HANDKERCHIEF, NAPKIN (banlar-chtf, nap'kin), (Gr. aouSciptov, soo-dar'ee-on, sweat cloth; Vulg. sudarium), occurs in Luke xix:2o; John xi: -14; xx:7; Acts xix:i2.
The Greek word is adopted from the Latin, and probably at first had the same meaning; and, being derived from suck), to perspire, corresponds to our word handkerchief.
In the first instance of its use (Luke xix :20) it means a wrapper, in which the 'wicked servant' had laid up the pound entrusted to him by his master. For references to the custom of laying up money, etc., in the Soudaria. both in classical and rabbinical writers, see Wetstein's N. T., on Luke xix :20. In the second instance (John xi:44) it ap pears as a kerchief, or cloth attached to the head of a corpse. It was perhaps brought round the fore head and under the chin. In many Egyptian mummies it does not cover the face. In ancient times among the Greeks it did. Nicolaus (De Grcecor. c. iii: sec. 6, Thiel. 1697). Mai monides, in his comparatively recent times, de scribes the whole face as being covered, and gives a reason for the custoxn (Tract Efel, c. 4). The
next instance is that of the aoacipLov, nafikin, which had been 'about the head' of our Lord, but which, after his resurrection, was found rolled up, as if deliberately, and put in a place separately from the linen clothes. wrapped up apart in a place by itself. The last instance of the Biblical use of the word occurs in the account of 'the special miracles' wrought by the hands of Paul (Acts xix :1 x) ; 'so that soudaria (handkerchiefs, napkins, wrappers, shawls, ete.) were brought from his body to the sick; and the diseases de parted from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.' The Ephesians had not unnaturally in ferred that the apostle's miraculous power could be communicated by such a mode of contact; and certainly cures thus received by parties at a dis tance, among a people famed for their addicted ness to 'curious arts.' i. e., magical skill, etc., would serve to convince them of the truth of the minds. But it is not said that Paul sent these napkins.