Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, clothing held significant cultural and symbolic meaning, often reflecting one's social status, role, or spiritual condition. The term "vest" as understood in contemporary language does not directly appear in the Bible; however, garments akin to vests, such as tunics or robes, are frequently mentioned and hold considerable importance in biblical narratives.
Biblical Garments Similar to Vests1.
Tunics and Robes: The closest biblical equivalent to a vest would be the tunic or robe, which was a common garment in ancient Israel. These garments were typically worn as an inner layer, similar to how a vest might be worn today. In
Genesis 37:3, Joseph is given a "robe of many colors" by his father Jacob, signifying Jacob's special affection for him. This robe, or tunic, becomes a symbol of Joseph's favored status and later plays a crucial role in the narrative of his brothers' jealousy and betrayal.
2.
Priestly Garments: In the context of the priesthood, specific garments were prescribed for those serving in the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
Exodus 28 details the garments of the high priest, including the ephod, a richly embroidered vest-like garment worn over the robe. The ephod was integral to the high priest's attire, symbolizing his role as mediator between God and the people.
Exodus 28:6-8 describes the ephod: "They are to make the ephod of finely spun linen, embroidered with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. It shall have two shoulder pieces attached at two of its corners, so it can be fastened."
3.
Symbolism and Function: Garments in the Bible often carry symbolic meanings. For instance, the act of tearing one's clothes was a sign of mourning or repentance (e.g.,
2 Samuel 1:11). Conversely, being clothed in fine garments could symbolize honor and authority, as seen in the account of Mordecai in
Esther 8:15, where he is dressed in royal robes as a sign of his elevated status.
Cultural and Spiritual SignificanceThe clothing worn by biblical figures often reflected their societal roles and spiritual states. For example, John the Baptist's attire of camel's hair and a leather belt (
Matthew 3:4) signified his prophetic role and ascetic lifestyle, reminiscent of the prophet Elijah. Clothing could also represent spiritual truths, as seen in the New Testament where believers are exhorted to "put on the new self" (
Ephesians 4:24), symbolizing a life transformed by Christ.
ConclusionWhile the specific term "vest" is not found in the Bible, garments similar in function and form are prevalent throughout the Scriptures. These garments, whether worn by priests, prophets, or ordinary individuals, often carry deep symbolic meanings and reflect the cultural and spiritual contexts of the biblical narrative.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An article of clothing covering the person; an outer garment; a vestment; a dress; a vesture; a robe.
2. (n.) Any outer covering; array; garb.
3. (n.) Specifically, a waistcoat, or sleeveless body garment, for men, worn under the coat.
4. (n.) To clothe with, or as with, a vestment, or garment; to dress; to robe; to cover, surround, or encompass closely.
5. (n.) To clothe with authority, power, or the like; to put in possession; to invest; to furnish; to endow; -- followed by with before the thing conferred; as, to vest a court with power to try cases of life and death.
6. (n.) To place or give into the possession or discretion of some person or authority; to commit to another; -- with in before the possessor; as, the power of life and death is vested in the king, or in the courts.
7. (n.) To invest; to put; as, to vest money in goods, land, or houses.
8. (n.) To clothe with possession; as, to vest a person with an estate; also, to give a person an immediate fixed right of present or future enjoyment of; as, an estate is vested in possession.
9. (v. i.) To come or descend; to be fixed; to take effect, as a title or right; -- followed by in; as, upon the death of the ancestor, the estate, or the right to the estate, vests in the heir at law.
Strong's Hebrew
4578. meeh -- internal organs, inward parts, belly... root probably meaning to be soft; used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively)
the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a
vest; by extens.
...Library
Not Seldom, Clad in RadiantVest,
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCLXV Not seldom, clad in radiantvest,.
Deceitfully goes forth the Morn; Not seldom Evening in the west....
Begins Preaching at Beech Grove. Debates with Elder Hiner. Amusing...
... But in my room I discovered a little toy-book, about an inch long, called "Orphan
Willie." This I took to church in myvest pocket, with a few leaves carefully...
The Relative Positions of the Pleroma the Region of Achamoth, and...
... of Sophia; inasmuch as, (if it had not been for these,) our spirit would have had
no space for inhaling and ejecting [6838] air"that delicatevest of all...
Orthodoxy Sunday.
... Goes forth from East to West,. Enfolding, in its beauty,. The earth as with a
vest. They rise, the sleepless watchmen. Upon the Church's wall;...
Ode iv.
... Let me not realms of outer darkness know! Nor from the wedding-feast reject Thou
me,. For my soiledvest of immortality; Bound hand and foot, and cast....
Transfiguration.
... In majesty of terror,. In thunder-cloud and flame: On Tabor, with the glory. Of
sunniest light forvest,. The excellence of beauty. In JESUS was expressed....
The Babe that I Carry Carries Me, Saith Mary, and He Has Lowered...
... for all. She gave the littlevest of the Body to Him that covers all. Blessed
is she in whose heart and mind Thou wast! A King's...
Letter xv. To Pope Damasus.
... 1. Since the East, shattered as it is by the long-standing feuds, subsisting between
its peoples, is bit by bit tearing into shreds the seamlessvest of the...
Love's Triumph in John Wannamaker's Sunday School.
... She said: "Yes; here is the bundle." The boy opened it and found avest and a coat
and other clothing, and a little note written by the young lady, which read...
Then Midas, King of Pessinus, Wishing to Withdraw the Youth from...
... and Oehler, tecta atque involuta--"hisvest being first drawn over and wrapt about
them;" the former verb being found with this meaning in no other passage...
Thesaurus
Vest (11 Occurrences)... with authority, power, or the like; to put in possession; to invest; to furnish;
to endow; -- followed by with before the thing conferred; as, to
vest a court
...Colours (20 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:3 And Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was son
of his old age; and he made him avest of many colours. (DBY JPS)....
Discern (49 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:32 and they sent thevest of many colours and had it carried to their
father, and said, This have we found: discern now whether it is thy son'svest...
Buck (23 Occurrences)
... Buck (23 Occurrences). Genesis 37:31 And they took Joseph'svest, and slaughtered
a buck of the goats, and dipped thevest in the blood; (DBY)....
Slaughtered (72 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:31 And they took Joseph'svest, and slaughtered a buck of the
goats, and dipped thevest in the blood; (DBY NAS NIV)....
Slaughter (121 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Genesis 37:31 And they took Joseph'svest, and slaughtered a buck of
the goats, and dipped thevest in the blood; (Root in DBY YLT NAS NIV)....
Cloak (73 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and
an ephod, and a cloak, and a checkeredvest, a turban, and a girdle; and they...
Carried (327 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:32 and they sent thevest of many colours and had it carried to their
father, and said, This have we found: discern now whether it is thy son'svest...
Vestibule (36 Occurrences)
Vessel's (1 Occurrence)
Resources
Vest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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