Original Word: תַּחֲרָא
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: tachara'
Pronunciation: tahk-raw'
Phonetic Spelling: (takh-ar-aw')
KJV: habergeon
NASB: coat of mail
Word Origin: [from H2734 (חָרָה - burned) in the original sense of H2352 (חוּר חוּר - Hole) or H2353 (חוּר - white)]

1. a linen corslet (as white or hollow)

Tahpenes

From charah in the original sense of chuwr or chuwr; a linen corslet (as white or hollow) -- habergeon.

see HEBREW charah

see HEBREW chuwr

see HEBREW chuwr

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a corselet
NASB Translation
coat of mail (2).

תַּחְרָא noun [masculine] probably (linen) corselet (ᵑ7^Onk שריון); — absolute ׳ת Exodus 28:32, "" Exodus 39:23 (P), in simile.

[תַּחֲרָה] see חרה. תַּחֲרֵעַ see חרע.

Occurrences and Context

תַּחֲרָא appears only in Exodus 28:32 and Exodus 39:23, both times describing the circular “opening” at the top of the High Priest’s robe. The notes: “There shall be an opening for the head in the center of it, with a woven binding around the opening, like the opening of a garment, so that it will not tear” (Exodus 28:32). In Exodus 39:23 the artisans carry out the command exactly “just as the Lord had commanded Moses.” The term is therefore inseparably linked to the ephod’s robe (מְעִיל, meʿil), the blue outer garment worn beneath the ephod itself (cf. Exodus 28:31).

Structural Design and Craftsmanship

1. Circular Neckline: תַּחֲרָא identifies the reinforced collar cut “in its center.” Ancient textiles often frayed at a slit-neck; the Hebrew design eliminated that weakness by weaving a round aperture.
2. Bound Edge: The opening was “like the opening of a garment” (literally “coat of mail”), implying a firm, rolled hem that could not unravel. The language hints at military-grade durability, underscoring the robe’s holiness and permanence.
3. Single Piece Construction: By specifying a seamless collar, Scripture anticipates the robe’s overall integrity. This craftsmanship later echoes in John 19:23 where Christ’s tunic is “seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom,” strengthening typological links.

Symbolic and Theological Themes

• Integrity and Wholeness: The un-torn opening symbolizes an undivided priesthood. Any tear would mar the robe’s perfection, signaling broken fellowship; hence the collar safeguards covenant integrity.
• Guarded Holiness: The High Priest represents the nation before God (Exodus 28:29). A protected opening prevents defilement, visualizing the guarded access to God’s presence (Hebrews 9:7-8).
• Prohibition of Tearing: Leviticus 10:6 and 21:10 forbid the High Priest to tear his garments in mourning. תַּחֲרָא therefore functions as a built-in defense against an impulsive act that would profane sacred vestments.

Typological Resonances with Christ

• Perfect Priesthood: Hebrews 7:26 describes Jesus as “holy, innocent, undefiled.” The seamless collar points beyond Aaron to the sinless Mediator whose righteousness remains unbroken.
• Mock Trial Contrast: At Jesus’ trial the High Priest “tore his clothes” (Matthew 26:65), violating the Levitical ban and unwittingly surrendering his office. Christ’s own garment, however, was kept intact even by Roman soldiers (John 19:24). תַּחֲרָא thus foreshadows the transfer from a flawed earthly priesthood to the perfect Priest-King.
• Protection from Judgment: Numbers 16:46-48 shows Aaron standing “between the dead and the living.” The intact robe becomes a sign of intercession; in Christ the believer now wears “robes washed white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14).

Historical Insights

Archaeological parallels from Mesopotamian and Egyptian art depict priests in robes with reinforced collars, indicating that Israel’s tabernacle garments were both culturally intelligible and divinely regulated. The unique Hebrew term, however, stresses Yahweh’s direct blueprint (Exodus 25:9).

Practical Implications for Ministry Today

• Pursue Integrity: Just as the collar was engineered against tearing, leaders are to “keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21), resisting habits that fray spiritual testimony.
• Guard Sacred Trusts: The High Priest’s unbroken garment reminds churches to protect doctrine and worship from compromise (1 Timothy 6:20).
• Celebrate Christ’s Sufficiency: The permanence of תַּחֲרָא presses believers to rest in the finished work of the true High Priest, whose righteousness needs no patchwork repair.

Summary

תַּחֲרָא, though a rare term, anchors rich theology. Its reinforced opening on the High Priest’s robe proclaims wholeness, holiness, and a priesthood that points ultimately to Jesus Christ, whose seamless righteousness clothes all who draw near to God through Him.

תַחְרָ֑א תַחְרָ֛א תחרא tachRa ṯaḥ·rā ṯaḥrāInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts