In biblical times, the term "skirts" often referred to the outer garments or the hem of a garment worn by both men and women. The concept of skirts in the Bible is rich with cultural, symbolic, and religious significance, reflecting the customs and social norms of ancient Israel and surrounding regions.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

1. Garment Construction: In ancient Israel, clothing was typically made from wool, linen, or other natural fibers. The outer garment, often referred to as a cloak or robe, would have a hem or fringe, which is sometimes translated as "skirts" in English. This garment was essential for protection against the elements and was a significant part of one's personal belongings.

2. Symbol of Authority and Protection: The hem or skirt of a garment could symbolize authority and protection. In 1 Samuel 24:4-5, David cuts off a corner of Saul's robe, symbolizing his ability to take the kingdom from Saul, yet he refrains from harming Saul, showing respect for the Lord's anointed.

3. Religious Observance: The Israelites were commanded to attach tassels to the corners of their garments as a reminder of God's commandments. Numbers 15:38-39 states, "Speak to the Israelites and tell them to make tassels for the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner. You will have these tassels to look at so that you will remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own hearts and eyes."

4. Symbol of Covenant and Relationship: The act of spreading one's skirt over another person was a symbolic gesture of protection and covenant. In Ruth 3:9 , Ruth asks Boaz, "Spread the corner of your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer." This act signifies Boaz's role as a protector and redeemer, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Moral and Ethical Implications

1. Modesty and Decency: The Bible often associates the exposure of one's skirts with shame and disgrace. In Isaiah 47:2-3 , the humiliation of Babylon is depicted through the uncovering of the skirts: "Take millstones and grind flour; remove your veil, lift up your skirts, bare your legs, and wade through the streams. Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one."

2. Judgment and Consequence: The exposure of skirts is also used metaphorically to describe the judgment and exposure of sin. In Jeremiah 13:22 , the prophet speaks of the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness: "And if you ask yourself, 'Why has this happened to me?' it is because of the magnitude of your iniquity that your skirts have been stripped off and your body has been exposed."

Conclusion

The concept of skirts in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from practical aspects of clothing to deep symbolic gestures of authority, protection, and covenant. The biblical narrative uses the imagery of skirts to convey messages of modesty, judgment, and the importance of adhering to God's commandments. Through these references, the Bible provides insight into the cultural and spiritual life of ancient Israel, offering lessons that continue to resonate with believers today.3671. kanaph -- wing, extremity
... bird* (1), corner (1), corners (4), covering (1), each other (1), edge (5), edges
(1), ends (3), fold (2), garment (1), kind (3), skirt (3), skirts (1), sorts ...
/hebrew/3671.htm - 6k

7757. shul -- skirt (of a robe)
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition skirt (of a robe) NASB Word Usage hem
(4), hem of the robe (2), skirts (4), train of his robe (1). hem, skirt, train. ...
/hebrew/7757.htm - 6k

Petilianus Said: "But He Thus Praises the Ointment of Concord ...
... [2294] What then is meant by the head in that priesthood, what by the beard, what
by the skirts of the garments? ... For in the skirts is perfection. ...
/.../chapter 105 238 petilianus.htm

To what the Soul May be Compared which is a Prey to the Attacks of ...
... according to the prophecy of the holy David, the ointment of the Holy Spirit coming
down from heaven, first on Aaron's beard, then on his skirts, is wont to ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter iii to what the.htm

The Equipment of the Servants
... Every child knows the long Eastern dress; and that the first sign that a man is
in earnest about any work would be that he should gather his skirts around him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the equipment of the servants.htm

God the Holy Spirit the Love which Dwells in the Heart.
... "It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even
Aaron's beard; that went down to the skirts of his garments." "Psalm 133:2 ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xx god the holy spirit.htm

The Sower.
... with the sower's steps as he is turning round; and thus a portion of the seed is
thrown on the unploughed border of the field and the public path that skirts it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/i the sower.htm

Miracles of Healing Solicited by the Sufferers.
... It may indeed have been the very strength of her faith working in her ignorance
that caused her to extend his power even to the skirts of his garments. ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/v miracles of healing solicited.htm

Shoes of Iron, and Strength Sufficient: a New Year's Promise
... vessels of our private study. We need the holy oil everywhere, upon every
garment, even down to our skirts. I know that there are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/shoes of iron and strength.htm

The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Administration
... hands. Our skirts may brush away the portals of the sepulchre, and yet we
shall pass the iron gate unharmed if the Lord be our guard. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the godhood of god/2 the absolute godhood of.htm

Jesus' Conditions of Friendship.
... Professing love for all, they gather their skirts close about them when fallen ones
pass by. But Jesus lived out all of the love of God that he taught. ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter iv jesus conditions of.htm

The Sixt Part.
... The Lord annoynt him more and more with this oyle above all the Princes of the earth,
that from his head, it may runne downe upon our skirts; make him shine in ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/the sixt part.htm

Skirts (23 Occurrences)
...Skirts (23 Occurrences). ... Exodus 28:34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden
bell and a pomegranate, upon the skirts of the robe round about. ...
/s/skirts.htm - 13k

Pomegranates (20 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate,
upon the skirts of the robe round about. (See NIV). ...
/p/pomegranates.htm - 13k

Skirt (16 Occurrences)
... Exodus 39:25 They made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates
around the skirts of the robe, between the pomegranates; (Root in WEB JPS ...
/s/skirt.htm - 13k

Cloak (73 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Exodus 28:34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a
pomegranate, in the skirts of the cloak round about. (DBY). ...
/c/cloak.htm - 30k

Robe (142 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 39:24 They made on the skirts of the
robe pomegranates of blue, purple, scarlet, and twined linen. ...
/r/robe.htm - 37k

Unclothed (14 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 16:8 Now when I went past you, looking at you, I saw that your time was
the time of love; and I put my skirts over you, covering your unclothed body ...
/u/unclothed.htm - 10k

Bells (6 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate,
upon the skirts of the robe round about. (See NIV). ...
/b/bells.htm - 8k

Pomegranate (11 Occurrences)
... It was embroidered in many colors on the skirts of Aaron's garments, together with
golden bells (Exodus 28:33; Exodus 39:24-26 compare Ecclesiasticus 45:9 ...
/p/pomegranate.htm - 15k

Fruits (109 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 28:33 And round the skirts
of it put fruits in blue and purple and red, with bells of gold between; (BBE). ...
/f/fruits.htm - 37k

Discover (28 Occurrences)
... fugitive. (DBY WBS). Jeremiah 13:26 Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon
thy face, that thy shame may appear. (KJV). Lamentations ...
/d/discover.htm - 17k

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