CLOTHING Ochithqng), (Hcb. ta_bo.
shed, ). (See DREss.) Man originally went naked (Gen. ii :25). Skins of beasts were the first real clothing (Gen. iii: 21). The art of manufacturing cloths by spinning and weaving is of very great antiquity (Gen. xiv:23; xli,12; Job vii:6). The materials woven and used fur clothing were wool (Prov.
Lev. xiii:47; Job xxxi 20), linen IExod. ix:13; Lev. xvi:4), h•ssus, .1 fabric made of cotton or tlax (Gen. xhi:42; Luke xvi:t9), silk (Ezek. xvioo, 13; Rev. xviii:12), goats' hair (Rev. ano camels' hair (Mat. iii :4).
The Hebrews, and, in fact, the Orientals gen erally, wore only an upper and an under dress. The upper, or cloak; the under, or coal. It was seldom that in addition to these they wore shirts or drawers, though these were worn when on visits of ceremony or friendship. The shirt and drawers were of gauze or cotton, that of the fe males being ornamented. The coat, or under gar ment, was often made of linen, but as often of woolen, and hung down very near the ground, unless when tucked up for walking or for work. The scribes wore theirs longer than ordinary, to mark their uncommon gravity and holiness (Luke xx :46).
The cloak, or upper garment, now generally known under the name of (tyke, was made of wool, and was a long piece of broadcloth thrown over the shoulders and folded round the body; and which, yet more than the coat, required to be girded up when they journeyed or set themselves to work (Luke xii:37). When this upper gar ment was laid aside the person was said to be "naked" (John xxi:7)—a mode of speech which explains the nature of David's dress when he danced before the ark, simply that he laid aside his upper garment that he might dance more freely. The veil was worn by women in the presence of strangers (Gen. xxiv :65; Cant. )::7); but it was not uncommon for them to go with face unveiled (Gen. xxiv :15 ; xxvi:8; Judith x: 7, 14). It appears from various passages (such as 2 Kings i :8; Is. xx :2; Matt. iii :4; Heb. xi: 37) that the prophets usually wore a rough or hairy garment.
Princes, especially great kings and priests, gen erally wore white garments; such were also worn on the occasions of great joy and gladness (Eccl. ix :8). In mourning, men generally wore sack cloth, or haircloth. Prophets, being professed mourners, often wore a mourning dress of coarse stuff or skin (2 Kings i :7, 8; Mau. iii :4). False
prophets, in order to deceive the people, clothed themselves after the same manner (•ech.
Among the Hebrews neither sex was permitted to wear such form of apparel as was used by the other (Deus. xxii :5). Probably people gener ally went bareheaded ; however, turbans were on occasion worn by both sexes ( Job xxix :14, R. V. margin; Is. iii :2o; Ezek. xxiii :15).
Great men's children had often their garments striped with divers colors (Gen. xxxvii :3 ; 2 Sam.
fsaiah largely describes the apparel of the Jewish women in his time. It is plain they were gaudy and fine ; but we arc now qnite uncer tain of their particular form ( Is. iii :16-24). In the East, both bridegroom and bride, on their marriage day, appear in several snits of apparel; and as great men frequently change their gar ments on solemn days, and make presents of them, get new ones on joyful occasions, and sup ply their guests with them on festivals of mar riage, or the like, it is necessary for them to have a great stock of them always in their wardrobe (Gen. xlv :22: Judg. v:30; I Sam. xviii :25; Ps. cii:26; Is. iii:6, 7: Matt. xxii:i2; Rev. xxi :2).
Sandals were worn when outside of a room, be ing an imperfect shoe consisting of a sole of wood or leather (Ezck. xvi:io), fastened to the hare foot by straps passing over the instep and around the ankle (Gen. xiv:23; Is. v. 27; Acts Figurative. (1) To be clothed with worms is to be infected all over with a loathsome dis ease, or to have one's skin crawling with vermin (Job vii :5; x :II). (2) "To be clothed with shame and cursing" is to be exceedingly exposed to reproach, contempt, confusion and ruin (Ps. cix:18, 19; exxxii :18). (3) To be "clothed with salvation and praise" is abundantly to possess deliverance, happiness and comfort (Is. lxi :3, to). (4) To cover one's self with violence, as with a garment, is to practice injustice and oppression, without shame or even with boasting, as if it were honorable (Ps. lxxiii:6). (5) False teachers put on "sheep's clothing," when they pretend to great innocency, holiness and usefulness (Matt. v11:15). (6) The rending or tearing of garments imports great grief or horror (Mark xiv:63; Acts xiv:14).