Dress

Dress (1.) Materials used. The earliest and simplest an apron of fig-leaves sewed together (Gen 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 (Ex 26:7; 35:6), which formed the sackcloth of mourners. This was the material of John the Baptist's robe (Matt 3:4). Wool was also woven into garments (Lev 13:47; Deut 22:11; Ezek 34:3; Job 31:20; Prov 27:26). The Israelites probably learned the art of weaving linen when they were in Egypt (1Chr 4:21). Fine linen was used in the vestments of the high priest (Ex 28:5), as well as by the rich (Gen 41:42; Prov 31:22; Luke 16:19). The use of mixed material, as wool and flax, was forbidden (Lev 19:19; Deut 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 (Ps 104:1, 2; Isa 63:3; Mark 9:3). The Hebrews were acquainted with the art of dyeing (Gen 37:3, 23). Various modes of ornamentation were adopted in the process of weaving (Ex 28:6; 26:1, 31; 35:25), and by needle-work (Judg 5:30; Ps 45:13). Dyed robes were imported from foreign countries, particularly from Phoenicia (Zeph 1:8). Purple and scarlet robes were the marks of the wealthy (Luke 16:19; 2Sam 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 (1Sam 19:24; Isa 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 Judg 14:12, 13, and rendered there "sheets."

(c) An upper tunic (meil), longer than the "coat" (1Sam 2:19; 24:4; 28:14). In 1Sam 28:14 it is the mantle in which Samuel was enveloped; in 1Sam 24:4 it is the "robe" under which Saul slept. The disciples were forbidden to wear two "coats" (Matt 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 (2Sam 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; Ps 79:12; Hag 2:12; Prov 17:23; 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., Isa 3:22); (2) the "mantle," also a species of shawl (Isa 3:22); (3) a "veil," probably a light summer dress (Gen 24:65); (4) a "stomacher," a holiday dress (Isa 3:24). The outer garment terminated in an ample fringe or border, which concealed the feet (Isa 47:2; Jer 13:22).

The dress of the Persians is described in Dan 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 (Prov 31:22; Acts 9:39).

Extravagance in dress is referred to in Jer 4:30; Ezek 16:10; Zeph 1:8 (R.V., "foreign apparel"); 1Tim 2:9; 1Pet 3:3. Rending the robes was expressive of grief (Gen 37:29, 34), fear (1Kings 21:27), indignation (2Kings 5:7), or despair (Judg 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 (1Kings 19:13) or grief (2Sam 15:30; casting them off, of excitement (Acts 22:23); laying hold of them, of supplication (1Sam 15:27). In the case of travelling, the outer garments were girded up (1Kings 18:46). They were thrown aside also when they would impede action (a href='B:480 10:50'>Mark 10:50; John 13:4; Acts 7:58