Reference: GARMENTS
American
The chief garments of the Hebrews were the tunic or inner garment, and the mantle or outer garment. These seem to have constituted a "change of Rainment," Jg 14:13; 19; Ac 9:39. The tunic was of linen, and was worn next to the skin, fitting close to the body; it had armholes, and sometimes wide and open sleeves, and reached below the knees; that worn by females reached to the ankles. The tunic was sometimes woven without seam, like that of Jesus, Joh 19:23. The upper garment or mantle was a piece of cloth nearly square, and two or three yards in length and breadth, which was wrapped round the body, or tied over the shoulders. A man without this robe on was sometimes said to be "naked," Isa 20:2-4; Joh 21:7. This could be so arranged as to form a large bosom for carrying things; and the mantle also served the poor as a bed by night, Ex 22:26-27; Job 22:6. See BOSOM and BED.
Between these two garments, the Hebrews sometimes wore a third, called me-il, a long and wide robe or tunic of cotton or linen, without sleeves.
The head was usually bare, or covered from too fierce a sunshine, or from rain, by a fold of the outer mantle, 2Sa 15:30; 1Ki 19:13; Es 6:12. The priests, however, wore a mitre, bonnet, or sacred turban; and after the captivity, the Jews adopted to some extent the turban, now so universal in the East. Women wore a variety of plain and ornamented headdresses. Veils were also an article of female dress, Isa 3:19. They were of various kinds, and were used alike by married and unmarried women; generally as a token of modesty, or of subjection to the authority of the husband, Ge 24:65; 1Co 11:3-10; but sometimes for the purpose of concealment, Ge 38:14.
As the Hebrews did not change the fashion of their clothes, as we do, it was common to lay up stores of rainment beforehand, in proportion to their wealth, Isa 3:6. To this Christ alludes when he speaks of treasures, which the moth devours, Mt 6:19; Jas 5:1-2. But though there was a general uniformity in dress from age to age, no doubt various changes took place in the long course of Bible history; and at all times numerous and increasing varieties existed among the different classes, especially in materials and ornaments. In early ages, and where society was wild and rude, the skins of animals were made into clothing, Ge 3:21; Heb 11:37. Spinning, weaving, and needlework soon began to be practiced, Ex 35:25; Jg 5:30. A coarse cloth was made of goats' or camels' hair, and finer cloths of woolen, linen, and probably cotton. Their manufacture was a branch of domestic industry, Pr 31:13-24.
The great and wealthy delighted in white rainment; and hence this is also a mark of opulence and prosperity, Ec 9:8. Angels are described as clothed in pure and cheerful white; and such was the appearance of our Savior's rainment during his transfiguration, Mt 17:2. The saints, in like manner, are described as clothed in white robes, Re 7:9,13-14; the righteousness of Christ in which they are clothed is more glorious than that of the angels.
The garments of mourning among the Hebrews were sackcloth and haircloth, and their color dark brown or black, Isa 50:3; Re 6:12. As the prophets were penitents by profession, their common clothing was mourning. Widows also dressed themselves much the same. The Hebrews, in common with their neighbors, sometimes used a variety of colors for their gayer and more costly dresses, Jg 5:30. So also according to our version, Ge 37:3,23; 2Sa 13:18; though in these passages some understand a tunic with long sleeves. Blue, scarlet, and purple are most frequently referred to, the first being a sacred color. Embroidery and fine needlework were highly valued among them, Jg 5:30; Ps 45:14.
The dress of females differed from that of males less than is customary among us. Yet there was a distinction; and Moses expressly forbade any exchange of apparel between the sexes, De 22:5, a custom associated with immodesty, and with the worship of certain idols. It is not clear for what reason clothing in which linen and woolen were woven together was prohibited, De 22:11; but probably it had reference to some superstitious usage of heathenism. In Isa 3:16-23, mention is made of the decorations common among the Hebrew women of that day; among which seem to be included tunics, embroidered vests, wide flowing mantles, girdles, veils, caps of network, and metallic ornaments for the ears and nose, for the neck, arms, fingers, and ankles; also smelling-bottles and metallic mirrors. In Ac 19:12, mention is made of handkerchiefs and aprons. Drawers were used, Ex 28:42, but perhaps not generally. See GIRDLES, RINGS, and SANDALS.
Presents of dresses are alluded to very frequently in the historical books of Scripture, and in the earliest times. Joseph gave to each of his brethren a change of rainment, and to Benjamin five changes, Ge 45:22. Naaman gave to Gehazi two changes of rainment; and even Solomon received rainment as presents, 2Ch 9:24. This custom is still maintained in the East, and is mentioned by most travelers. In Turkey, the appointment to any important office is accompanied with the gift of a suitable official rove. In the parable of the wedding garment, the king expected to have found all his guests clad in roes of honor of his own providing, Mt 22:11.
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And the LORD God made Adam and his wife garments of skins, and put them on them.
and said unto the servant, "What man is this that cometh against us in the field?" And the servant said, "It is my master." And then she took her mantle, and put it about her.
And Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he begat him in his old age, and he made him a coat of many colors.
And as soon as Joseph was come unto his brethren, they stripped him out of his gay coat that was upon him,
And she put her widow's garments off from her and covered her with a cloak, and disguised herself: And sat her down at the entering of Enaim which is by the high way's side to Timnath, for because she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.
And he gave unto each of them change of raiment: but unto Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of raiment.
If thou take thy neighbor's raiment to pledge, see that thou deliver it unto him again by that the sun go down. For that is his coverlet only: even the raiment for his skin wherein he sleepeth: or else he will cry unto me and I will hear him, for I am merciful.
And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their privities: from the loins unto the thighs shall they reach.
And all the women that were wise hearted to work with their hands, span; and brought the spun work, both of jacinth, scarlet, purple and bysse.
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto the man, neither shall a man put on woman's raiment. For all that do so, are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
Thou shalt not wear a garment made of wool and flax together.
'Haply, they have found, and divide, the spoil. A maid, yea two maids for a piece: a spoil of divers colours for Sisera, a spoil of divers colours with broidered works, divers coloured broidered works for the neck for a prey.'
'Haply, they have found, and divide, the spoil. A maid, yea two maids for a piece: a spoil of divers colours for Sisera, a spoil of divers colours with broidered works, divers coloured broidered works for the neck for a prey.'
'Haply, they have found, and divide, the spoil. A maid, yea two maids for a piece: a spoil of divers colours for Sisera, a spoil of divers colours with broidered works, divers coloured broidered works for the neck for a prey.'
But and if you cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty shirts and thirty changes of garments." And they answered him, "Put forth thy riddle and let us hear it."
And David went up on Mount Olivet and wept as he went, and had his head covered and went thereto barefoot. And all the people that was with him, had every man his head covered, and as they went, wept also.
And they brought every man his present in vessels of silver and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, sweet odours, horses and mules year by year.
And Mordecai came again to the king's gate, but Haman gat him home in all the haste, mourning bare-headed,
Thou hast taken the pledge from thy brethren for naught, and robbed the naked of their clothing;
She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework; the virgins that be her fellows shall bear her company, and shall be brought unto thee.
She occupieth wool and flax, and laboureth gladly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ship, that bringeth her victuals from afar. read more. She riseth ere day and giveth meat to her household, and food to her maidens. She considereth land, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and courageth her arms. And if she perceiveth that her housewifery doth good, her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her fingers to the spindle, and her hand taketh hold of the rock. She openeth her hand to the poor, yea she stretcheth forth her hands to such as have need She feareth not that the cold of winter shall hurt her house, for all her household folks are double clothed. She maketh herself fair ornaments; her clothing is white silk and purple. Her husband is much set by in the gates, when he sitteth among the rulers of the land. She maketh cloth of silk and selleth it, and delivereth a girdle unto the merchant.
Let thy garments be always white, and let thy head want none ointment.
Yea, one shall take a friend of his own kindred by the bosom, and say, "Thou hast clothing, thou shalt be our head, for thou mayest keep us from this fall and peril."
Moreover, thus sayeth the LORD, "Seeing the daughters of Zion are become so proud, and come in with stretched out necks, and with vain wanton eyes; seeing they come in tripping so nicely with their feet: Therefore shall the Lord shave the heads of the daughters of Zion, and discover their shame." read more. In that day shall the Lord take away the gorgeousness of their apparel, and spangles, chains, partlets, and collars, bracelets and hooves,
and collars, bracelets and hooves, the goodly flowered wide and broidered raiment, brushes and headbands, read more. rings and garlands, holiday clothes and veils, kerchiefs and pins, glasses and smocks, bonnets and taches.
Then spake the LORD unto Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, "Go, and loose off that sackcloth from thy loins, and put off thy shoes from thy feet." And so he did, going naked and barefoot. Then said the LORD, "Whereas my servant Isaiah goeth naked and barefoot, it is a token and signifying of the thing that after three years shall come upon Egypt and Ethiopia. read more. For even thus shall the king of the Assyrians drive both young and old, as prisoners, naked and barefoot, out of Egypt and Ethiopia. And shall discover the shame of Egypt.
As for heaven, I clothe it with darkness, and put as it were a sack upon it.
"See that ye gather not treasure together upon the earth, where rust and moths corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his clothes were as white as the light.
Then the King came in, to visit the guests, and spied there a man which had not on a wedding garment,
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part, and also his coat. The coat was without seam, wrought upon throughout.
Then said the disciple whom Jesus loved unto Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girded his mantle to him, for he was naked, and sprang into the sea.
Peter arose and came with them: And when he was come, they brought him into the chamber, and all the widows stood round about him weeping and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them.
So that from his body were brought unto the sick, napkins or partlets, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
were stoned, were hewn asunder, were tempted, were slain with swords, walked up and down in sheep skins, in goat skins, in need, tribulation, and vexation,
Go to now, ye rich men. Weep, and howl on your wretchedness that shall come upon you. Your riches is corrupt, your garments are motheaten.
And I beheld when he opened the sixth seal, and lo there was a great earthquake, and the sun was as black as sackcloth made of hair. And the moon waxed even as blood:
After this I beheld, and lo a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and people, and tongues, stood before the seat, and before the lamb, clothed with long white garments, and palms in their hands,
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, "What are these which are arrayed in long white garments, and whence came they?" And I said unto him, "Lord, thou knowest." And he said unto me, "These are they which came out of great tribulation and made their garments large, and made them white in the blood of the lamb:
Morish
Several words are used both in the O.T. and in the N.T. for raiment, clothing, or apparel, without defining what particular garments are alluded to; and when a single garment is intended it is variously translated in the A.V. In the East few garments were needed, and they were probably much the same as those worn there at present by the natives.
1. The inner garment is the kethoneth, a long tunic worn by men and women. It was made of wool, cotton, or linen. This was the garment God made of skins for Adam and Eve, and what Jacob made of many colours for Joseph. Ge 3:21; 37:3,23-33. It formed part of the priests dress. At times another is worn over it. The bride said she had put off her 'coat' for the night, which was probably the outer one, though the Hebrew word is the same. Cant. 5:3. The kethoneth answers to the ????? of the N.T., mostly translated 'coat.' The disciples were not to take two when the Lord sent them out. Mt 10:10. It was this garment of the Lord's that was woven in one piece, Joh 19:23; and the word is used of the coats made by Dorcas. Ac 9:39.
2. The other principal garment was the simlah, a cloak, or wide outer mantle, worn by men and women, and in which they wrapped themselves at night. This might be of any texture according to the season, and according to the station in life of the wearer. The peasants often wear such, called an 'abba' of camels' or goats' hair. This garment if taken in pledge had to be returned in the evening, for without it 'wherein shall he sleep?' Ex 22:26-27; cf. De 24:13. The simlah is the garment that was rent in grief. Ge 37:34; 44:13; Jos 7:6. This corresponds to the ??????? in the N.T. It is translated 'cloak ' in Mt 5:40; Lu 6:29; and it is the robe of purple with which the soldiers mocked the Lord. Joh 19:2,5. It is the 'garment' the edge of which the woman touched, Mt 14:36; and the 'garments' of which the scribes and Pharisees enlarged the borders. Mt 23:5. It is otherwise used for 'garments' in general, as in Mt 27:35; Joh 19:23-24; and is often translated 'raiment' and 'clothes.'
3. Another prominent article of apparel and one often richly ornamented was the GIRDLE. These three, with sandals, and a handkerchief or other covering for the head, constituted the usual dress in the East.
Besides the above we read of 'changeable suits of apparel' for women. Isa 3:22.
Also 4. The MANTLE, or ROBE meil, described as 'a large tunic, worn over the common one, but without sleeves.' It was worn by priests, Ex 28:31; 1Sa 28:14; Ezr 9:3,5; by kings and princes, 1Sa 18:4; 24:4,11; by men of rank, Job 1:20 Job; 2:12: and by women, 2Sa 13:18.
5. The WIMPLE or VEIL, a wide upper garment or shawl, which covered the head and part of the body. Ruth was able to carry in such a veil six measures of barley. Ru 3:15; Isa 3:22. There are four other Hebrew words translated 'veils.'
6. The STOMACHER, apparently a wide ornamented girdle. The word occurs only in Isa 3:24.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And the LORD God made Adam and his wife garments of skins, and put them on them.
And Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he begat him in his old age, and he made him a coat of many colors.
And as soon as Joseph was come unto his brethren, they stripped him out of his gay coat that was upon him, and they took him and cast him into a pit. But the pit was empty and had no water therein. read more. And they sat them down to eat bread. And as they lift up their eyes and looked about, there came a company of Ishmaelites from Gilead, and their camels laden with spicery, balm, and myrrh, and were going down into Egypt. Then said Judah to his brethren, "What availeth it that we slay our brother, and keep his blood secret? Come on, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hands be defiled upon him: for he is our brother and our flesh." And his brethren were content. Then as the Midianites merchant men passed by, they drew Joseph out of the pit and sold him unto the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they brought him into Egypt. And when Reuben came again unto the pit and found not Joseph there, he rent his clothes, and went again unto his brethren, saying, "The lad is not yonder, and whither shall I go?" And they took Joseph's coat and killed a goat, and dipped the coat in the blood. And they sent that gay coat and caused it to be brought unto their father and said, "This have we found: see, whether it be thy son's coat or no." And he knew it, saying, "It is my son's coat: a wicked beast hath devoured him, and Joseph is rent in pieces." And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth about his loins, and sorrowed for his son a long season.
Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass and went again unto the city.
If thou take thy neighbor's raiment to pledge, see that thou deliver it unto him again by that the sun go down. For that is his coverlet only: even the raiment for his skin wherein he sleepeth: or else he will cry unto me and I will hear him, for I am merciful.
And thou shalt make the tunicle unto the ephod, altogether of jacinth.
but deliver him the pledge again by that the sun go down, and let him sleep in his own raiment and bless thee. And it shall be righteousness unto thee, before the LORD thy God.
And Joshua rent his clothes and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, both he and the elders of Israel; and put earth upon their heads.
And he said, "Bring thy mantle that thou hadst upon thee and hold it up." And she held it up. And he mette in six measures of barley and laid it on her. And she gat her into the city,
And Jonathan put off his own coat that was upon him, and gave it David, and thereto his mantle, his sword, his bow and his girdle.
And the men of David said unto him, "See, the day is come of which the LORD said unto thee, 'Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, and thou shalt do with him what it pleaseth thee.'" Then David arose and cut off the tip of Saul's coat privily.
And moreover my father, see yet the tip of thy coat in my hand. And inasmuch as I killed thee not too, when I cut off the tip of thy coat; understand and see that there is neither evil nor rebelliousness in me, and that I have not sinned against thee. And yet thou huntest after my soul to take it.
And she had a kirtle of divers colors upon her: for with such were the king's daughters that were virgins appareled; made strait unto them. Then his servant brought her out at the doors and locked the doors after her.
When I heard this, I rent my clothes and my raiment, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat mourning.
And about the evening sacrifice I rose up from my heaviness, and rent my clothes and my raiment, and fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God;
Then Job stood up, and rent his clothes, shaved his head, fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
holiday clothes and veils, kerchiefs and pins,
holiday clothes and veils, kerchiefs and pins,
And instead of good smell there shall be stink among them. And for their girdles there shall be loose bands. And for well set hair there shall be baldness. Instead of a stomacher, a sackcloth; and for their beauty, witheredness and sunburning.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
nor yet scrip towards your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet a staff: for the workman is worthy to have his meat.
and besought him, that they might touch the hem of his vesture only. And as many as touched it, were made whole.
All their works they do, for to be seen of men. They set abroad their phylacteries, and make large borders on their garments,
When they had crucified him, they parted his garments, and did cast lots. To fulfill that was spoken by the prophet, "They divided my garments among them: and upon my vesture did cast lots."
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other. And him that taketh away thy gown, forbid not to take thy coat also.
And the soldiers wound a crown of thorns and put it on his head. And they did on him a purple garment,
Then came Jesus forth wearing a crown of thorns and a robe of purple. And Pilate said unto them, "Behold the man."
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part, and also his coat. The coat was without seam, wrought upon throughout.
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part, and also his coat. The coat was without seam, wrought upon throughout. And they said one to another, "Let us not divide it: but cast lots who shall have it." That the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, 'They parted my raiment among them, and on my coat did cast lots.' And the soldiers did such things indeed.
Peter arose and came with them: And when he was come, they brought him into the chamber, and all the widows stood round about him weeping and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them.