Clothes in Biblical History

Bible History

Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

What is Clothes?
CLOTHES or CLOTH'ING
The immobility of the East is evinced in nothing more than in the absence of any change in dress from generation to generation. The clothing of the ancient Hebrews may be known from that of the modern Orientals. The ordinary dress consisted of the inner garment, the outer garment, a girdle, and sandals. 1. The inner garment originally was a sort of shirt, sleeveless, and reaching only to the knees. Afterward it was larger and longer, and with sleeves. A girdle confined it around the waist. Jud 14:13. A person with only it on was said to be naked. 1 Sam 19:24; Isa 20:2-4; John 21:7. Its material was wool, cotton, or linen, varying in quality according to the taste and wealth of the owner. This inner garment is commonly translated in the Bible "coat," but "shirt" would be more correct. 2. The girdle. -When the garments came to be made long and flowing they were confined around the loins with girdles, which served not only to bind A Modern Arab. A Modern Greek. them to the body, but also to hold them when tucked up. This increased the gracefulness of their appearance and prevented them from interfering with labor or motion. Hence "to gird up the loins" became a significant figurative expression, denoting readiness for service, activity, and watchfulness, and "to loose the girdle" was to give way to repose and indolence. 2 Kgs 4:29; Job 38:3; Isa 5:27; Jer 1:17; Luke 12:35; John 21:7; Acts 12:8; 1 Pet 1:13. This girdle was a belt or band of cord, cloth, or leather, 6 inches or more in breadth, with a clasp affixed to loosen or draw it closer. Sometimes the girdle was made of linen, Eze 16:10, and was often adorned with rich and beautiful ornaments of metal, precious stones, and embroidery. The girdle was used to carry weapons, 2 Sam 20:8, money, and other things usually carried by us in the pocket. The Arabs carry their daggers in it, pointing to the right side, and through all the East it is the place for the handkerchief, smoking-materials, and the implements of one's profession. See INK HORN. The word translated "purses," Matt 10:9, is in other places translated "girdle." The girdle not only protected the body, but braced it with strength and firmness. The girdle is supposed by some to have been a chief article or appendage of the armor; hence to have it continually fastened upon the person is emblematical of great fidelity and vigilance. And because it encircled the body very closely, the Girded for Walking. perfect adherence of the people of God to his service is figuratively illustrated by the cleaving of the girdle to a man's loins. Jer 13:11. In the same view, righteousness and faithfulness are called by the prophet, Isa 11:6, "the girdle" of the promised Messiah. 1. The outer or upper garment, Matt 21:8, or cloak, Matt 5:40, was a square or oblong strip of cloth, 2 or 3 yards long and 2 yards wide. Such a garment is now worn by the Arabs. It was simply wrapped around the body as a protection from the weather; and when occasion required, it might be thrown over the shoulder and under the arm, somewhat like an Indian blanket, and be fastened with clasps or buckles, two corners being in front, which were called skirts, and were often used as aprons sometimes are among us. Ex 12:34; 2 Kgs 4:29; Luke 6:38. The Arabs throw this garment over the left shoulder and under the right arm, and thus cover the whole body, leaving only the right arm exposed. This garment was the poor man's bed-clothing. Ex 22:26-27; Job 22:6; Job 24:7. This was probably the cloak and the coat or linen garment to which reference is had in Matt 5:40, and, in a more ample form, was called a robe, Luke 23:11, or a mantle. 2 Kgs 2:8. It is supposed that the fringes, with the blue ribbon. Num 15:38, were placed on the corners or borders of this garment. Matt 23:5. They are seen still on ancient monuments. In winter fur dresses or skins were worn, as at the present day, in Eastern countries. A dress of sheep- or goatskins is, perhaps, meant in 2 Kgs 1:8 and Zech 13:4. The common skins of this kind were worn by the poorest and meanest people, Heb 11:37, but the fur dresses were sometimes very costly, and constituted a part of the royal apparel. The word translated "robe," Jon 3:6, is supposed to mean a fur garment. The sheep's clothing, Matt 7:15, was considered emblematical of innocence and gentleness, and was the disguise of the false prophets, who were, in truth, fierce and ravenous as wolves for the blood of souls. The word translated "sheets," Jud 14:12-13, is supposed to denote some kind of garment worn next to the skin, and probably the same which is spoken of under the general name of "fine linen" in Prov 31:24; Isa 3:23; and Mark 15:46. See Sheets. The linen cloth mentioned in Mark 14:51 was probably an article of bedclothing caught up in haste and thrown around the body -"a wrapper of fine linen, which might be used in various ways, but especially as a night-shirt." The Arabs use for a complete dress by day the same garment which serves them for a bed and covering by night. Deut 24:13. Such also is the use of the Highlander's plaid. The dress of the women differed from the men's only in the outer garments. A veil further distinguished them. It was considered a token of modesty in unmarried women. Gen 24:65, and of subjection and reverence in those that were married. 1 Cor 11:3-10. The robe was often made full, and when tucked up the front of it would answer the purpose of a large apron, which is one meaning of the word translated "veil." Ruth 3:15. The Arabs put their hykes or cloaks to a like use. Handkerchiefs. Acts 19:12. -These were common among the Hebrews. The people of Eastern nations at this day carry them in their hands, and they are often wrought beautifully with the needle. Aprons, mentioned in Acts 19:12, were sweat-cloths from the apostle's body. 1. Sandals and shoes. Deut 25:9; Mark 6:9. -The sandal was at first a flat piece of wood or leather suited to the sole of the foot, and bound upon it by straps or strings. The fastening was called a latchet. Gen 14:23. The common sandal is made of a piece of hide from the neck of a camel, and sometimes of several thicknesses sewed together. It is fastened by two straps, one of which passes between the great and second toe, and the other around the heel and over the instep. Hence it appears that the shoe was easily slipped off, and that it afforded no protection from the dust and dirt. Sandals were never worn in the house. The taking off of the shoes was a mark of reverence shown to exalted persons and sacred places. At the doors of Hindoo pagodas and Mohammedan mosques sandals are collected in great numbers for the use of strangers. The necessity of washing the feet after every walk is obvious, and it was the first token of hospitality to supply water for this purpose. Gen 24:32; Luke 7:44. To unloose the straps or latchets was the business of a menial, Mark 1:7, as was also the washing of the feet. John 13:1-16. The wooden sandal is much worn in Arabia, Judaea, and Egypt. Though often expensive and neat, it was usually a cheap, coarse, and very clumsy article. The following represent various forms of sandals which are still in common use in many countries of the East. Sandals. (From Farrar's "Life of Christ.") Mitre, Ex 39:28, or bonnet, Ex 28:40, was a part of the sacred dress only, worn on the head. The Arab women wear a cap of folded cloth not unlike the modern turban, and the Hebrew women wore head-dresses of various shapes. Isa 3:20. Blue fringes were attached to the four corners of the outer garment to remind the wearer of God's commandments. Num 15:37-39. It was one of the fringes of Jesus's garment which is called the "hem" touched by the woman. Matt 9:20; Luke 8:44. For enlarging these fringes to attract notice Jesus rebukes the Pharisees. Matt 23:5. Change of raiment or garments. 2 Kgs 5:5, Josh 11:22. -It is customary in the East at this day to make presents of garments; and the Asiatic princes keep changes of raiment ready made for presents to persons of distinction whom they wish particularly to honor. The simple and uniform shape of the garments makes this custom practicable, and accounts also for the change of one person's dress for another's which is mentioned in sacred history. Gen 27:15; 1 Sam 18:4. See also Deut 22:5; Luke 15:22. Changeable suits of apparel, or festal robes, Isa 3:22, are supposed to have been made of some thin fabric ornamented with embroidery and worn over garments of various colors; of which beautiful representations are to be seen in Indian paintings. Coat of many colors. -This was, properly speaking, a "shirt of extremities" --a "shirt" which reached to the feet -probably made of fine material. Gen 37:3. Among the appendages to Jewish dress were jewels of gold and silver, bracelets, necklaces, ear-rings, etc. Nose- and ear-rings are very common in the East. The thread, Gen 14:23, is supposed by some to mean the thread Eastern Fringed Garment. (From Farar's "Life of Christ.") on which precious stones were hung for neck-chains. Eze 16:11. Bracelets were worn on the arms by both sexes, 2 Sam 1:10, and by females upon the leg also. Isa 3:19-20. See Bracelets. Women in Persia and Arabia wear rings full of little bells about the ankle. Isa 3:16. Hand-mirrors, made of molten brass and finely polished, were also a common accompaniment of female dress, Ex 38:8; Isa 3:23;, and were either carried in the hand or suspended from the girdle or neck. In later times these mirrors were made of polished steel. All the Grecian and Roman women, without distinction, wore their hair long. On this they lavished all their art, disposing it in various forms and embellishing it with many ornaments. In ancient medals and statues we see the plaited tresses interwoven with expensive and fantastic decorations so pointedly condemned by the apostle as proofs of a vain mind, and as inconsistent with the modesty and decorum of Christian women. 1 Tim 2:9-10; 1 Pet 3:1, 1 Pet 3:3-4. See Phylacteries. Rending Clothes. See Rend.

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Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'clothes' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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