According to the Laws of Moses, the children of Israel were
to wear decorative hems forever, so that they would remember to follow our
Father in Heaven’s commandments. I do
know that some say it was to be tassels and not a decorative hem trimmed with
blue. Therefore I did this study to identify
what type of garments were worn and how were they trimmed. Plus I reviewed lots of old artwork to see
what the artists thought the children of Israel wore. Then I look at the ancient traditions of the
Franks, Celts, German, Greeks and Anglo-Saxons to see what they wore and how
they trimmed their garments. I really do not like to look at the ‘traditions of
man’ but in this case it became important.
Especially since the bible translators state blue trim was necessary;
however after looking at many pictures I found many different colors being
used. I did find good reason for the bible
translators to say it was blue though.
This is not a complete study of bible clothes since my main
goal was to find out what my garments should looked like and how should they be
trimmed.
The pictures, of the children of Israel above, come from the
site below which shows many pictures of our fashion history.
See Fashion History http://world4.eu/anglo-saxon/
and http://world4.eu/roman-imperial-clothing/
Adam & Eve’s Clothing
After the fall of Adam and Eve our Father in Heaven made
them tunics of hide to wear.
“And
the Lord God made for Adam and his wife garments [G5509 χιτών (chitōn); a tunic, an undergarment, usually worn next to
the skin, a garment, a vestment] of skin [G1193 δερμάτινος (dermatinos); made of hide], and clothed them.” Sep Gen 3:22
“And the Lord God made for Adam and his wife, garments [tunicas] of skins,
and clothed them.” DR Gen 3:21 (translated from the Latin Vulgate below
& skins must have been inserted based on the Greek)
“fecit
[make, contruct] quoque [each] Dominus Deus Adam
et uxori [wife] eius [is, him, her] tunicas [tunic, an undergarment worn by both men and
women] pellicias [I allure, entice] et
induit [to put on] eos [is]” LV Gen 3:21
“Unto
Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats [H3801
kethoneth or kuttoneth; a tunic, a shirt -- coat, garment, robe] of skins [H5785
or: hide, leather, skin], and
clothed them.” KJV Gen 3:21
Reflected below is 1700s art showing what Adam and Eve’s clothes may have looked like.
Levi’s Garments
Our Father in Heaven provided specific instructions for clothing
the Levitical Priests. He instructed
that they were to also wear tunics; notice that the same words were used in the
original languages for the tunics as for Adam and Eve. So they were to use the same style made out
of linen and it was to be floor length.
Plus the Levites were to wear an overcoat like a cloak or himation. Then they were to add trim and
embellishments.
“And
having taken the garments [G4749
στολή (stolē); equipment, a “stole” or long fitting gown (as a mark of dignity)],
thou shalt put on Aaron thy brother both the full-length robe [G5509
χιτών (chitōn); a tunic, an undergarment, usually worn next to the skin, a
garment, a vestment] [G4158
ποδήρης (podērēs); a dress (G2066 implied) reaching the ankles] and the ephod and the oracle; and thou shalt
join for him the oracle to the ephod.” Sep Exo 29:5
“Thou shalt clothe Aaron with his vestments [vestimentis], that is, with the linen [linea]
garment and the tunick [tunica], and the ephod
[superumerali] and the rational, which thou shalt gird with the girdle.” DR
Exo29:5
“indues
Aaron vestimentis [clothes,
garment, robe] suis id est linea [linen thread from flax]
et tunica [tunic, an
undergarment worn by both men and women] et superumerali [ephod; A priestly
apron, or breastplate,] et rationali quod constringes [bind] balteo [belt, girdle]” LV
Exo 29:5
“And
thou shalt take the garments [H899b beged: a garment, covering],
and put upon Aaron the coat [H3801 kethoneth or kuttoneth; a
tunic, a shirt -- coat, garment, robe], and the robe [H4598 meil; cloak, coat, mantle,
robe] of the ephod [H646
ephod; a girdle; specifically the ephod or high-priest's shoulder- piece],
and the ephod, and the breastplate [H2833 choshen: breastpiece, sacred
pouch], and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod:” KJV Exo
29:5
The floor length tunic was constructed with a decorative hem
that included golden bells and pomegranates. The color of the decorative hem
was to be of hyacinth, purple, and scarlet (more about these colors below). The
purpose of the bells sounding as Aaron goes in and out of the sanctuary is very
interesting; since later bells were placed as at churches and were rang to
sound that church would be beginning and people would be entering the church.
Pomegranate flowers are mentioned in the Greek Septuagint;
however not in the Latin Vulgate or the Masoretic text. Therefore, what the
trim actually looked like would differ based on the text you are reading. Also
it is very clear in the Greek Septuagint that both the bells and pomegranates
are to be golden. The flowers were to be blue, purple and scarlet.
“And
under the fringe [λῶμᾰ (lôma); hem, fringe, border of a robe; G3090.1 hem] of the robe [G5267.1 undergarment] below
thou shalt make as it were pomegranates of a flowering pomegranate tree, of blue [G5192 ὑάκινθος (huakinthos); the hyacinth or jacinth, some gem of a
deep blue color], and purple
[G4209 πορφύρα (porphura); the “purple” mussel, that is the red blue
color itself], and spun scarlet
[G2847 κόκκινος (kokkinos); crimson, scarlet, dyed with Kermes (coccum),
the female coccus of the Kermes oak],
and fine
linen [G1040 βύσσος (bussos); white linen, a fine species of flax] spun, under the fringe of the robe round
about: golden
[G5552 χρύσεος (chruseos); made of gold] pomegranates
of the same shape, and bells [G2965.1 κώδωνας bells; κώδων (kódon) bell] round about between these. A bell by the
side of a golden pomegranate, and flower-work on the fringe of the robe round
about. And the sound of Aaron shall be
audible when he ministers, as he goes into the sanctuary before the Lord, and
has he goes out, that he die not.” Sep Exo 28:29-31
“And
beneath at the feet
of the same tunick [tunicae ] round
about, thou shalt make as it were pomegranates, of violet [hyacintho], and purple [purpura],
and scarlet [cocco
] twice dyed, with little bells [tintinabulis ] set between: So that
there shall be a golden bell and a pomegranate, and again another golden bell
and a pomegranate. And Aaron shall be vested with it in the office of his
ministry, that the sound may be heard, when he goeth in and cometh out of the
sanctuary, in the sight of the Lord, and that he may not die.” DR Exo
28:33-35
“deorsum
vero ad pedes eiusdem tunicae per circuitum quasi mala punica facies ex hyacintho [iris (plant), sapphire]
et purpura [a species of shellfish or mussel, purple] et cocco
[he insect, Coccus ilicis, used for producing scarlet dye, a scarlet
berry] bis tincto [coloured] mixtis [mixed] in medio [half] tintinabulis
[a bell]” LV Exo 28:33
“And
beneath upon the hem [H7757 shul: skirt (of a robe), hem, skirt,
train] of it thou shalt make
pomegranates of blue [H8504
tekeleth: the cerulean mussel, i.e. The color (violet) obtained therefrom or
stuff dyed therewith -- blue.],
and of purple [H713 argaman: purple, red-purple], and of scarlet [H8144
shani: scarlet], round about the hem
[H7757 shul: skirt (of a robe), hem, skirt, train] thereof; and bells [H6472
paamon: bell] of gold between them round about: A golden bell and a
pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round
about. And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard
when he goeth in unto the holy place before the Lord, and when he cometh out,
that he die not.” KJV Exo 28:33-35
The first century historian Josephus provides this
information regarding the Levitical Priests garment colors:
“The
vails, too, which were composed of four things, they declared the four
elements; for the fine linen was proper to signify the earth, because
the flax grows out of the earth; the purple signified the sea, because that color
is dyed by the blood of a sea shell fish; the blue is fit to signify the air;
and the scarlet
will naturally be an indication of fire. Now the vestment of the
high priest being made of linen, signified the earth; the blue denoted
the sky, being like lightning in its pomegranates, and in the noise
of the bells resembling thunder. And for the ephod, it showed that God had made
the universe of four [ELEMENTS]; and as for the gold interwoven, I suppose it
related to the splendor by which all things are enlightened.” Josephus
Antiquities 3.7.6 (183-4)
Our Christian churches carried forward the bell tradition.
Picture
sources & information:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arms_of_Granada-_Coat_of_Arms_of_Spain_Template.svg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_lazarus_larnaca_bell.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomegranate
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-reason-behind-the-national-flower-of-Spain
The Children of Israel have Decorative Hems
According to both the Book of Numbers and Deuteronomy, the
children of Israel were to put decorative hem on the edge of their cloak, robe
or outer garment. This decorative hem was to be blue and it was to remind us to
keep the commandments of our Father in Heaven.
Our outer garment is to have this decorative hem and it Strong’s
G2440 ‘himation’ in the Greek Septuagint and this same word for used for Jesus’
robe or cloak that the women touched to be healed (see section below). The
woman actually touched Jesus’ hem or Strong’s G2899 ‘kraspedon’ in Greek;
therefore she touched the hem of his cloak or robe and these same Greek words
are used in the verses below in Numbers.
“Speak
to the children of Israel, and thou shalt tell them; and let them make for
themselves fringes
[G2899 κράσπεδον [kraspedon]; the fringe, edge] upon the borders [G4419 πτερύγιον (pterugion); a winglet, i.e. (figuratively) extremity
(top corner)] of their garments [G2440 ἱμάτιον (himation); ἕννυμι hennumi (to put on); an outer
garment, a cloak] throughout
their generations: and ye shall put upon the fringes [G2899 κράσπεδον [kraspedon]; the fringe, edge] of the borders a lace of blue [G5191 ὑακίνθινος (huakinthinos); “hyacinthine” or “jacinthine”, that
is deep blue]. And it shall be on
your fringes, and ye shall look on them, and ye shall remember all the commands
of the Lord, and do them: and ye shall not turn back after your imaginations,
and after the sight of your eyes in the things after which ye go a whoring; that
ye may remember
and perform all my commands, and ye shall be holy unto your God.” Sep Num 15:38-40
“Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt tell them I to make to
themselves fringes
[fimbrias] in the corners [angulos] of their garments [palliorum], putting in
them ribands [vittas] of blue [hyacinthinas]:” DR Num 15:38
“loquere
filiis [children] Israhel et dices ad eos ut faciant sibi fimbrias [fringe, border, edge] per
angulos
[corner, angle] palliorum
[cloak, coverlet] ponentes
[put] in eis vittas
[band, ribbon] hyacinthinas [iris, sapphire]” LV
Num 15:38
“Speak
unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes
[H6734 tsitsith: a tassel, lock, fringe] in the borders [H3671
kanaph: wing, extremity] of their
garments{[H899b
beged: a garment, covering] throughout their generations, and that
they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband [H6616
pathil: cord, thread] of blue [H8504
tekeleth: cerulean mussel, i.e. The color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff
dyed therewith -- blue]” KJV
Num 15:38
Deuteronomy has the same law but does not mention the color
the trim was to be in. Here it is implied that the trim is twisted or maybe
braided then put on the hem of an overcoat, cloak, or robe.
“Thou
shalt make fringes
[G4761 twisted; στρεπτά
(streptós); Easily twisted, pliant] on the four borders [G2899 κράσπεδον [kraspedon]; the fringe, edge]] of thy garments [G4018 περιβόλαιον (peribolaion); something thrown around one, a mantle,
veil, cloak, covering], with
which soever thou mayest be clothed.” Sep Deu 22:12
“Thou
shalt make strings [funiculus] in the hem [fimbriis]
at the four corners [angulos] of thy cloak [pallii], wherewith thou
shalt be covered.” DR Deu 22:12
“Funiculus [slender rope, cord] in fimbriis [fringe, border, edge]
facies [shape, figure] per quattuor angulos [corner, angle] pallii [cloak, coverlet] tui quo
operieris [cover]” LV Deu 22:12
“Thou
shalt make thee fringes
[H1434 gedil: twisted threads, fringe, wreath] upon the four quarters of thy vesture
[H3682
kesuth: a covering, covering, raiment, vesture], wherewith thou coverest thyself.” KJV Deu 22:12
Based on my reading of the above scriptures the Israelites
were to wear a decorative hem with twisted ribbon, lace or fringe on their
outer garment. The color was to be hyacinthine which the translators say is the
color blue. So I looked for oil painting to see what artists thought the Patriarchs
and Israelites of the bible wore. I
found many oil paintings without trim on their clothes and many with trim. I did not find any proof they wore tassels
unless it was several of them on their hem and looked more like fringe; there
is no artwork showing the Israelites wearing four tassels on their garment.
Picture sources:
King David https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monheim_Town_Hall_1.JPG
Ark of the Covenant https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%C3%9Cberf%C3%BChrung_der_Bundeslade_(Umbrien_16_Jh).jpg
Garment Decorative Hem Colors
The table below indicates the colors mentioned in the verses
above and the information found regarding these colors. I
indicate my interpretation of the color in the last column. All bible translators appear to believe that
hyacinth is deep blue; however determining what they actually used to make that
color is not easy. Our Father in Heaven
did not actually indicate the colors to be used; HE told them the source they
were to use as dye.
According to the Greek and Latin hyacinth was to be used for
the Israelite’s decorative hems and there is a flower today called Hyacinth;
however this flower
was not named hyacinth until 1753. The Greek Strong’s states that the
jacinth stone may have been used; however the bible translators must not have
believed that since the stone color is amber and not blue. The Latin definition
indicates an iris flower or a sapphire stone which both of these could be of
any color. Josephus tells us that the deep blue was to signify the sky and we
do use Azure in our heraldry that is sky colored. The lapis lazuli stone was available to the
ancient and many artifacts have been found that were made of the lapis lazuli
stone. Mary, mother Jesus, is traditionally
shown wearing an azure blue robe or cloak using lapis lazuli stone to make the
dye.
Sources:
Azure the color of the sky on a clear day, dye from lapis
lazuli stone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azure_(color)
“The flower hyacinth
that rose from Hyacinth's blood is said to have had a deep blue hue and an
inscription resembling "AI" on its petals, a symbol of sorrow.
However, this flower has been identified with another plant, the larkspur, or
an iris, rather than what we today call hyacinth.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyacinth_(mythology)#Attributes
Blue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapis_lazuli
Lapis ring https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapis_lazuli#/media/File:Scarab_Finger_Ring_MET_26.7.755_top.jpg
Azure in Heraldry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azure_(heraldry)
Mary wearing a Blue Azure cloak from lapis lazuli stone https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Angelico,_madonna_col_bambino,_pinacoteca_sabauda.jpg
Mary has blue robe in art https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary,_mother_of_Jesus#Depiction_in_Renaissance_art
“Tyrian
purple (Ancient Greek: πορφύρα porphúra; Latin: purpura),
also known as Phoenician red, Phoenician purple, royal purple,
imperial purple, or imperial dye, is a reddish-purple natural dye. The
Phoenicians also made a deep blue-colored dye, sometimes referred to
as royal blue or hyacinth purple, which was made from a closely
related species of marine snail.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrian_purple
Purple https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrian_purple#/media/File:Empress_Theodora.jpg
Sea Mussel https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/murex#Latin
Crimson/Scarlet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kermes_(dye)#/media/File:Weltliche_Schatzkammer_Wienc.jpg
“Kermes is a genus of scale insects in the
order Hemiptera. They feed on the sap of evergreen oaks; the females
produce a red dye, also called "kermes", that is the source of
natural crimson.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kermes_(insect)
Blue the Symbol of Purity
As Josephus stated the blue signified the sky; therefore it
signified the heavens. It is tradition
that blue signified purity and to be pure we must follow the commandments of
our Father in Heaven.
Part 1 starts in Column 7 https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/data/batches/dlc_goodman_ver02/data/sn83045462/00280659071/1926062701/0326.pdf
Part 2 starts in Column 4 https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/data/batches/dlc_goodman_ver02/data/sn83045462/00280659071/1926062701/0327.pdf
Column 1 https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1949-05-25/ed-1/seq-34.pdf
Jesus’ Hem
Below is the verse that indicates the woman was healed from
touching the hem of Jesus’ outer garment (cloak, himation or robe). This verse does not indicate whether the hem
of Jesus’s robe was trimmed or not. It
does indicate that the outer garment had healing powers though; it is possible
that it was made from linen or wool which has healing powers. Plus it is also possible that Jesus just
granted her this miracle because she believed.
“And
behold a woman who was troubled with an issue of blood twelve years, came
behind him, and touched the hem [fimbriam] of his garment [vestimenti] For she
said within herself: If I shall touch only his garment [vestimentum], I shall
be healed.” DR Mat 9:20-21
“et
ecce mulier quae sanguinis fluxum patiebatur duodecim annis accessit retro et
tetigit fimbriam [fringe, border, edge] vestimenti [clothes, garment, robe]
eius dicebat enim intra se si tetigero tantum vestimentum [clothes, garment, robe] eius
salva ero” LV 9:20-21
“And,
behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came
behind him, and touched the hem [G2899
κρασπέδου (kraspedon); the fringe, edge, corner, tassel, the embroidered border
of a garment] of his garment
[G2440 ἱματίου (himation); a cloak; the outer garment, robe]: For she said within herself, If I may but
touch his garment [G2440 himation], I shall be whole.” KJV Mat 9:20-21
Most all oil paintings show Jesus wearing a blue himation
and his inner garment or tunic is scarlet.
Two of the pictures below show Jesus wearing a scarlet himation. I was able to find a few old pictures of Jesus
wearing a decorative trim and they are shown below. I did not see one old picture of Jesus
wearing tassels.
Picture source:
c. 900 Jesus wearing Celtic cross (earth symbol) on this
head (king of the earth) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Matthew8CodexEgbertiFol22rDetail.jpg
c. 1300 Jesus https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Florentinischer_Meister_um_1300_001.jpg
c. 1600 Christ giving blessing https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Circle_of_Joos_van_Cleve_Christ_Giving_the_Blessing.jpg
Garment Material
The law states that we can wear wool and line; however they
must never be mixed together to produce a garment.
“Thou
shalt not wear a mingled garment, woolen [G2053 ἔριον (erion); wool]
and linen
[G3043 λίνον (linon); linen
clothing made from flax] together.” Sep Deu 22:11
“Thou shalt not wear a garment that is woven of woollen and linen
together.” DR Deu 22:11
“non
indueris vestimento quod ex lana [wool] linoque [and linen]
contextum [weaving]
est” LV Deu 22:11
“Thou
shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen [H6785 tsemer: wool] and linen [G6593 pesheth: flax, linen]
together.” KJV Deu 22:11
It is actually a health risk to wear a garment of linen and
wool mixed together as shown in the picture below. Both linen and wool worn separately will
maintain your health and heal your body.
From http://www.new2torah.com/2011/11/the-power-of-linen/
These sites provide more information about the materials we
wear today:
https://fashionbi.com/newspaper/the-health-risks-of-toxic-fibers-and-fabrics
Woman are to be Modest
The verse below in Timothy tells us women that we should
always be modest; wearing descent apparel that does not show off our
bodies. Today many women wear tight
pants that show off every curve and ripple of their body and this would be
considered not decent appeal. Plus
showing off our cleavage would not be decent apparel. We should have a sense of shame if our
private body parts are exposed or accented in any way.
“In
like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest [G127 aidós); a sense of shame,
bashfulness, i.e. (towards men), modesty or (towards God) awe -- reverence,
shamefacedness] apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not
with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh
women professing godliness) with good works.” KJV 1 Tim 2:9-10
“In
like manner women also in decent apparel: adorning themselves with
modesty and sobriety, not with plaited hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly
attire” DR 1 Tim 2:9
“similiter
et mulieres in habitu ornato cum verecundia [feeling shame,
shamefaced, bashful, shy, modest] et sobrietate ornantes se non in tortis
crinibus aut auro aut margaritis vel veste pretiosa” LV 1 Tim 2:9
Himation
A himation
is a rectangular cloak of linen or wool, worn
in Ancient Greece, usually over a chiton (tunic). The Greek Septuagint used the words Himation
and Chiton in the original writings (verses above).
Picture Sources:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Triptolemus_Yale_Louvre_G368.jpg
Cloak
In ancient times a cloak was worn by both men and women. It is the shape of a bell when worn. The word cloak and the word clock are both of
Proto-Celtic origin from the word ‘klokkos’ meaning bell. Reflected below is the Etymology of both
words:
Cloak “From Middle
English cloke, from Old Northern French cloque (“travelling
cloak”), from Medieval Latin clocca (“travelers' cape, literally
“a bell”, so called from the garment’s bell-like shape”), of Celtic origin,
from Proto-Celtic *klokkos-, ultimately imitative.” From https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cloak#English
Clock “c. 1350–1400, Middle
English clokke, clok, cloke, from Middle Dutch clocke (“bell,
clock”), from Old Northern French cloque (“bell”), from Medieval
Latin clocca,
probably of Celtic origin, from Proto-Celtic *klokkos (“bell”) (compare Welsh cloch, Old Irish cloc),
either onomatopoeic or from Proto-Indo-European *klek- (“to
laugh, cackle”)” From https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/clock#English
The pictures below reflect the royal line wearing cloaks of
various shades of the azure color of blue.
Picture
sources:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_of_Charles_IX.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mollien.jpg
The link below explains how to make a cloak and shows old
pictures of cloaks:
http://www.cardinal-creations.com/projects/laurel-cloak
Keep watch with your Himation on
Blessed are those who are ready for Jesus’ return and keeps
there himation or cloak on.
“Behold,
I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments
[G2440 ἱμάτια (himation); an outer garment, a cloak,
robe] on, that he may not go about naked [G1131 γυμνὸς (gumnos); naked, poorly
clothed] and be seen exposed [G808 (aschémosuné); unseemly
behavior, unseemliness, indecency, shame, nakedness, an indecent (lewd) act]!”
ESV Rev 16:15
“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his
garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” DR Rev 16:15
“ecce
venio sicut fur beatus qui vigilat et custodit vestimenta [clothes, garment, robe]
sua ne nudus [unclothed, nude, naked]
ambulet et videant turpitudinem [indecency shamefulness,
disgrace, dishonor] eius” LV Rev 16:15
Conclusion
Today’s styles at the store do not always have a decorative
hem and in fact it is sometimes hard to find.
It is pretty easy though to find trim with some blue in it to sew on to
your garments though. I have added trim
to several of my dresses so they are trimmed for church and feast days. I would love to have more blouses with
decorative trim. I would also like to
make myself a cloak of wool with trim. I
do believe it would help in remembering to always follow the commandments of
our Father in Heaven. So do trim your
clothes and be modest!
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