Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, clothing held significant cultural and religious importance, often symbolizing one's status, role, and spiritual condition. The concept of undress, or the state of being without clothing, is addressed in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, each carrying its own implications and lessons.
Nakedness and ShameThe Bible frequently associates nakedness with shame and vulnerability. In
Genesis 3:7, after Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge, "the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves" . This passage highlights the immediate awareness of their exposed state and the subsequent feeling of shame, prompting them to cover themselves. Nakedness here symbolizes the loss of innocence and the entrance of sin into the human experience.
Nakedness as a Symbol of JudgmentThroughout the Old Testament, nakedness is often used metaphorically to describe judgment and humiliation. In
Isaiah 20:2-4, the prophet Isaiah is instructed by God to walk "stripped and barefoot" as a sign against Egypt and Cush, symbolizing their impending defeat and captivity: "So the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt" . This act of undress serves as a prophetic demonstration of disgrace and subjugation.
Nakedness and PovertyThe Bible also addresses nakedness in the context of poverty and need. In
Job 24:7, the plight of the poor is described: "They spend the night naked, without clothing, and have no covering against the cold" . Here, undress is a stark representation of destitution and the lack of basic necessities. The call to clothe the naked is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the responsibility of God's people to care for the needy (
Isaiah 58:7,
Matthew 25:36).
Nakedness and Spiritual ConditionIn the New Testament, nakedness can also reflect one's spiritual state. In
Revelation 3:17-18, the church of Laodicea is admonished for its spiritual complacency: "You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see" . Here, undress signifies spiritual poverty and the need for repentance and renewal.
Modesty and DecencyThe Bible encourages modesty and decency in dress, reflecting an inner godliness and respect for oneself and others. In
1 Timothy 2:9-10, Paul instructs women to "adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God" . While this passage specifically addresses women, the principle of modesty applies to all believers, underscoring the importance of reflecting one's faith through outward appearance.
ConclusionThe biblical treatment of undress encompasses themes of shame, judgment, poverty, spiritual condition, and modesty. Each context provides insight into the cultural and spiritual significance of clothing and the human condition before God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To divest of clothes; to strip.
2. (v. t.) To divest of ornaments to disrobe.
3. (v. t.) To take the dressing, or covering, from; as, to undress a wound.
4. (n.) A loose, negligent dress; ordinary dress, as distinguished from full dress.
5. (n.) An authorized habitual dress of officers and soldiers, but not full-dress uniform.
Strong's Hebrew
6209. arar -- to strip oneself... razed. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to strip oneself NASB Word Usage
completely razed (1), stripped (1),
undress (1). make
...Library
St. Chrysostom as a Homilist.
... But in fact the preacher thus appears inundress, and his methods may be in
some respects the subject of a more profitable inspection....
Stubborn Little Sammy.
... If you don't go and ask your mothers forgiveness I shall have toundress you and
put you to bed." He was a bright, nervous little fellow, never still a moment...
The Deeds of Some Holy Persons who Devoted Themselves to a...
... to say that it became not a monk to see even his own person exposed.' And when once
he wanted to pass a river, but was unwilling toundress, he besought God to...
A Thought of Death and Glory.
... 5 [How we should scorn these clothes of flesh, These fetters and this load!
And long for evening toundress, That we may rest with God.]....
A Thought of Death and Glory.
... [How we should scorn these clothes of flesh,. These fetters, and this load!
And long for ev'ning toundress,. That we may rest with God.]....
Monotony and Crises
... I remember hearing of a man that got so disgusted with having to dress andundress
himself every day that he committed suicide to escape from the necessity....
The Boy Hugh
... That modest, kind-hearted gentleman was getting infirm, and the young fellow was
delighted to be told off to lead him, carry him, dress andundress him, tie...
Ephesians iv. 17-19
... good or evil. Now as toundress one's self and to dress one's self is
easy, so may we see it is with virtue and vice. The young...
"Good-For-Nothing"
... sleeping here, was born. Then his father fell sick; for three-quarters of
a year I had to dress andundress him every day. We went on...
Beloved, and yet Afflicted
... Beloved, all things are yours, and death is expressly mentioned in the list, therefore
do not dread it, but rather "long for evening toundress, that you may...
Thesaurus
Undress (1 Occurrence)... 2. (vt) To divest of ornaments to disrobe. 3. (vt) To take the dressing, or
covering, from; as, to
undress a wound.
...Undress (1 Occurrence).
...Unready (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Not ready or prepared; not prompt; slow; awkward; clumsy. 2. (a.) Not dressed;
undressed. 3. (vt) Toundress. Multi-Version Concordance...
Undressed (4 Occurrences)
Undoubtedly (1 Occurrence)
Strip (33 Occurrences)
... 13. (vi) To take off, or become divested of, clothes or covering; toundress. 14.
(vi) To fail in the thread; to lose the thread, as a bolt, screw, or nut....
Resources
What is the Secret Gospel of Mark? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about voyeurism? | GotQuestions.orgUndress: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
