In biblical times, clothing was an essential aspect of daily life, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. The concept of seams in garments is mentioned in the Bible, often highlighting the craftsmanship and care involved in making clothing. Seams, the lines where two pieces of fabric are sewn together, are indicative of the skill and attention to detail in garment construction.

Biblical References

One of the most notable references to a garment without seams is found in the account of Jesus' crucifixion. In the Gospel of John, the soldiers cast lots for Jesus' tunic, which was woven in one piece without seams. John 19:23-24 states: "When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His garments into four parts, one for each soldier, with the tunic remaining. Now the tunic was seamless, woven from top to bottom. So they said to one another, 'Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.' This was to fulfill the Scripture: 'They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.'"

This passage highlights the significance of the seamless tunic, which was considered valuable enough to be preserved intact. The seamless nature of the tunic may symbolize the unity and perfection of Christ's ministry and personhood.

Symbolism and Craftsmanship

In the ancient Near East, the construction of garments was a meticulous process, often involving skilled artisans. The presence of seams in a garment could indicate the quality and care taken in its creation. Seamless garments, like the one worn by Jesus, were rare and required exceptional skill to produce. This craftsmanship can be seen as a reflection of the divine order and attention to detail in God's creation.

The seamless tunic of Jesus also serves as a metaphor for the unity of the Church. Just as the tunic was woven in one piece, the Church is called to be united in faith and purpose, without division or schism. This unity is emphasized in Ephesians 4:3-6 : "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Cultural Context

In the cultural context of the Bible, clothing was not only a necessity but also a symbol of status and identity. The quality of a garment, including the presence and execution of seams, could indicate the wearer's social standing. Seamless garments, being more costly and labor-intensive to produce, were often associated with wealth or special status.

The mention of seams, or the lack thereof, in biblical texts serves to underscore the importance of clothing as a reflection of both human and divine craftsmanship. It also highlights the broader themes of unity, integrity, and the fulfillment of prophecy within the biblical narrative.919. bedeq -- a fissure, rent, breach
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a fissure, rent, breach NASB Word
Usage damage (1), damages (7), seams (2). breach, caulker. ...
/hebrew/919.htm - 6k

The Soul of Prayer
... And it is good to pace the Italian paving, to tread the fragrance from the alyssum
in the seams, to brood upon the horizons of the far, long wolds, with their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/forsyth/the soul of prayer/title page.htm

A Preservative against Unsettled Notions, and Want of Principles ...
... Wherefore, as the whole of this great nation seams now more than ever in danger
of being hurried into one or the other of these equally pernicious extremes ...
/.../a preservative against unsettled notions.htm

Concerning the Garments of the Priests, and of the High Priest.
... and sewed together; besides which, a piece of fine linen covers the whole cap from
the upper part, and reaches down to the forehead, and hides the seams of the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 concerning the garments.htm

The Church and Social Evils
... are as indispensable to progress as the noise of the wheels of a train is to its
advancement, or as the bilge-water in a wooden ship is to keep its seams tight ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the church and social evils.htm

section 2
... coils and velvety balls; mimic concertinas, and bits of quaint embroidery; imitation
snail-shells, croziers, pods with frills at the seams, spiked caskets with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the christ-life/section 2.htm

The Scripture a Necessity.
... It does not alter the case that the Holy Scripture shows so many seams and uneven
places, and looks different from what we should expect. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xiii the scripture a necessity.htm

Sailors' Hymns.
... In a letter dated Oct.28 of that year, he describes the storm that washed away a
large part of the ship's cargo, strained her seams so that the hardest pumping ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter x sailors hymns.htm

Jesus Charged with Blasphemy
... That part of His teaching and character is either the manifestation of His glory
or it is like one of those fatal black seams that run through and penetrate ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/jesus charged with blasphemy.htm

La Brea
... at exactly the same level, their rounded rims squeezed tight against each other;
then conceive water poured on them so as to fill the parting seams, and in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter viii la brea.htm

What a Good Man Is, and How He Becomes So
... that rushing mighty wind to fill our sails if we like, should we be lying in the
sickly calms of the tropics, with the pitch oozing out of the seams, and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/what a good man is.htm

Seams (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Seams (2 Occurrences). Ezekiel 27:9 The old men
of Gebal and the wise men of it were in you your repairers ...
/s/seams.htm - 7k

Repairers (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:9 The old men of Gebal and the wise men of it were in you your repairers
of ship seams: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in you to ...
/r/repairers.htm - 7k

Mariners (7 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:9 The old men of Gebal and the wise men of it were in you your repairers
of ship seams: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in you to ...
/m/mariners.htm - 8k

Sailors (9 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:9 The old men of Gebal and the wise men of it were in you your repairers
of ship seams: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in you to ...
/s/sailors.htm - 9k

Wares (23 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:9 The old men of Gebal and the wise men of it were in you your repairers
of ship seams: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in you to ...
/w/wares.htm - 15k

Merchandise (34 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:9 The old men of Gebal and the wise men of it were in you your repairers
of ship seams: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in you to ...
/m/merchandise.htm - 22k

Boats (11 Occurrences)
... She is manned with oarsmen of Sidon and Arvad, pilots of the wise men of Tyre, calkers
from Gebal to stop up the cracks and seams in her timbers, mariners and ...
/b/boats.htm - 40k

Fell (331 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) The finer portions of ore which go through the meshes, when the ore is
sorted by sifting. 11. (vt) To sew or hem; -- said of seams. 12. ...
/f/fell.htm - 36k

Fault (42 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A dislocation of the strata of the vein. 5. (n.) In coal seams, coal rendered
worthless by impurities in the seam; as, slate fault, dirt fault, etc. ...
/f/fault.htm - 23k

Dealers (16 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:27 Your riches, and your wares, your merchandise, your mariners, and
your pilots, your repairers of ship seams, and the dealers in your merchandise ...
/d/dealers.htm - 11k

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