Bible Dictionary
Apparel
Apparel includes the garments and ornaments worn in biblical times, such as tunics, mantles, robes, turbans, and costly festive clothing. Scripture also uses clothing figuratively for honor, mourning, humility, or spiritual character.
Definition
Apparel denotes clothing and raiment of many kinds, including tunics, mantles, robes, turbans, priestly garments, royal dress, mourning clothes, and costly festive clothing.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses apparel both literally and figuratively. It describes ordinary, royal, priestly, mourning, and prophetic clothing, commends modest apparel for Christians, and uses clothing as a figure for a meek and quiet spirit and for the glorious apparel of the Messiah.
Historical Background
Common garments included an under-tunic fastened with a girdle and a loose over-garment or mantle. Costly garments were kept for festivals and gifts, while prophets and ascetics wore coarse clothing. Men and women commonly wore turbans.
Scripture References
Deuteronomy 22:5
1 Samuel 19:24
Job 24:10
Isaiah 20:2
1 Samuel 15:27
1 Samuel 18:4
1 Samuel 24:5
Job 1:20
Isaiah 3:22
1 Kings 19:13
2 Kings 2:13
Ruth 3:15
Psalms 79:12
Proverbs 17:23
Luke 6:38
Judges 8:26
Nahum 2:3
Luke 20:46
Matthew 23:5
Zechariah 3:4
Genesis 45:22
Esther 4:4
Esther 6:8
Esther 6:11
2 Kings 5:5
2 Kings 10:22
Zechariah 13:4
Matthew 3:4
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
In Old Testament times the distinction between male and female attire was not very marked. The statute forbidding men to wear female apparel (Deut. 22:5) referred especially to ornaments and head-dresses. Both men and women wore (1) an under garment or tunic, which was bound by a girdle. One who had only this tunic on was spoken of as “naked” (1 Sam. 19:24; Job 24:10; Isa. 20:2). Those in high stations sometimes wore two tunics, the outer being called the “upper garment” (1 Sam. 15:27; 18:4; 24:5; Job 1:20). (2.) They wore in common an over-garment (“mantle,” Isa. 3:22; 1 Kings 19:13; 2 Kings 2:13), a loose and flowing robe. The folds of this upper garment could be formed into a lap (Ruth 3:15; Ps. 79:12; Prov. 17:23; Luke 6:38). Generals of armies usually wore scarlet robes (Judg. 8:26; Nah. 2:3). A form of conspicuous raiment is mentioned in Luke 20:46; comp. Matt. 23:5. Priests alone wore trousers. Both men and women wore turbans. Kings and nobles usually had a store of costly garments for festive occasions (Isa. 3:22; Zech. 3:4) and for presents (Gen. 45:22; Esther 4:4; 6:8, 11; 1 Sam. 18:4; 2 Kings 5:5; 10:22). Prophets and ascetics wore coarse garments (Isa. 20:2; Zech. 13:4; Matt. 3:4).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-par'-el: The English equivalent of six Hebrew and three Greek words, variously signifying all kinds of raiment, chiefly garments costly and beautiful: ornamental (2Sa 1:24); royal, as of Ahasuerus (Es 6:8), of Herod (Ac 12:21, esthes); of kings' daughters (2Sa 13:18); priestly (Ezr 3:10); also mourning (2Sa 14:2). In 1Sa 17:38,39 "apparel" replaces "armor" of King James Version: "Saul clad David with his apparel," probably some close-fitting garment worn under the armor, or sometimes without it. Severe judgment was pronounced on Jewish princes who clothed themselves with "strange" (the King James Version), i.e. "with foreign apparel" (Ze 1:8; compare Isa 2:6-8). "Modest apparel" as against "costly raiment" is commended as suited to Christians (1Ti 2:9; himatismos, and katastole). Angels are robed in white apparel (Ac 1:10; compare Lu 24:4, "dazzling"). Fig. of the glorious and red (suggestive of the wine-press) apparel of the Messiah (Isa 63:1,2), and of "a meek and quiet spirit" (1Pe 3:4).</p><p>Dwight M. Pratt</p>