Dress and Clothing in the Hebrew Bible: For All Her Household Are Clothed in Crimson

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Description

Built upon the flourishing study of costume, this book analyses sartorial evidence provided both by texts of the ancient Near East and the Hebrew Bible. The essays within lend clarity to the link between material and ideological, examining the tradition of dress, the different types of literature that reference the tradition of garments, and the people for whom such literature was written. The contributors explore sources that illuminate the social, psychological, aesthetic, ideological and symbolic meanings of clothing. The topics covered range from the relationship between clothing, kingship and power, to the symbolic significance of the high priestly regalia and the concept of garments as deception and defiance, while also considering the tendency to omit or ignore descriptions of YHWHs clothing. Following a historical sequence, the essays cross-reference with each other to create a milestone in biblical sartorial study.

Reviews

The biggest strength of this collection is the academic rigour with which each contributor approaches the topic ... a fascinating collection of studies on the subject of dress. * Vetus Testamentum *
[T]his new field promises a unique and interesting way to understand the stories and laws found in the Hebrew Bible. * The Reporter Group *
The subjects of the individual essays include royal dress, priestly garments, and dress as a metaphor. Biblical scholars will value these essays since they expand their horizons of biblical interpretation. * The Bible Today *
The various chapters of the book are incomparable. ... For historians of dress this should be a mandatory book, because generally little is known about clothing in the Hebrew Bible. * The Journal of Dress History *

Author Bio

Antonios Finitsis is Associate Professor at Pacific Lutheran University, USA.