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Bible Dictionaries
Apparel

Easton's Bible Dictionary

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In Old Testament times the distinction between male and female attire was not very marked. The statute forbidding men to wear female apparel (Deuteronomy 22:5 ) referred especially to ornaments and head-dresses. Both men and women wore (1) an under garment or tunic, which was bound by a girdle. One who had only this tunic on was spoken of as "naked" (1 Samuel 19:24; Job 24:10; Isaiah 20:2 ). Those in high stations sometimes wore two tunics, the outer being called the "upper garment" (1 Samuel 15:27; 18:4; 24:5; Job 1:20 ).
  • They wore in common an over-garment ("mantle," Isaiah 3:22; 1 Kings 19:13; 2 Kings 2:13 ), a loose and flowing robe. The folds of this upper garment could be formed into a lap (Ruth 3:15; Psalm 79:12; Proverbs 17:23; Luke 6:38 ). Generals of armies usually wore scarlet robes (Judges 8:26; Nahum 2:3 ). A form of conspicuous raiment is mentioned in Luke 20:46; Compare Matthew 23:5 .

    Priests alone wore trousers. Both men and women wore turbans. Kings and nobles usually had a store of costly garments for festive occasions (Isaiah 3:22; Zechariah 3:4 ) and for presents (Genesis 45:22; Esther 4:4; 6:8,11; 1 Samuel 18:4; 2 Kings 5:5; 10:22 ). Prophets and ascetics wore coarse garments (Isaiah 20:2; Zechariah 13:4; Matthew 3:4 ).

    Bibliography Information
    Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Apparel'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ebd/​a/apparel.html. 1897.
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