Bible Dictionaries
Apparel

Easton's Bible Dictionary

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 ).

Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.

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