In biblical times, clothing held significant cultural and symbolic meaning, often reflecting one's social status, occupation, or religious role. While the term "vest" as understood in contemporary fashion does not appear explicitly in the Bible, garments that served similar purposes are mentioned throughout the Scriptures. These garments were often layered and served both functional and symbolic roles.

Biblical Garments Similar to Vests

1. Ephod: One of the most notable garments resembling a vest is the ephod, worn by the high priest in ancient Israel. The ephod was an intricately designed garment, often described as a kind of apron or vest, made of fine linen and embroidered with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet threads. It was worn over the priest's robe and was integral to the priestly attire. Exodus 28:6-8 describes the ephod: "They are to make the ephod of finely spun linen, embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. It shall have two shoulder pieces attached at two of its corners, so it can be fastened. And the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod must be of one piece, with the same workmanship and materials: with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen."

2. Breastpiece: Attached to the ephod was the breastpiece, which also functioned similarly to a vest in that it was worn over the chest. It held the Urim and Thummim, used for divination and decision-making. The breastpiece was a square, double-folded fabric adorned with twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:15-21).

3. Coat of Many Colors: Another garment that might be likened to a vest in its decorative nature is the "coat of many colors" given to Joseph by his father Jacob (Genesis 37:3). This coat symbolized Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph and played a significant role in the narrative of Joseph's life.

Symbolism and Function

Garments like the ephod and breastpiece were not merely functional; they carried deep symbolic significance. The ephod, for instance, represented the priest's role as a mediator between God and the people. The intricate design and precious materials used in these garments underscored the sacred duties of the priesthood and the holiness required in approaching God.

In a broader sense, clothing in the Bible often symbolizes spiritual truths. For example, in the New Testament, believers are encouraged to "put on" virtues like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, akin to donning a garment (Colossians 3:12).

Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, clothing was a marker of identity and status. The garments worn by individuals often indicated their role within society, their wealth, and their religious duties. The detailed descriptions of priestly garments in the Old Testament highlight the importance of attire in religious rituals and the reverence due to God.

While the specific term "vest" is not used in the biblical text, the concept of a garment worn over the torso, often richly adorned and symbolically significant, is well-attested. These garments served as a visual representation of one's role and responsibilities, particularly in religious contexts.

That Presbyters Should not Sell the Goods of the Church in which ...
... presbyters should not sell the goods of the Church in which they are constituted;
and that no bishop can rightly use anything the title to which vests in the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xxxiii greek xxxvi that.htm

Brother Hugh
... shirts. Welcome horse-hair vests, sacking sheets, and the "bitter bite
of the flea,""sad entertainment for gentlemen! Instead ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter ii brother hugh.htm

Blessed be He that Blots Out in Water Misdeeds that are Without ...
... 3. Ye too in the water, receive from him the vesture,"that wastes not or is lost
for it is the vesture that vests"them that are vested in it forever. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn iv blessed be he.htm

Our Tented Neighbour.
... Even so all that belongs to the family, of wealth, fame, inheritance, distinction,
vests distinctly in the head of the family, the father. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/our tented neighbour.htm

2 Timothy iii. 7-Jan
... (For such men fancy to themselves absurdities, and impossibilities.) But if their
gold and silver, their vests of silk and cloth of gold, came into thy hands ...
/.../homily vii 2 timothy iii.htm

Excursus on the Worship of the Early Church.
... The bishop washes his hands and vests himself in festal habit; the priests range
themselves around him, and all together they approach the altar. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the worship of.htm

On the Holy Eucharist
... he prepares everything necessary in the sacristy"the place or room near the altar
where the sacred vessels and vestments are kept, and where the priest vests ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 22 on the holy.htm

Events During the War
... flannel and blankets. Mother made all the clothing for the family"underwear,
pants, vests, coats, and even overcoats. I well remember ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter iv events during the.htm

Letter cxvii. To a Mother and Daughter Living in Gaul.
... will find yourself clothed in sober garb among slave youths, women married or soon
to be so, wanton girls, and dandies with long hair and tight-fitting vests. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxvii to a mother.htm

1 Cor. xii. 27
... For as where there are vests and sandals of gold, we require also some other garments
whereby to distinguish the king: but if we see the purple and the diadem ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxii 1 cor xii.htm

Vests (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Vests (6 Occurrences). ... (DBY). Exodus 29:8 And thou shalt
bring his sons near, and clothe them with the vests. (DBY). ...
/v/vests.htm - 7k

Caps (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:40 And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make vests; and thou shalt make for
them girdles; and high caps shalt thou make for them, for glory and for ...
/c/caps.htm - 7k

Vesture (10 Occurrences)

/v/vesture.htm - 9k

Vest (11 Occurrences)
... to be fixed; to take effect, as a title or right; -- followed by in; as, upon the
death of the ancestor, the estate, or the right to the estate, vests in the ...
/v/vest.htm - 11k

Vestry (1 Occurrence)

/v/vestry.htm - 7k

Ornament (23 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Exodus 28:40 And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make vests; and thou shalt make
for them girdles; and high caps shalt thou make for them, for glory and for ...
/o/ornament.htm - 17k

Clothe (52 Occurrences)
... me as priests. (DBY YLT NIV). Exodus 29:8 And thou shalt bring his sons
near, and clothe them with the vests. (DBY YLT). Exodus 40 ...
/c/clothe.htm - 22k

Byssus (40 Occurrences)
... twined byssus. (DBY). Exodus 39:27 And they made the vests of byssus of woven
work, for Aaron, and for his sons; (DBY). Exodus 39:28 ...
/b/byssus.htm - 19k

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