In biblical times, the concept of body-cover, or clothing, holds significant theological and cultural importance. Clothing is not merely a practical necessity but also carries symbolic meanings throughout the Scriptures. From the garments of Adam and Eve to the robes of righteousness, body-cover in the Bible often reflects deeper spiritual truths.

Genesis and the Origin of Clothing

The first mention of clothing in the Bible occurs in Genesis 3:7, following the fall of Adam and Eve: "Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves" . This act of covering themselves signifies the awareness of sin and the loss of innocence. Later, God provides them with more durable garments: "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them" (Genesis 3:21). This divine provision of clothing symbolizes God's care and the covering of sin, foreshadowing the ultimate covering through Christ.

Priestly Garments

In the Old Testament, specific garments are prescribed for the priests, emphasizing the holiness required to approach God. Exodus 28 details the intricate design of the priestly garments, including the ephod, breastplate, and robe. These garments serve not only as body-cover but also as symbols of the priest's role as mediator between God and the people. Exodus 28:2 states, "Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and splendor" . The priestly attire underscores the sanctity and reverence necessary in worship.

Prophetic Symbolism

Prophets often used clothing as a symbol in their messages. For instance, Isaiah walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign against Egypt and Cush (Isaiah 20:2-4). This act of removing body-cover served as a prophetic warning of impending judgment and captivity. Similarly, the tearing of garments is a common biblical expression of mourning, repentance, or distress, as seen in the actions of Job (Job 1:20) and King Josiah (2 Kings 22:11).

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, clothing continues to hold spiritual significance. Jesus warns against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who "make their phylacteries broad and the tassels on their garments long" (Matthew 23:5), highlighting the importance of inner righteousness over outward appearances. The Apostle Paul uses clothing metaphorically to describe the Christian life, urging believers to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24).

Robes of Righteousness

The imagery of clothing is also used to describe salvation and righteousness. Isaiah 61:10 proclaims, "I will rejoice greatly in the LORD; my soul will exult in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness" . This metaphor of divine body-cover signifies the transformation and purity bestowed upon believers through faith in Christ.

Eschatological Imagery

In the book of Revelation, clothing symbolizes the purity and victory of the saints. Revelation 7:9 describes a great multitude standing before the throne, "clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands" . The white robes represent the righteousness of the redeemed, washed in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14).

Throughout the Bible, body-cover serves as a multifaceted symbol, reflecting themes of sin, redemption, holiness, and eternal life. The biblical narrative uses clothing to convey profound spiritual truths, illustrating the relationship between humanity and the divine.Body-cover (11 Occurrences)

Judges 5:8
They had no one to make arms, there were no more armed men in the towns; was there a body-cover or a spear to be seen among forty thousand in Israel?
(BBE)

1 Samuel 17:7
The stem of his spear was as long as a cloth-worker's rod, and its head was made of six hundred shekels' weight of iron: and one went before him with his body-cover.
(BBE)

1 Samuel 17:41
And the Philistine came nearer to David; and the man who had his body-cover went before him.
(BBE)

1 Chronicles 5:18
There were forty-four thousand, seven hundred and sixty of the sons of Reuben and of the Gadites and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, all strong men, expert in the use of the body-cover, the sword, and the bow, and in the art of war, all able to take up arms.
(BBE)

2 Chronicles 25:5
Then Amaziah got all Judah together and put them in order by their families, even all Judah and Benjamin, under captains of thousands and captains of hundreds: and he had those of twenty years old and over numbered, and they came to three hundred thousand of the best fighting-men, trained for war and in the use of the spear and the body-cover.
(BBE)

Psalms 76:3
There were the arrows of the bow broken, there he put an end to body-cover, sword, and fight. (Selah.)
(BBE)

Jeremiah 46:3
Get out the breastplate and body-cover, and come together to the fight.
(BBE)

Jeremiah 46:9
Go up, you horses; go rushing on, you carriages of war; go out, you men of war: Cush and Put, gripping the body-cover, and the Ludim, with bent bows.
(BBE)

Ezekiel 23:24
And they will come against you from the north on horseback, with war-carriages and a great band of peoples; they will put themselves in order against you with breastplate and body-cover and metal head-dress round about you: and I will make them your judges, and they will give their decision against you as seems right to them.
(BBE)

Ezekiel 38:4
And turning you round, I will put hooks in your mouth and make you come out with all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them in full war-dress, a great force with breastplate and body-cover, all of them armed with swords:
(BBE)

Ezekiel 38:5
Persia, Cush, and Put with them; all of them with body-cover and metal head-dress:
(BBE)

Body-cover (11 Occurrences)
Body-cover. Body-coats, Body-cover. Body-covers . Multi-Version
Concordance Body-cover (11 Occurrences). Judges 5:8 ...
/b/body-cover.htm - 10k

Breastplate (45 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). Jeremiah 46:3 Get out the breastplate
and body-cover, and come together to the fight. (BBE). ...
/b/breastplate.htm - 24k

Head-dress (22 Occurrences)
... the north on horseback, with war-carriages and a great band of peoples; they will
put themselves in order against you with breastplate and body-cover and metal ...
/h/head-dress.htm - 14k

Body-covers (25 Occurrences)
Body-covers. Body-cover, Body-covers. Bodyguard . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Body-cover, Body-covers. Bodyguard . Reference Bible.
/b/body-covers.htm - 14k

Metal (69 Occurrences)
... the north on horseback, with war-carriages and a great band of peoples; they will
put themselves in order against you with breastplate and body-cover and metal ...
/m/metal.htm - 30k

Gripping (6 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 46:9 Go up, you horses; go rushing on, you carriages of war; go out, you
men of war: Cush and Put, gripping the body-cover, and the Ludim, with bent ...
/g/gripping.htm - 8k

War-dress (6 Occurrences)
... your mouth and make you come out with all your army, horses and horsemen, all of
them in full war-dress, a great force with breastplate and body-cover, all of ...
/w/war-dress.htm - 8k

Body-coats (4 Occurrences)
Body-coats. Body-coat, Body-coats. Body-cover . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY). Body-coat, Body-coats. Body-cover . Reference Bible.
/b/body-coats.htm - 7k

Cloth-worker's (4 Occurrences)
... stem of his spear was as long as a cloth-worker's rod, and its head was made of
six hundred shekels' weight of iron: and one went before him with his body-cover...
/c/cloth-worker's.htm - 7k

Stem (18 Occurrences)
... stem of his spear was as long as a cloth-worker's rod, and its head was made of
six hundred shekels' weight of iron: and one went before him with his body-cover...
/s/stem.htm - 13k

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