In the context of the Bible, the term "bonnets" refers to specific head coverings worn primarily by priests in ancient Israel. These garments are mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Exodus and Leviticus, as part of the priestly attire prescribed by God for the service in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 28:40 : "Make tunics, sashes, and headbands for Aaron’s sons, to give them glory and splendor." In this passage, the "headbands" are often understood to refer to the bonnets or caps worn by the sons of Aaron, who served as priests. These garments were part of the sacred vestments that signified their consecration and service to God.

2. Exodus 39:28 : "They also made the turban of fine linen, the headbands, and the undergarments of finely spun linen." Here, the "headbands" are again mentioned as part of the priestly garments, crafted from fine linen, indicating the care and quality involved in their creation.

3. Leviticus 8:13 : "Then Moses brought Aaron’s sons forward, put tunics on them, tied sashes around them, and wrapped headbands on them, as the LORD had commanded him." This verse describes the consecration of Aaron's sons, where the donning of the headbands or bonnets was a significant part of the ordination process, symbolizing their readiness and sanctification for priestly duties.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

The bonnets worn by the priests were not merely functional items but held deep symbolic meaning. They represented purity, holiness, and the distinct role of the priesthood in mediating between God and the people of Israel. The use of fine linen in their construction underscored the importance of the priests' role and the reverence due to God in worship.

The design and materials of the bonnets, as with other priestly garments, were specified by divine command, reflecting the order and sanctity that God required in His service. The attire served as a visual reminder of the priests' dedication and the sacredness of their duties.

Interpretation and Application:

In a broader theological context, the bonnets can be seen as part of the Old Covenant's emphasis on outward symbols of inward truths. The priestly garments, including the bonnets, pointed to the holiness required of those who serve God and foreshadowed the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law and the prophets.

For contemporary believers, while the specific garments are no longer required, the principles of holiness, dedication, and reverence in service to God remain central. The bonnets, as part of the priestly attire, remind Christians of the call to be a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), living lives set apart for God's glory.

Hymns of Hope and Consolation.
... died there Feb.8, 1827. He "farmed it," manufactured straw-bonnets, kept tavern
and taught singing-school. Music was only an avocation ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter xiv hymns of hope.htm

On Dress
... may we not as well buy fashionable things as unfashionable?" I answer, Not if they
give you a bold, immodest look, as those huge hats, bonnets, head-dresses do ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 88 on dress.htm

The Preacher as a Patriot.
... tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls and their round tires like
the moon, the chains and the bracelets and the mufflers, the bonnets and the ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture iii the preacher as.htm

On the Danger of Increasing Riches
... If you laid aside your need less ornaments some years since, " ruffles, necklaces,
spider-caps, ugly, unbecoming bonnets, costly linen, expensive laces ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 126 on the danger.htm

Naparima and Montserrat
... But"happily not till the end of the sermon"I became aware, just in front of me,
of a row of smartest Paris bonnets, net-lace shawls, brocades, and satins ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter x naparima and montserrat.htm

The Heroic Women of Early Indiana Methodism.
... and actual want stared them in the face, ministering by her heroic words when his
own strong heart failed, and with her own hands making calash bonnets for her ...
/.../the heroic women of early indiana methodism/the heroic women of early.htm

Disestablishment
... hempen cloth, [USD]12,148; stockings, [USD]111,021; silks (sewing and raw),
[USD]28,503; hats to the value of [USD]522,200; straw bonnets, [USD]25,100; shell ...
/.../chapter xv disestablishment.htm

An Account of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church ...
... suffer than many. 4. Give no tickets to any that wear high heads, enormous
bonnets, ruffles, or rings. SECTION XXIV. On the Privileges ...
/.../chapter 3 an account of.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

Bonnets (7 Occurrences)
...Bonnets (7 Occurrences). ... Exodus 39:28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets
of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen, (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/b/bonnets.htm - 8k

Girdles (13 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:40 And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for
them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty. ...
/g/girdles.htm - 10k

Girded (48 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:9 and hast girded them 'with' a girdle (Aaron and his sons), and hast
bound on them bonnets; and the priesthood hath been theirs by a statute age ...
/g/girded.htm - 21k

Headdress (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Not in common use among the Hebrews. It is first
mentioned in Exodus 28:40 (AV, "bonnets;" RV, "head-tires"). ...
/h/headdress.htm - 8k

Head-dress (22 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Not in common use among the Hebrews. It is first
mentioned in Exodus 28:40 (AV, "bonnets;" RV, "head-tires"). ...
/h/head-dress.htm - 14k

Goodly (46 Occurrences)
... 23, "bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar"; hodh, "his goodly horse" (Zechariah
10:3); others imply beauty, ornament, such as peer "goodly bonnets," the Revised ...
/g/goodly.htm - 25k

Bonnet (1 Occurrence)

/b/bonnet.htm - 10k

Leg (24 Occurrences)
... The other passage is in Isaiah 3:20, where the King James Version reads: "the bonnets,
and the ornaments of the legs," the Revised Version (British and American ...
/l/leg.htm - 19k

Gird (44 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:9 And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the
bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual ...
/g/gird.htm - 20k

Ear-rings (12 Occurrences)
... BBE). Isaiah 3:20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the
head-bands, and the tablets, and the ear-rings, (WBS). Ezekiel ...
/e/ear-rings.htm - 10k

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