Bible Dictionary
Babylonish garment
A Babylonish garment was a valuable, richly colored robe made in Shinar or Babylon. Achan coveted one of these garments after the fall of Jericho.
Definition
A Babylonish garment was a valuable robe of rich colors, made in Shinar or Babylon. It was an ample garment, possibly made from animal skin and ornamented with embroidery, or a variegated robe with woven figures.
Biblical Usage
Achan coveted and took a Babylonish garment after Jericho’s fall, making it part of the goods whose unlawful possession brought judgment upon Israel.
Historical Background
Babylon was celebrated for richly colored and ornamented garments, which explains the robe’s value.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A robe of rich colours fabricated at Babylon, and hence of great value (Josh. 7:21).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
literally “robe of Shinar,” (Joshua 7:21) an ample robe, probably made of the skin or fur of an animal, comp. (Genesis 25:25) and ornamented with embroidery or perhaps a variegated garment with figures inwoven in the fashion for which the Babylonians were celebrated.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>bab-i-lo'-nish gar'ment: In the King James Version, Jos 7:21, for BABYLONISH MANTLE, which see.</p>