Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of a "suit" as understood in modern fashion did not exist. However, the term can be explored through the lens of clothing, attire, and the broader context of garments as depicted in the Scriptures. Clothing in the Bible often carries symbolic meanings, representing status, identity, and spiritual truths.
Garments and Attire in ScriptureThe Bible frequently mentions garments, which were essential for protection and modesty, but also served as indicators of one's social and spiritual status. In
Genesis 3:21, after the fall of man, "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." This act signifies God's provision and care, even after sin entered the world.
In the Old Testament, specific garments were designated for priests, symbolizing their consecration and service to God.
Exodus 28:2 states, "Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and splendor." These garments were not merely functional but were imbued with spiritual significance, setting the priests apart for their sacred duties.
Symbolism of ClothingClothing in the Bible often symbolizes righteousness or the lack thereof.
Isaiah 61:10 declares, "I will rejoice greatly in the LORD; my soul will exult in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness." Here, clothing represents the salvation and righteousness bestowed by God, contrasting with the "filthy rags" of human effort described in
Isaiah 64:6.
In the New Testament, the metaphor of clothing continues. Believers are encouraged to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (
Ephesians 4:24). This imagery of putting on new garments reflects the transformation and renewal that comes through faith in Christ.
Cultural Context and Modern ApplicationWhile the Bible does not mention suits as we know them today, the principles surrounding attire can be applied to modern contexts. Modesty, humility, and appropriateness in dress are themes that resonate throughout Scripture.
1 Peter 3:3-4 advises, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight."
In contemporary Christian practice, the choice of attire, including suits, can reflect one's respect for God and others, especially in worship settings. The emphasis remains on the heart's condition rather than the external appearance, aligning with the biblical principle that "man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (
1 Samuel 16:7).
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not directly address the modern concept of a suit, the principles of clothing and attire found in Scripture provide valuable insights into how believers can approach their dress with a focus on modesty, righteousness, and the inner transformation brought about by faith in Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of following or pursuing, as game; pursuit.
2. (n.) The act of suing; the process by which one endeavors to gain an end or an object; an attempt to attain a certain result; pursuit; endeavor.
3. (n.) The act of wooing in love; the solicitation of a woman in marriage; courtship.
4. (n.) The attempt to gain an end by legal process; an action or process for the recovery of a right or claim; legal application to a court for justice; prosecution of right before any tribunal; as, a civil suit; a criminal suit; a suit in chancery.
5. (n.) That which follows as a retinue; a company of attendants or followers; the assembly of persons who attend upon a prince, magistrate, or other person of distinction; -- often written suite, and pronounced swat.
6. (n.) Things that follow in a series or succession; the individual objects, collectively considered, which constitute a series, as of rooms, buildings, compositions, etc.; -- often written suite, and pronounced swat.
7. (n.) A number of things used together, and generally necessary to be united in order to answer their purpose; a number of things ordinarily classed or used together; a set; as, a suit of curtains; a suit of armor; a suit of clothes.
8. (n.) One of the four sets of cards which constitute a pack; -- each set consisting of thirteen cards bearing a particular emblem, as hearts, spades, cubs, or diamonds.
9. (n.) Regular order; succession.
10. (v. t.) To fit; to adapt; to make proper or suitable; as, to suit the action to the word.
11. (v. t.) To be fitted to; to accord with; to become; to befit.
12. (v. t.) To dress; to clothe.
13. (v. t.) To please; to make content; as, he is well suited with his place; to suit one's taste.
14. (v. i.) To agree; to accord; to be fitted; to correspond; -- usually followed by with or to.
Greek
476. antidikos -- an opponent, adversary... acts as such an adversary, bringing the "(law)
suit" of darkness against believers
for their eternal damnation (cf. 1 Pet 5:8). this is (Jn 19:30)!
...4112. plastos -- formed, molded
... contrived. 4112 ("plastic, fabricated"), used only in 2 Pet 2:3, refers
to " tosuit their vain imaginations" (M. Vincent). That...
1793. entugchano -- to chance upon, by impl. confer with, by ext....
... Definition: I meet, encounter, call upon, make a petition Definition: (a) I meet,
encounter, hence: (b) I call (upon), make a petition, makesuit, supplication...
1349. dike -- right (as self-evident), justice (the principle, a...
... [1349 () is used in classical Greek for a -- a (based on justice). In the , is
used nine times to translate , the Hebrew term for "law-suit."]....
Strong's Hebrew
6187. erek -- an order, row, estimate... Word Origin from arak Definition an order, row, estimate NASB Word Usage arrangement
(1), assessment (1), equal (1), frame (1),
suit (1), valuation (25), value
...7379. rib -- strife, dispute
... 1), contentions (3), controversy (1), dispute (11), disputes (1), indictment (1),
lawsuit (1), plea (1), plead his case (1), quarrel (2), strife (13),suit (2...
4254. machalatsah -- robe of state
... changeablesuit of apparel, change of raiment. From chalats; a mantle (as easily
drawn off) -- changeablesuit of apparel, change of raiment. see HEBREW chalats...
1700. dibrah -- a cause, reason, manner
... cause, end, estate, order, regard. Feminine of dabar; a reason,suit or style --
cause, end, estate, order, regard. see HEBREW dabar. 1699b, 1700....
1779. din -- judgment
... cause, judgment, plea, strife. From diyn; judgement (thesuit, justice, sentence
or tribunal); by impl. Also strife -- cause, judgement, plea, strife....
4941. mishpat -- judgment
... especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual
or collective), including the act, the place, thesuit, the crime, and...
749. arak -- fitting, proper
... be meet. (Aramaic) properly, corresponding to 'arak, but used only in the sense
of reaching to a given point; tosuit -- be meet. see HEBREW 'arak. 748, 749....
3426. yesh -- being, substance, existence, is
... entity; used adverbially or as a copula for the substantive verb (hayah); there
is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as maysuit the connection...
2470. chalah -- to be weak or sick
... grief, be grieved, (be) grievous, infirmity, intreat, lay to, put to pain, X pray,
make prayer, be (fall, make) sick, sore, be sorry, makesuit (X supplication...
Library
Whether in aSuit of this Kind one Should Proceed by Hearing...
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF AFFINITY (ELEVEN ARTICLES) Whether in asuit of this kind one
should proceed by hearing witnesses in the same way as in other suits?...
The GreatSuit: Jehovah Versus Judah
... THE GREATSUIT: JEHOVAH VERSUS JUDAH. 'The vision of Isaiah the son of
Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the...
Come, My Soul, ThySuit Prepare
... III. SACRAMENTS AND RITES Holy Communion: Introits 304. Come, my soul, thysuit
prepare. Four 7's... John Newton, 1779. DOXOLOGY. Come, my soul, thysuit prepare;...
It is Proved that the Psalm, "The Lord Said to My Lord," Etc....
... Chapter LXXXIII."It is proved that the Psalm, "The Lord said to My Lord,"
etc., does notsuit Hezekiah. "For your teachers have...
Of the Divers Orders who Serve the Church, that if any one Fall...
... had a civil cause, refused to be tried by the ecclesiastical tribunal, but wished
to be judged by the secular courts, even if he won hissuit, nevertheless he...
Snares of Satan
... The great deceiver has many agents ready to present any and every kind of error
to ensnare souls"heresies prepared tosuit the varied tastes and capacities...
Snares of Satan.
... The great deceiver has many agents ready to present any and every kind of error
to ensnare souls,"heresies prepared tosuit the varied tastes and capacities...
Lies that Walk
... They pasted these on theirsuit-cases. Now, as you probably... speaking it. So
you see these lies went with thesuit-cases. And wherever...
What Then, Ye Donatists, what have Ye to Say to This? if Our...
... to do this, and did not succeed, the world is not to blame, which trusted the judges
of the Church rather than the beaten parties in thesuit; whilst, if you...
In what Way we must Inquire Concerning the Trinity.
... to the Father, or does belong to the Son, or to the Holy Spirit, or to the Trinity
itself; and if anything of the Son which does not properlysuit with the Son...
Thesaurus
Suit (15 Occurrences)... process for the recovery of a right or claim; legal application to a court for justice;
prosecution of right before any tribunal; as, a civil
suit; a criminal
...Tally (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) One thing made tosuit another; a match; a mate.... 6. (n.) To score with
correspondent notches; hence, to make to correspond; to cause to fit orsuit....
Sequence (1 Occurrence)
... 7. (n.) Three or more cards of the samesuit in immediately consecutive order of
value; as, ace, king, and queen; or knave, ten, nine, and eight....
Set (6715 Occurrences)
... learned. 25. (vt) Tosuit; to become; as, it sets him ill. 26.... out. 37.
(vi) To fit orsuit one; to sit; as, the coat sets well. 38....
Implead (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To institute and prosecute asuit against, in
court; to sue or prosecute at law; hence, to accuse; to impeach....
Tree (245 Occurrences)
... It is difficult to see how all the three references can apply to this tree; it will
suit the first two, but this small shrub would never supply wood for...
Trump (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A winning card; one of a particularsuit (usually determined by chance for
each deal) any card of which takes any card of the other suits....
Revoke (10 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) To fail to followsuit when holding a card of thesuit led, in violation
of the rule of the game; to renege. 7. (n.) The act of revoking....
Renounce (12 Occurrences)
... forswear. 3. (vt) To disclaim having a card of (thesuit led) by playing
a card of anothersuit. 4. (vi) To make renunciation. 5...
Respond (21 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To show some effect in return to a force; to act in response; to accord;
to correspond; tosuit.... 5. (vt) Tosuit or accord with; to correspond to....
Resources
What is the National Day of Prayer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is doctrine? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does 2 Timothy 4:3 mean by itching ears? | GotQuestions.orgSuit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
