The size and texture would vary with the means of the wearer. It might be worn in various ways,
either wrapped round the body or thrown over the shoulders like a shawl, with the ends or “skirts”
hanging down in front; or it might be thrown over the head, so as to conceal the face. (2 Samuel
15:30; Esther 6:12) The ends were skirted with a fringe and bound with a dark purple ribbon,
(Numbers 15:38) it was confined at the waist by a girdle. The outer garment was the poor man’s
bed clothing. (Exodus 22:26,27) The dress of the women differed from that of the men in regard
to the outer garment, the inner garment being worn equally by both sexes. (Song of Solomon 5:3)
Among their distinctive robes we find a kind of shawl, (Ruth 3:15; Isaiah 3:22) light summer
dresses of handsome appearance and ample dimensions,a nd gay holiday dresses. (Isaiah 3:24)
The garments of females were terminated by an ample border of fringe (skirts, Authorized Version),
which concealed the feet. (Isaiah 47:2; Jeremiah 13:22) The travelling cloak referred to by St.
Paul, (2 Timothy 4:13) is generally identified with the Roman paenula. It is, however, otherwise
explained as a travelling-case for carrying clothes or books. The coat of many colors worn by
Joseph, (Genesis 37:3,23) is variously taken to be either a “coat of divers colors” or a tunic furnished
with sleeves and reaching down to the ankles. The latter is probably the correct sense.
•Special usages relating to dress.—The length of the dress rendered it inconvenient for active
exercise; hence the outer garments were either left in the house by a person working close by,
(Matthew 24:18) or were thrown off when the occasion arose, (Mark 10:50) or, if this were not
possible, as in the case of a person travelling, they were girded up. (1 Kings 18:46; 1 Peter 1:13)
On entering a house the upper garment was probably laid aside, and resumed on going out. (Acts
12:8) In a sitting posture, the garments concealed the feet; this was held to be an act of reverence.
(Isaiah 6:2) The number of suits possessed by the Hebrews was considerable: a single suit consisted
of an under and upper garment. The presentation of a robe in many instances amounted to
installation or investiture, (Genesis 41:42; Esther 8:15; Isaiah 22:21) on the other hand, taking it
away amounted to dismissal from office. 2 Macc. 4:38. The production of the best robe was a
mark of special honor in a household. (Luke 15:22) The number of robes thus received or kept in
store for presents was very large, and formed one of the main elements of wealth in the East, (Job
22:6; Matthew 6:19; James 5:2) so that to have clothing implied the possession of wealth and
power. (Isaiah 3:6,7) On grand occasions the entertainer offered becoming robes to his guests.
The business of making clothes devolved upon women in a family. (Proverbs 31:22; Acts 9:39)
little art was required in what we may term the tailoring department; the garments came forth for
the most part ready made from the loom, so that the weaver supplanted the tailor.
Drink, Strong
The Hebrew term shecar, in its etymological sense, applies to any beverage that had intoxicating
qualities. With regard to the application of the term in later times we have the explicit statement
of Jerome, as well as other sources of information, from which we may state the that following
beverages were known to the Jews:—
•Beer, which was largely consumed in Egypt under the name of zythus, and was thence introduced
into Palestine. It was made of barley; certain herbs, such as lupine and skirret, were used as
substitutes for hops.
•Cider, which is noticed in the Mishna as apple wine.
•Honey wine, of which there were two sorts, one consisting of a mixture of wine, honey and pepper;
the other a decoction of the juice of the grape, termed debash (honey) by the Hebrews, and dibs
by the modern Syrians.
frankie
(Frankie)
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