Hem

Hem - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

Of a garment, the fringe of a garment. The Jews attached much importance to these, because of the regulations in Num. 15:38, 39. These borders or fringes were in process of time enlarged so as to attract special notice (Matt. 23:5). The hem of Christ's garment touched (9:20; 14:36; Luke 8:44).

Hem - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

HEM, n.

1. The border of a garment, doubled and sewed to strengthen it and prevent the raveling of the threads.

2. Edge; border. Mat 9.

3. A particular sound of the human voice, expressed by the word hem.

HEM, v.t. To form a hem or border; to fold and sew down the edge of cloth to strengthen it.

1. To border; to edge.

All the skirt about

Was hemm'd with golden fringe.

To hem in, to inclose and confine; to surround; to environ. The troops were hemmed in by the enemy. Sometimes perhaps to hem about or round, may be used in a like sense.

HEM, v.i. To make the sound expressed by the word hem.

(kraspedon): The classic instance of the use of "hem" in the New Testament is Mt 9:20 the King James Version (compare Mt 14:36), where the woman "touched the hem of his (Christ's) garment." The reference is to the fringe or tassel with its traditional blue thread which the faithful Israelite was directed to wear on the corners of the outer garment (Nu 15:37 ff; De 22:12). Great importance came to be attached to it, the ostentatious Pharisees making it very broad or large (Mt 23:5). Here the woman clearly thought there might be peculiar virtue in touching the tassel or fringe of Jesus' garment. Elsewhere the word is rendered BORDER (which see).

See also DRESS; FRINGES.

George B. Eager