overlapping of the robe served as a pocket (2 Kings 4:39; Psalm 79:12;
Hag. 2:12; Proverbs 17:23; 21:14).
Female dress. The “coat” was common to both sexes (Cant. 5:3). But
peculiar to females were (1) the “veil” or “wimple,” a kind of shawl (Ruth
3:15; rendered “mantle,” R.V., Isaiah 3:22); (2) the “mantle,” also a species
of shawl (Isaiah 3:22); (3) a “veil,” probably a light summer dress (Genesis
24:65); (4) a “stomacher,” a holiday dress (Isaiah 3:24). The outer garment
terminated in an ample fringe or border, which concealed the feet (Isaiah
47:2; Jeremiah 13:22).
The dress of the Persians is described in Daniel 3:21.
The reference to the art of sewing are few, inasmuch as the garments
generally came forth from the loom ready for being worn, and all that was
required in the making of clothes devolved on the women of a family
(Proverbs 31:22; Acts 9:39).
Extravagance in dress is referred to in Jeremiah 4:30; Ezekiel 16:10;
Zephaniah 1:8 (R.V., “foreign apparel”); 1 Timothy 2:9; 1 Peter 3:3.
Rending the robes was expressive of grief (Genesis 37:29, 34), fear (1
Kings 21:27), indignation (2 Kings 5:7), or despair (Judges 11:35; Esther
4:1).
Shaking the garments, or shaking the dust from off them, was a sign of
renunciation (Acts 18:6); wrapping them round the head, of awe (1 Kings
19:13) or grief (2 Samuel 15:30; casting them off, of excitement (Acts
22:23); laying hold of them, of supplication (1 Samuel 15:27). In the case
of travelling, the outer garments were girded up (1 Kings 18:46). They
were thrown aside also when they would impede action (Mark 10:50; John
13:4; Acts 7:58).
- DRINK The drinks of the Hebrews were water, wine, “strong drink,” and
vinegar. Their drinking vessels were the cup, goblet or “basin,” the “cruse”
or pitcher, and the saucer.
To drink water by measure (Ezekiel 4:11), and to buy water to drink
(Lamentations 5:4), denote great scarcity. To drink blood means to be
satiated with slaughter.
The Jews carefully strained their drinks through a sieve, through fear of
violating the law of Leviticus 11:20, 23, 41, 42. (See Matthew 23:24.
“Strain at” should be “strain out.”)