Breeches, a term used to describe a type of garment covering the loins and thighs, are mentioned in the context of priestly attire in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word often translated as "breeches" is "miknac," which refers to linen undergarments worn by the priests to maintain modesty and propriety during their service in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 28:42 · In the instructions given to Moses regarding the priestly garments, God commands, "Make linen undergarments to cover their naked bodies; they must extend from the waist to the thighs." . This directive was part of the broader set of instructions for the sacred garments of Aaron and his sons, emphasizing the importance of holiness and purity in their service.

2. Leviticus 6:10 · The role of the breeches is further highlighted in the daily duties of the priests: "The priest is to put on his linen robe, with linen undergarments next to his body, and remove the ashes of the burnt offering that the fire has consumed on the altar, and place them beside it." . This passage underscores the practical aspect of the breeches, ensuring the priest's modesty during their sacred duties.

3. Leviticus 16:4 · On the Day of Atonement, the high priest was required to wear special garments, including breeches: "He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on." . This highlights the significance of the breeches as part of the consecrated attire necessary for entering the Holy of Holies.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, clothing often symbolized one's status and role. For the Israelite priests, the breeches were not merely functional but also symbolic of their set-apart status. The requirement for linen, a fabric associated with purity, further emphasized the need for holiness in approaching God.

Theologically, the breeches served as a constant reminder of the need for modesty and the covering of human nakedness, which is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. This concept harkens back to the Garden of Eden, where God provided garments for Adam and Eve after the Fall (Genesis 3:21), symbolizing the covering of sin and shame.

Application in Worship and Conduct:

The instructions regarding breeches reflect the broader biblical principle of approaching God with reverence and respect. For the priests, wearing these garments was an act of obedience and a demonstration of their commitment to God's standards. This principle extends to all believers, who are called to live lives of holiness and modesty, recognizing their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

In summary, breeches in the biblical context were more than just a piece of clothing; they were an integral part of the priestly garments that underscored the themes of modesty, purity, and reverence in worship.(Exodus 28:42), rather linen drawers, reaching from the waist to a little above the knee, worn by the priests (Ezek. 44:17, 18). 1. (n. pl.) A garment worn by men, covering the hips and thighs; smallclothes.

2. (n. pl.) Trousers; pantaloons.

BREECHES

brich'-iz, brech'-iz: A garment, extending from the waist to or just below the knee or to the ankle, and covering each leg separately. Breeches are not listed among the garments of an ordinary wardrobe, but the priests in later times (Exodus 20:26) wore a garment resembling modern trousers. These priestly linen breeches, mikhnece bhadh, were worn along with the linen coat, the linen girdle and the linen turban by Aaron on the Day of Atonement, when he entered the "holy place." (The word mikhnece is derived from a root, kanac = ganaz, "to cover up," "hide.") Ordinary priests also wore them on sacrificial occasions (Exodus 28:42; Exodus 39:28 Leviticus 6:10 Ezekiel 44:18). Apart from the breeches just referred to, the only reference to a similar garment among the Israelites is found in Daniel 3:21, where the carbal, the Revised Version (British and American) "hosen," is mentioned. (The King James Version translates "coats.") The rendering of the King James Version is the more likely, though the meaning of the Aramaic sarbal is obscure (compare the thorough discussion in Ges., Thesaurus). In Targum and Talmud (compare Levy, NHWB, under the word), and is so taken by the rabbinical commentators. Still, Aquila and Theodotion (sarabara), Septuagint in Daniel 3:27, Symmachus (anaxurides), Peshitta, express the meaning "trousers" (of a looser kind than those worn by us), a garment known (from Herodotus and other sources) to have been worn by the ancient Scythians and Persians, and to have been called by them sarabara. The word, with the same connotation, was brought into the Arabic in the form sirwal. In both these senses the word may be originally Persian: in that of mantle, meaning properly (according to Andreas) a "head-covering" (sarabara), for which in Persia the peasants often use their mantle; in that of "trousers," corresponding to the modern Persian shalwar, "under-breeches." Cook has pointed out that "mantles, long-flowing robes, and therefore extremely liable to catch the flames," are more likely to be especially mentioned in this chapter than trousers, or (Revised Version) "hosen."

The word paTish (Daniel 3:21), is also uncertain. The Septuagint and Theodotion render tiarai, "turbans"; Peshitta has the same word, which is variously taken by Syrian lexicographers as "tunic," "trousers," or a kind of "gaiter" (Payne Smith, Thes. Syriac., col. 3098). (For further discussion of these words, compare commentaries on Daniel of Jour. Phil., XXVI, 307 if.)

In general, we must remember that a thorough discussion of Israelite "dress" is impossible, because of the limitations of our sources.

H. J. Wolf

4370. miknas -- an undergarment
... undergarments. Word Origin from kanas Definition an undergarment NASB Word
Usage breeches (2), undergarments (3). breeches. From kamac ...
/hebrew/4370.htm - 6k

Whether the Vestments of the Ministers are Fittingly Instituted in ...
... the Old Testament. Now among the vestments of the Old Testament there were
the breeches as a sign of chastity. Much more therefore ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the vestments of the.htm

His Arrival in Apulia, Venice, Ferrara, and Genoa --He is ...
... Although the winter had set in with intense cold and a heavy fall of snow, Ignatius
had no garments save a pair of knee-breeches of a very rough texture ...
/.../loyola/the autobiography of st ignatius/chapter v his arrival in.htm

The Day of Atonement
... You read in the 4th verse, "He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have
the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the day of atonement.htm

On the Different Functions of Modesty. ...
... The priests, also, under the old law, as we read in Exodus, wore breeches, as it
was told Moses by the Lord: "And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xviii on the different.htm

The Day of Atonement
... with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.4. He shall
put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

Concerning Theudas and the Sons of Judas the Galilean; as Also ...
... But on the fourth day of the feast, a certain soldier let down his breeches, and
exposed his privy members to the multitude, which put those that saw him into ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 concerning theudas and.htm

Concerning the Garments of the Priests, and of the High Priest.
... It is a girdle, composed of fine twined linen, and is put about the privy parts,
the feet being to be inserted into them in the nature of breeches, but above ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 concerning the garments.htm

Wesley Clothes French Prisoners
... the next day. With this we bought linen and woolen cloth, which were made
up into shirts, waistcoats, and breeches. Some dozen of ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley clothes french prisoners.htm

On a Piece of Chalk. A Lecture to Working Men.
... words well when I assert, that the man who should know the true history of the bit
of chalk which every carpenter carries about in his breeches-pocket, though ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/ix on a piece of.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... name. Eighthly, there were "the linen breeches to cover the flesh of their
nakedness," when they went up to the sanctuary or altar. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

Breeches (6 Occurrences)
...BREECHES. brich'-iz, brech'-iz: A garment, extending from the waist to or just below
the knee or to the ankle, and covering each leg separately. ...
/b/breeches.htm - 12k

Undergarments (6 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:42 You shall make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness;
from the waist even to the thighs they shall reach: (See NIV). ...
/u/undergarments.htm - 8k

Turban (13 Occurrences)
... Exodus 39:28 and the turban of fine linen, and the linen headbands of fine linen,
and the linen breeches of fine twined linen, (WEB DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/t/turban.htm - 11k

Miter (9 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Exodus 39:28 And a miter of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen,
and linen breeches of fine twined linen, (WBS). Exodus ...
/m/miter.htm - 9k

Bonnets (7 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). 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

Mitre (10 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV YLT). Exodus 39:28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of
fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen, (KJV JPS ASV YLT). ...
/m/mitre.htm - 12k

Sweat (3 Occurrences)
... shall have linen tires upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their
loins; they shall not gird themselves with anything that causeth sweat ...
/s/sweat.htm - 14k

Breed (6 Occurrences)

/b/breed.htm - 10k

Bred (7 Occurrences)

/b/bred.htm - 8k

Linen (111 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:42 You shall make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness;
from the waist even to the thighs they shall reach: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE ...
/l/linen.htm - 50k

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