linen undergarments his linen shall put

Leviticus 16:4
HEB: קֹ֜דֶשׁ יִלְבָּ֗שׁ וּמִֽכְנְסֵי־ בַד֮ יִהְי֣וּ
NAS: and the linen undergarments shall be next
KJV: and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh,
INT: the holy shall put undergarments and the linen become

Ezekiel 44:18
HEB: עַל־ רֹאשָׁ֔ם וּמִכְנְסֵ֣י פִשְׁתִּ֔ים יִהְי֖וּ
NAS: and linen undergarments shall be on their loins;
KJV: and shall have linen breeches upon their loins;
INT: upon their heads undergarments and linen become

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4370
5 Occurrences


miḵ·nə·sê- — 2 Occ.
ū·miḵ·nə·sê- — 3 Occ.

4369
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