Fashion, as a concept, refers to the prevailing styles of dress and adornment at any given time. In the context of the Bible, fashion is not merely about clothing but also encompasses the attitudes and values associated with appearance and modesty. The Bible provides insights into how clothing and adornment were perceived and utilized in ancient times, offering guidance on the principles of modesty, humility, and identity.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, clothing often signified status, identity, and even spiritual condition. Genesis 3:21 records the first instance of clothing, where "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." This act of God clothing Adam and Eve after the Fall signifies a covering of their newfound shame and vulnerability.

The attire of the Israelites was also regulated by the Law. Deuteronomy 22:5 states, "A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this." This command underscores the importance of maintaining distinct gender roles and identities as ordained by God.

Priestly garments were detailed and symbolic, as seen in Exodus 28, where God instructs Moses on the specific attire for Aaron and his sons. These garments were "for glory and for beauty" (Exodus 28:2), indicating that fashion, when aligned with divine purpose, could reflect God's glory.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the focus shifts more towards the inner self rather than outward appearance. 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." This passage emphasizes the value of inner beauty over external fashion.

Similarly, 1 Timothy 2:9-10 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, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." Here, modesty and good works are highlighted as the true adornments of a believer.

Cultural and Spiritual Implications

Fashion in biblical times was also a reflection of cultural and spiritual identity. The Israelites were often warned against adopting the customs and attire of surrounding nations, which were associated with idolatry and immorality. In Zephaniah 1:8, God warns of judgment against those "who wear foreign apparel," indicating that clothing could symbolize allegiance to foreign gods and practices.

The Bible also acknowledges the use of clothing in expressing grief or repentance. Sackcloth and ashes were traditional signs of mourning and humility, as seen in the actions of Job (Job 16:15) and the people of Nineveh (Jonah 3:5-6).

Principles for Today

While the Bible does not provide a detailed dress code for modern believers, the principles of modesty, humility, and identity in Christ remain relevant. Believers are encouraged to dress in a manner that reflects their faith and values, avoiding extravagance and immodesty. Romans 12:2 advises, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind," suggesting that Christians should not be swayed by worldly fashion trends but should instead focus on their spiritual transformation.

In summary, fashion in the Bible is more than a matter of clothing; it is a reflection of one's heart, values, and identity in God. The biblical narrative encourages believers to prioritize inner beauty and godliness over external appearances, aligning their fashion choices with their faith and witness to the world.Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore I say to you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) The make or form of anything; the style, shape, appearance, or mode of structure; pattern, model; as, the fashion of the ark, of a coat, of a house, of an altar, etc.; workmanship; execution.

2. (n.) The prevailing mode or style, especially of dress; custom or conventional usage in respect of dress, behavior, etiquette, etc.; particularly, the mode or style usual among persons of good breeding; as, to dress, dance, sing, ride, etc., in the fashion.

3. (n.) Polite, fashionable, or genteel life; social position; good breeding; as, men of fashion.

4. (n.) Mode of action; method of conduct; manner; custom; sort; way.

5. (v. t.) To form; to give shape or figure to; to mold.

6. (v. t.) To fit; to adapt; to accommodate; -- with to.

7. (v. t.) To make according to the rule prescribed by custom.

8. (v. t.) To forge or counterfeit.

FASHION

fash'-un (mishpaT; schema, the make, pattern, shape, manner or appearance of a thing (from Latin faction-em, "a making," through Old French fatson, fachon)): In the Old Testament the noun "fashion" represents 3 Hebrew words:

(1) MishpaT = literally, "judgment," hence, judicial sentence, right, custom, manner; usually translated "judgment" (very frequent), but also a few times "sentence," "cause," "charge," and more frequently "manner" (nearly 40 times in the King James Version). In 3 passages it is translated "fashion," in the sense of style, shape, make, in each case of a building or part of a building (Exodus 26:30 1 Kings 6:38 Ezekiel 42:11).

(2) Tekhunah = literally, "arrangement," "adjustment" (compare takhan, "to set right," "adjust," from kun, hekhin, "to set up," "establish"); Ezekiel 43:11, "the form of the house, and the fashion thereof." A cognate word in the preceding verse is translated "pattern" (the Revised Version, margin "sum").

(3) Demuth = "resemblance" (from damah, "to be similar"), generally translated "likeness" in English Versions of the Bible, but "fashion" in 2 Kings 16:10, where it means pattern or model. The verb "to fashion" stands for

(a) yatsar, "to form," "fashion" (Psalm 33:15; Psalm 139:16 the King James Version; Isaiah 22:11 the King James Version; Isaiah 44:12; Isaiah 45:9);

(b) `asah, "to work," "make," "form" (Job 10:8);

(c) kun, "to set up," "establish," "prepare" (Job 31:15 Psalm 119:73 Ezekiel 16:7);

(d) tsur, "to bind up together," "compress" (Exodus 32:4, of Aaron fashioning the golden calf out of the golden rings).

In the New Testament, the noun represents 5 Greek words:

(1) Of these, the most interesting is schema, "figure," "shape," "fashion" (from schein, aorist of echein, "to have," compare Latin habitus, from habeo, "I have"). Schema denotes a transient, external semblance or fashion, and so it may be distinguished from its synonym morphe, which denotes the essential intrinsic form of a thing, expressing its real nature. (See Lightfoot, Detached Note on Philippians 2; Trench, New Testament Syn., 252; Gifford, Incarnation, 22. The distinction is rejected by Meyer, on Romans 12:2, and by others.) In the New Testament, the noun schema occurs but twice: 1 Corinthians 7:31, "The fashion of this world passeth away," where there seems to be an allusion to theatrical scenes, which are in their very nature transitory (compare 2 Maccabees 4:13); and Philippians 2:8, "being found in fashion as a man," i.e. having the outward figure and bearing of a man, such marks of human nature as strike the senses (contrast morphe Theou, "form of God," Philippians 2:6, and morphe doulou, "form of servant," 2:7, which describe Christ's real inner nature). The word schema is found in compound verbs in the following passages: Romans 12:2, "Be not fashioned (sunschematizesthe) according to this world: but be ye transformed (metamorphousthe) by the renewing of your mind" (so the Revised Version (British and American)), paraphrased by Sanday and Headlam, "Do not adopt the external and fleeting fashion of this world, but be ye transformed in your inmost nature" (Comm. in the place cited.); 2 Corinthians 11:13, metaschematizomai, the King James Version "transformed," better the Revised Version (British and American) "fashioned," the reference being to "the fictitious, illusory transformation whereby evil assumes the mask of good" (Lightfoot, Commentary on Phil, 131); 1 Peter 1:14, "not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts," paraphrased by Lightfoot, "not falling in with the capricious guidance of the passions" (same place). In Philippians 3:21, the adjective summorphos is translated "fashioned" in the King James Version, but better "conformed" as in Revised Version (British and American).

(2) Eioos, eidos, literally, "thing seen," "external appearance," "shape," is translated "fashion" in Luke 9:29, of the glorified appearance of the transfigured Christ.

(3) prosopon, literally, "face," hence, look, appearance, James 1:11, "The grace of the fashion of it perisheth."

(4) tupos, type, model, translated "fashion" in Acts 7:44 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "figure"), the Greek word being taken from the Septuagint of the quoted passage, Exodus 25:40. The same phrase, kata ton tupon, in the parallel passage, Hebrews 8:5, is translated "according to the pattern."

(5) In one instance the phrase "on this fashion," "in this manner," represents the Greek adverb houtos, "thus" (Mark 2:12).

D. Miall Edwards

1491. eidos -- appearance, fashion, shape, sight.
... 1490b, 1491. eidos. 1491a . appearance, fashion, shape, sight. Part of
Speech ... seen His .". appearance, fashion, shape, sight. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1491.htm - 7k

5158. tropos -- a way, manner, fashion
... a way, manner, fashion. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: tropos
Phonetic Spelling: (trop'-os) Short Definition: way, manner, character Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5158.htm - 7k

2452. Ioudaikos -- in Jewish fashion
... in Jewish fashion. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: Ioudaikos Phonetic Spelling:
(ee-oo-dah-ee-koce') Short Definition: in the manner of Jews Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2452.htm - 6k

4833. summorphoo -- conform to, fashion self according to.
... 4832b, 4833. summorphoo. 4834 . conform to, fashion self according to. ... Word
Origin variant reading for summorphizo, qv. conform to, fashion self according to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4833.htm - 6k

3345. metaschematizo -- to change in fashion or appearance
... to change in fashion or appearance. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
metaschematizo Phonetic Spelling: (met-askh-ay-mat-id'-zo) Short Definition: I change ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3345.htm - 7k

1491a. eidon -- appearance, fashion, shape, sight.
... 1491, 1491a. eidon. 1491b . appearance, fashion, shape, sight. Transliteration:
eidon Short Definition: appearance. Word Origin a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1491a.htm - 5k

4976. schema -- figure, shape
... figure, shape. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: schema Phonetic Spelling:
(skhay'-mah) Short Definition: fashion, habit, form, appearance Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4976.htm - 7k

4964. suschematizo -- to conform to
... conform to NASB Word Usage conformed (2). conform to, fashion self according
to. From sun and a derivative of schema; to fashion ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4964.htm - 7k

3445. morphoo -- to form
... to form. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: morphoo Phonetic Spelling:
(mor-fo'-o) Short Definition: I form, fashion, shape Definition: I form, fashion, ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3445.htm - 6k

3779. houto and houtos -- in this way, thus
... 3779 (an adverb, derived from the demonstrative pronoun, 3778 , "this") --
fashion), (ie corresponding to what follows); ; , . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3779.htm - 7k

3335. yatsar -- to form, fashion
... to form, fashion. Transliteration: yatsar Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-tsar') Short
Definition: formed. ... earthen, fashion, form, frame, maker, potter, purpose. ...
/hebrew/3335.htm - 6k

8498. tekunah -- fashion, store
... tekunah. 8499 . fashion, store. Transliteration: tekunah Phonetic Spelling:
(tek-oo-naw') Short Definition: fashion. Word Origin see toknith. fashion, store ...
/hebrew/8498.htm - 5k

6696c. tsur -- to fashion, delineate
... tsur. 6697 . to fashion, delineate. Transliteration: tsur Short Definition: fashioned. ...
root Definition to fashion, delineate NASB Word Usage fashioned (2). ...
/hebrew/6696c.htm - 5k

6087b. atsab -- to shape, fashion
... atsab. 6088 . to shape, fashion. Transliteration: atsab Short Definition: fashioned. ...
root Definition to shape, fashion NASB Word Usage fashioned (1), image (1) ...
/hebrew/6087b.htm - 5k

6699. tsurah -- form, fashion
... 6698, 6699. tsurah. 6700 . form, fashion. Transliteration: tsurah Phonetic
Spelling: (tsoo-raw') Short Definition: design. Word ...
/hebrew/6699.htm - 6k

3559. kun -- to be firm
... 1), determined (1), direct (3), direct your right (1), directed (1), directs (1),
establish (15), established (52), establishes (2), fashion (1), fashioned (1 ...
/hebrew/3559.htm - 7k

1823. demuth -- likeness, similitude
... resembled (1). fashion, likeness, as, manner, similitude. From damah; resemblance;
concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like -- fashion ...
/hebrew/1823.htm - 6k

8246. shaqad -- to be shaped like almonds
... shaped like almond (6). make like unto, after the fashion of almonds. A
denominative from shaqed; to be (intensively, make) almond ...
/hebrew/8246.htm - 6k

6696. tsuwr -- to confine, bind, besiege
... adversary, assault, beset, besiege, bind up, cast, distress, fashion, A
primitive root; to cramp, ie Confine (in many applications ...
/hebrew/6696.htm - 5k

6213. asah -- do, make
... X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, + displease, do, (ready)
dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight ...
/hebrew/6213.htm - 6k

How, after the Fashion of the Olympic Games, a Monk Should not ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XVI. How, after the fashion of the Olympic games, a monk should
not attempt spiritual conflicts unless he has won battles over the flesh. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvi how after the.htm

But Neither Does He Use after Our Fashion of Using. ...
... BOOK I. Chapter 35. But neither does He use after our fashion of using.?
35. But neither does He use after our fashion of using. ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 35 but neither does.htm

This Jew of Celsus Continues, after the Above, in the Following ...
... Chapter XIII. This Jew of Celsus continues, after the above, in the following
fashion? This Jew of Celsus continues, after the ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xiii this jew of.htm

That a Woman Ought not to be Adorned in a Worldly Fashion.
... Third Book. 36. That a woman ought not to be adorned in a worldly fashion.
In the Apocalypse: "And there came one of the seven angels ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/36 that a woman ought.htm

The Epistle to the Philippians the Variances Amongst the Preachers ...
... Only Christ. St. Paul's Phrases"Form of a Servant, Likeness, and Fashion
of a Man"No Sanction of Docetism. No Antithesis (Such ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xx the epistle to the.htm

But Perhaps Some one is Alarmed at Hearing us Discourse of the ...
... Incarnation which we expounded just now was that the divine virtue of the Son of
God, as though it were a hook concealed beneath the form and fashion of human ...
/.../16 but perhaps some one.htm

Rom. xii. 1
... For the fashion of this world is grovelling and worthless, and but for a time, neither
hath ought of loftiness, or lastingness, or straightforwardness, but is ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xx rom xii 1.htm

Homily on Habib the Martyr, Composed by Mar Jacob.
... That for him likewise I should fashion an image of beauty among the glorious. ... That
I should fashion his image: but the blazing fire permits me not. ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents homily on.htm

Philippians ii. 11-May
... to be on an equality with God; but emptied Himself, taking upon Him the form of
a servant, being made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a ...
/.../homily vii philippians ii 11-may.htm

On the Sinful Woman.
... What means this fashion that thou showest today to thy lovers"that thou hast
put off thy wantonness and hast clothed thyself in modesty? ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/on the sinful woman.htm

Fashion (24 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The make or form of anything; the style, shape, appearance, or mode of
structure; pattern, model; as, the fashion of the ark, of a coat, of a house, of ...
/f/fashion.htm - 21k

Fashioned (22 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Fashion. 2. (a.) Having a certain style
or fashion; as old-fashioned; new-fashioned. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/fashioned.htm - 13k

Redeemer (42 Occurrences)
... Paul states this deliverance as a deliverance from the law which brings sin out
into expression, but we must not conceive his idea in any artificial fashion. ...
/r/redeemer.htm - 45k

Redemption (46 Occurrences)
... Paul states this deliverance as a deliverance from the law which brings sin out
into expression, but we must not conceive his idea in any artificial fashion. ...
/r/redemption.htm - 48k

Garb (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Costume; fashion; as, the garb of a gentleman in the 16th century.
4. (n.) External appearance, as expressive of the feelings ...
/g/garb.htm - 7k

Type (12 Occurrences)
... The Greek word tupos is rendered "print" (John 20:25), "figure" (Acts 7:43; Romans
5:14), "fashion" (Acts 7:44), "manner" (Acts 23:25), "form" (Romans 6:17 ...
/t/type.htm - 23k

Model (9 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) To plan or form after a pattern; to form in model; to form a model or pattern
for; to shape; to mold; to fashion; as, to model a house or a government ...
/m/model.htm - 10k

Mode (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Manner of doing or being; method; form; fashion;
custom; way; style; as, the mode of speaking; the mode of dressing. ...
/m/mode.htm - 8k

Plans (55 Occurrences)
... Kings 6:38 In the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was
the house finished throughout all its parts, and according to all its fashion...
/p/plans.htm - 20k

Worship (332 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 19:23 the King James Version has "served," the Revised Version (British and
American) "worship." `atsabh, "carve," "fabricate," "fashion," is once given ...
/w/worship.htm - 66k

How should a Christian view fashion? | GotQuestions.org

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Fashion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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