Dress @ (1.) Materials used. The earliest and simplest an apron of fig-leaves sewed together Genesis:3:7); then skins of animals (3:21). Elijah's dress was probably the skin of a sheep ( 2Kings:1:8). The Hebrews were early acquainted with the art of weaving hair into cloth Exodus:26:7Exodus:35:6), which formed the sackcloth of mourners. This was the material of John the Baptist's robe Matthew:3:4). Wool was also woven into garments Leviticus:13:47; Deuteronomy:22:11; Ezekiel:34:3; Job:31:20; Proverbs:27:26). The Israelites probably learned the art of weaving linen when they were in Egypt ( 1Chronicles:4:21). Fine linen was used in the vestments of the high priest Exodus:28:5), as well as by the rich Genesis:41:42; Proverbs:31:22; Luke:16:19). The use of mixed material, as wool and flax, was forbidden Leviticus:19:19; Deuteronomy:22:11). (2.) Colour. The prevailing colour was the natural white of the material used, which was sometimes rendered purer by the fuller's art Psalms:104:1-2; Isaiah:63:3; Mark:9:3). The Hebrews were acquainted with the art of dyeing Genesis:37:3Genesis:37:23). Various modes of ornamentation were adopted in the process of weaving Exodus:28:6Exodus:26:1-31Exodus:35:25 ), and by needle-work Judges:5:30; Psalms:45:13). Dyed robes were imported from foreign countries, particularly from Phoenicia Zephaniah:1:8). Purple and scarlet robes were the marks of the wealthy Luke:16:19; 2Samuel:1:24). (3.) Form. The robes of men and women were not very much different in form from each other. (a) The "coat" (kethoneth), of wool, cotton, or linen, was worn by both sexes. It was a closely-fitting garment, resembling in use and form our shirt John:19:23). It was kept close to the body by a girdle John:21:7). A person wearing this "coat" alone was described as naked ( 1Samuel:19:24; Isaiah:20:2; 2Kings:6:30; John:21:7); deprived of it he would be absolutely naked. (b) A linen cloth or wrapper (sadin) of fine linen, used somewhat as a night-shirt Mark:14:51). It is mentioned in Judges:14:12-13, and rendered there "sheets." (c) An upper tunic (meil), longer than the "coat" ( 1Samuel:2:191Samuel:24:41Samuel:28:14 ). In 1Samuel:28:14 it is the mantle in which Samuel was enveloped; in 1Samuel:24:4 it is the "robe" under which Saul slept. The disciples were forbidden to wear two "coats" Matthew:10:10; Luke:9:3). (d) The usual outer garment consisted of a piece of woollen cloth like a Scotch plaid, either wrapped round the body or thrown over the shoulders like a shawl, with the ends hanging down in front, or it might be thrown over the head so as to conceal the face ( 2Samuel:15:30; Esther:6:12). It was confined to the waist by a girdle, and the fold formed by the overlapping of the robe served as a pocket ( 2Kings:4:39; Psalms:79:12; Haggai:2:12; Proverbs:17:23Proverbs:21:14). Female dress. The "coat" was common to both sexes (Cant. 5:3). But peculiar to females were (1) the "veil" or "wimple," a kind of shawl Ruth:3:15; rendered "mantle," R.V., Isaiah:3:22); (2) the "mantle," also a species of shawl Isaiah:3:22); (3) a "veil," probably a light summer dress Genesis:24:65); (4) a "stomacher," a holiday dress Isaiah:3:24). The outer garment terminated in an ample fringe or border, which concealed the feet Isaiah:47:2; Jeremiah:13:22). The dress of the Persians is described in Daniel:3:21. The reference to the art of sewing are few, inasmuch as the garments generally came forth from the loom ready for being worn, and all that was required in the making of clothes devolved on the women of a family Proverbs:31:22; Acts:9:39). Extravagance in dress is referred to in Jeremiah:4:30; Ezekiel:16:10; Zephaniah:1:8 (R.V., "foreign apparel"); 1Timothy:2:9; 1Peter:3:3. Rending the robes was expressive of grief Genesis:37:29Genesis:37:34), fear (kjvKings:21:27), indignation ( 2Kings:5:7), or despair Judges:11:35; Esther:4:1). Shaking the garments, or shaking the dust from off them, was a sign of renunciation Acts:18:6); wrapping them round the head, of awe (kjvKings:19:13) or grief ( 2Samuel:15:30; casting them off, of excitement Acts:22:23); laying hold of them, of supplication ( 1Samuel:15:27). In the case of travelling, the outer garments were girded up (kjvKings:18:46). They were thrown aside also when they would impede action Mark:10:50; John:13:4; Acts:7:58).
Home
Bible
PCARR
Discuss
Help
BibleTools>