In biblical times, turbans were a common headwear, particularly in the ancient Near East, and they held both cultural and religious significance. The Bible references turbans in various contexts, often highlighting their role in priestly attire and as symbols of dignity and honor.

Priestly Garments:

The most notable mention of turbans in the Bible is in the context of the priestly garments worn by Aaron and his descendants. In Exodus 28, God provides Moses with detailed instructions for the garments of the high priest, which include a turban. Exodus 28:39 states, "You are to weave the tunic with fine linen, make the turban of fine linen, and fashion the sash with embroidered work." The turban was an integral part of the high priest's attire, symbolizing purity and holiness. It was made of fine linen, indicating its importance and the sanctity of the priestly office.

Additionally, the high priest's turban was adorned with a gold plate inscribed with "Holy to the LORD" (Exodus 28:36-38). This inscription served as a constant reminder of the priest's consecration and dedication to God, emphasizing the sacred nature of his duties.

Symbol of Honor and Authority:

Beyond the priestly context, turbans are also mentioned as symbols of honor and authority. In the book of Job, Elihu describes the removal of a turban as a metaphor for the loss of dignity and status: "He takes away the understanding of the leaders of the earth and makes them wander in a pathless wasteland" (Job 12:24). Here, the turban represents the wisdom and authority bestowed upon leaders, and its removal signifies their downfall.

In Isaiah 3:23 , turbans are listed among the luxurious items that will be taken away from the daughters of Zion as a consequence of their pride and haughtiness. This passage underscores the association of turbans with wealth and social standing.

Cultural Context:

Turbans were not unique to the Israelites; they were a common feature of attire in the broader ancient Near Eastern cultures. They served practical purposes, such as protection from the sun, and were also used to signify social status and identity. The biblical references to turbans reflect this cultural backdrop, where head coverings were an essential part of daily life and ceremonial dress.

Prophetic Imagery:

In prophetic literature, turbans are sometimes used symbolically. For instance, in Zechariah 3:5 , the prophet sees a vision of Joshua the high priest being clothed in clean garments, including a clean turban: "Then I said, 'Let them put a clean turban on his head.' So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, as the angel of the LORD stood by." This vision symbolizes the restoration and purification of the priesthood, with the clean turban representing a renewed state of holiness and acceptance before God.

Conclusion:

Throughout the Bible, turbans are depicted as significant articles of clothing, imbued with religious, cultural, and social meanings. They serve as symbols of holiness, authority, and honor, reflecting the values and beliefs of the biblical world.2871. tebul -- a turban
... 2870b, 2871. tebul. 2872 . a turban. Transliteration: tebul Phonetic
Spelling: (taw-bool') Short Definition: turbans. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/2871.htm - 6k

6797. tsaniph -- a turban
... turban. Word Origin from tsanaph Definition a turban NASB Word Usage diadem
(1), turban (3), turbans (1). diadem, hood, mitre. Or ...
/hebrew/6797.htm - 6k

6287b. peer -- headdress, turban
... Word Origin from paar Definition headdress, turban NASB Word Usage decorated (1),
garland (2), headdresses (1), turban (1), turbans (2). 6287a, 6287b. ...
/hebrew/6287b.htm - 5k

The Races --A Letter
... The coloured women wandered about, in showy prints, great crinolines, and gorgeous
turbans. The Coolie women sat in groups on the glass"ah! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xv the racesa letter.htm

Early Missionary Experiences
... A band of rebels, known as the "Red Turbans," had taken possession of the native
city, against which was encamped an Imperial army of from forty to fifty ...
/.../taylor/a retrospect/chapter ix early missionary experiences.htm

An Appeal to the Married Women.
... For some, with their turbans and woollen bands, do not veil their head, but bind
it up; protected, indeed, in front, but, where the head properly lies, bare. ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter xvii an appeal to the.htm

Of Putting Off Cloaks.
... God, forsooth, would not hear cloaked suppliants, who plainly heard the three saints
in the Babylonian king's furnace praying in their trousers and turbans. ...
/.../tertullian/on prayer/chapter xv of putting off cloaks.htm

Port of Spain
... On the doorsteps sit Negresses in gaudy print dresses, with stiff turbans (which
are, according to this year's fashion, of chocolate and yellow silk plaid ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter iv port of spain.htm

Definiteness of Purpose in Christian Work
... They touched their turbans, fell upon their knees, saluted one another with
a holy kiss, talked together concerning their own interests. ...
/.../chapman/and judas iscariot/definiteness of purpose in christian.htm

The Story of the Fiery Furnace
... Then the soldiers of the king's army seized the three young Jews, as they stood
in their loose robes, with their turbans on their heads. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the fiery.htm

Letter i. To Innocent.
... to my aid the example of the three children, [6] who, amid the cool, encircling
fire, sang hymns, [7] instead of weeping, and around whose turbans and holy ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter i to innocent.htm

Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... as the hair of women;" that is, they were Arabs by nation, who, according to Pliny,
wear their hair uncut, and in the manner of women, having turbans on their ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the three woe trumpets.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... to the view: a wild confusion of men and horses, of donkeys and camels, of countenances
of all hues, swarthy and black, livid and pale, of turbans of all dyes ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 62.htm

Turbans (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Turbans (6 Occurrences). ... (YLT). Isaiah 3:23 the
hand-mirrors, and the fine linen, and the turbans, and the veils. ...
/t/turbans.htm - 8k

Hood
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews tsaniph) a tiara round the head (Isaiah
3:23; RV, pl., "turbans"). Rendered "diadem," Job 29:14 ...
/h/hood.htm - 9k

Turban (13 Occurrences)

/t/turban.htm - 11k

Veils (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 3:19 the earrings, the bracelets, the veils, (WEB JPS DBY NAS NIV). Isaiah
3:23 the hand-mirrors, and the fine linen, and the turbans, and the veils. ...
/v/veils.htm - 7k

Natives (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:15 girded with girdles upon their loins, with pendant turbans upon their
heads, all of them captains to look upon, the likeness of the sons of ...
/n/natives.htm - 8k

Linen (111 Occurrences)
... and thread (Ezek. 40:3), napkins (Luke 24:12; John 20:7), turbans (Ezek.
44:18), and lamp-wicks (Isaiah 42:3). (2.) Hebrews buts ...
/l/linen.htm - 50k

Girdles (13 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:15 girded with girdles on their waists, with flowing turbans on their
heads, all of them princes to look on, after the likeness of the Babylonians ...
/g/girdles.htm - 10k

Girdeth (11 Occurrences)
... 8:13 And Moses bringeth near the sons of Aaron, and doth clothe them 'with' coats,
and girdeth them 'with' girdles, and bindeth for them turbans, as Jehovah ...
/g/girdeth.htm - 9k

Gauze (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gauze (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 3:23 the hand-mirrors, and
the fine linen, and the turbans, and the veils. (See JPS RSV). ...
/g/gauze.htm - 7k

Waists (5 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:15 girded with girdles on their waists, with flowing turbans on their
heads, all of them princes to look on, after the likeness of the Babylonians ...
/w/waists.htm - 8k

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