Definition and Cultural Context:
Dressing in biblical times encompassed the clothing, adornments, and grooming practices of individuals as described in the Scriptures. Clothing served not only practical purposes but also held significant cultural, social, and religious meanings. The Bible provides insights into the materials, styles, and symbolic meanings of dress, reflecting the customs and values of ancient Near Eastern societies.

Materials and Styles:
Biblical attire was typically made from wool, linen, and occasionally leather. The Israelites were skilled in weaving and dyeing, producing garments that varied in color and quality. Common garments included tunics, cloaks, and girdles. The tunic, or "ketonet," was a basic garment worn by both men and women, often reaching the knees or ankles. Over the tunic, a cloak or "simlah" was worn, providing warmth and protection.

Symbolism and Significance:
Clothing in the Bible often carried symbolic meanings. For instance, Joseph's "robe of many colors" (Genesis 37:3) symbolized his father's favoritism and sparked jealousy among his brothers. Sackcloth, made from coarse goat's hair, was worn as a sign of mourning or repentance (e.g., Jonah 3:6). White garments symbolized purity and righteousness, as seen in Revelation 7:9 , where the multitude stands before the Lamb in white robes.

Religious and Moral Implications:
The Bible addresses the moral and religious implications of dressing, emphasizing modesty and humility. In 1 Timothy 2:9-10 , women are instructed to dress modestly and with decency, focusing on good deeds rather than outward adornment. Similarly, 1 Peter 3:3-4 advises women to prioritize inner beauty over external appearance.

Priestly Garments:
Special attention is given to the attire of the priests, particularly the high priest, whose garments were intricately designed and rich in symbolism. Exodus 28 describes the ephod, breastplate, robe, and turban, each element signifying aspects of holiness and service to God. The high priest's garments were made from fine linen and adorned with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, symbolizing the glory and beauty of the priestly office.

Prohibitions and Regulations:
The Mosaic Law included specific regulations regarding clothing. For example, Deuteronomy 22:11 prohibits wearing garments made of wool and linen woven together, reflecting a concern for purity and separation. Additionally, men and women were instructed not to wear each other's clothing, as stated in Deuteronomy 22:5 , to maintain distinct gender roles.

Adornment and Jewelry:
While the Bible acknowledges the use of jewelry and adornments, it often warns against excessive focus on outward appearance. Proverbs 31:30 highlights the value of fearing the Lord over charm and beauty. In Isaiah 3:16-24 , the prophet condemns the pride and vanity of the daughters of Zion, predicting the removal of their finery as a consequence of their haughtiness.

Conclusion:
Dressing in biblical times was a complex interplay of cultural, social, and religious factors. The Scriptures provide guidance on the appropriate use of clothing and adornment, emphasizing modesty, humility, and the pursuit of inner beauty. Through the lens of biblical teaching, dressing becomes an expression of one's values and relationship with God.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Dress.

2. (n.) Dress; raiment; especially, ornamental habiliment or attire.

3. (n.) An application (a remedy, bandage, etc.) to a sore or wound.

4. (n.) Manure or compost over land. When it remains on the surface, it is called a top-dressing.

5. (n.) A preparation to fit food for use; a condiment; as, a dressing for salad.

6. (n.) The stuffing of fowls, pigs, etc.; forcemeat.

7. (n.) Gum, starch, and the like, used in stiffening or finishing silk, linen, and other fabrics.

8. (n.) An ornamental finish, as a molding around doors, windows, or on a ceiling, etc.

9. (n.) Castigation; scolding; -- often with down.

Of Elaborate Dressing of the Hair in Other Ways, and Its Bearing ...
... Book II. Chapter VII."Of Elaborate Dressing of the Hair in Other Ways,
and Its Bearing Upon Salvation. What service, again, does ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter vii of elaborate dressing of.htm

Christian Women, Further, have not the Same Causes for Appearing ...
... Book II. Chapter XI."Christian Women, Further, Have Not the Same Causes for Appearing
in Public, and Hence for Dressing in Fine Array as Gentiles. ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter xi christian women further have.htm

Mighty to Save
... By special care in dressing his diseased limb I was able considerably to lessen
his sufferings, and he soon began to manifest grateful appreciation of my ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter vii mighty to save.htm

On the Apparel of Women
... Chapter VI.--Of Dyeing the Hair. Chapter VII.--Of Elaborate Dressing of
the Hair in Other Ways, and Its Bearing Upon Salvation. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on the apparel of women/

Virtues of the Mantle. It Pleads in Its Own Defence.
... [64] Nowhere is there a compulsory waste of time in dressing yourself (in
it), seeing that its whole art consists in loosely covering. ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter v virtues of the mantle.htm

The Way of Fellowship
... Sin always involves us in being unreal, pretending, duplicity, window dressing,
excusing ourselves and blaming others"and we can do all that as much by our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 3 the way of.htm

Money for Postage.
... which my eyes rested. While dressing for the day, I glance at the open page,
or sometimes turning over the leaves. But my old Bible ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/money for postage.htm

Peter Commits Perjury.
... Caiaphas, in his bed chamber, wearing a dressing gown, surrounded by priests, exulted
over the news which had been brought him of the arrest of Jesus. ...
/.../stead/king of the jews/chapter v peter commits perjury.htm

The Fift Part.
... First, know that zeale knowes no such unmannerly courses, as to slubber over a few
prayers, whiles you are dressing and undressing your selves, as most doe ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/the fift part.htm

Those Days it was Near Twelve O'Clock by the Great Dial of History ...
... Her daughter stood in the midst of a group of maids who were dressing her
hair. "Arria, will you come to me?" said the Lady Lucia. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 2 those days it.htm

Dressing (7 Occurrences)
... When it remains on the surface, it is called a top-dressing. 5. (n.) A preparation
to fit food for use; a condiment; as, a dressing for salad. ...
/d/dressing.htm - 9k

Ornaments (50 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Do not let your ornaments be those of the body such as dressing of the
hair, or putting on of jewels of gold or fair clothing; (BBE). ...
/o/ornaments.htm - 22k

Nails (16 Occurrences)
... In a similar sense it is found in 2 Samuel 19:24, where it is used to express
the dressing of the feet anti the trimming of the beard. ...
/n/nails.htm - 12k

Undress (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To divest of clothes; to strip. 2. (vt) To divest of ornaments to disrobe.
3. (vt) To take the dressing, or covering, from; as, to undress a wound. ...
/u/undress.htm - 7k

Lint (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Linen scraped or otherwise made into a soft, downy or fleecy substance for
dressing wounds and sores; also, fine ravelings, down, fluff, or loose short ...
/l/lint.htm - 6k

Luxurious (9 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY). Luke 23:11 Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing
him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate. (WEB). ...
/l/luxurious.htm - 9k

Gown (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) A loose wrapper worn by gentlemen within doors; a dressing gown. 5. (n.)
Any sort of dress or garb. Multi-Version Concordance Gown (1 Occurrence). ...
/g/gown.htm - 7k

Tassel (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A male hawk. See Tercel. 2. (n.) A kind
of bur used in dressing cloth; a teasel. 3. (n.) A pendent ...
/t/tassel.htm - 9k

Tanner (3 Occurrences)
... is blackened on one side by rubbing on a solution made by boiling vinegar with old
nails or pieces of copper, and the skin is finally given a dressing of olive ...
/t/tanner.htm - 11k

Treating (9 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:11 Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him
in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate. (See NAS). ...
/t/treating.htm - 9k

What does the Bible say about cross-dressing / transvestism? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to dress modestly? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian be involved with cosplay? | GotQuestions.org

Dressing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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