In biblical terms, a vestment refers to a garment or article of clothing, often with religious or ceremonial significance. The concept of vestments is deeply rooted in the traditions and practices of the Israelites, as outlined in the Old Testament, and carries forward into the New Testament with spiritual implications.

Old Testament Context

Vestments in the Old Testament are most prominently associated with the priesthood, particularly the high priest, who was required to wear specific garments when performing his duties. These garments were not merely functional but held symbolic significance, representing holiness, authority, and the glory of God.

The Book of Exodus provides detailed instructions for the making of these priestly garments. In Exodus 28:2-4 , God commands Moses, "Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him glory and splendor. You are to instruct all the skilled craftsmen, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, to make Aaron’s garments for his consecration, so that he may serve Me as priest. These are the garments they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests."

The ephod, breastpiece, robe, and other items were crafted with fine materials and intricate designs, often incorporating gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, and fine linen. Each piece had a specific purpose and meaning, such as the breastpiece of judgment, which contained the Urim and Thummim, used for discerning God's will (Exodus 28:30).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the focus shifts from physical garments to spiritual vestments. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often uses the metaphor of clothing to describe the Christian life. In Colossians 3:12 , he writes, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

This metaphorical use of vestments emphasizes the transformation and sanctification of believers, who are called to "put on" virtues that reflect their new identity in Christ. The imagery of clothing oneself with Christ is further highlighted in Galatians 3:27 : "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

Symbolism and Significance

The use of vestments in the Bible underscores the importance of holiness and the distinctiveness of those who serve God. In the Old Testament, the physical garments set the priests apart, signifying their consecration and readiness to minister before the Lord. In the New Testament, the emphasis on spiritual vestments reflects the inner transformation of believers, who are called to live out their faith in a manner worthy of their calling.

Throughout Scripture, vestments serve as a reminder of the dignity and responsibility of those who are set apart for God's service, whether through the literal garments of the Old Testament priesthood or the spiritual virtues of the New Testament believer.1. (n.) A covering, outer garment or robe; some part of clothing or dress.

2. (n.) any priestly garment.

2066. esthes -- clothing
... Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: esthes Phonetic Spelling: (es-thace') Short
Definition: clothing, raiment Definition: clothing, raiment, vestment, robe ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2066.htm - 6k3830. lebush -- a garment, clothing, raiment
... garments (3), robe (3), robes (2). apparel, clothed with, clothing, garment,
raiment, vestment, vesture. Or lbush {leb-oosh'}; from ...
/hebrew/3830.htm - 6k

4403. malbush -- raiment, attire
... apparel, raiment, vestment. Or malbush {mal-boosh'}; from labash; a garment, or
(collectively) clothing -- apparel, raiment, vestment. see HEBREW labash. ...
/hebrew/4403.htm - 6k

4060. middah -- measure, measurement, stature, size, a garment
... of mad; properly, extension, ie Height or breadth; also a measure (including its
standard); hence a portion (as measured) or a vestment; specifically, tribute ...
/hebrew/4060.htm - 5k

4594. maateh -- a wrap, mantle
... Word Origin from atah Definition a wrap, mantle NASB Word Usage mantle (1). garment.
From atah; a vestment -- garment. see HEBREW atah. 4593, 4594. ...
/hebrew/4594.htm - 6k

Excursus on the Vestments of the Early Church.
... The manner in which the use of the stole is spoken of in this canon shews not only
the great antiquity of that vestment but of other ecclesiastical vestments ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the vestments of.htm

Concerning the Garments of the Priests, and of the High Priest.
... 2. Over this he wore a linen vestment, made of fine flax doubled: it is called Chethone,
and denotes linen, for we call linen by the name of Chethone. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 concerning the garments.htm

In common with the Roman Church, the Greek Church has seven ...
... The first vestment, and that which is common to every order, is the
Stoicharion, which corresponds to the Alb in use in the West. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns of the holy eastern church/iii.htm

Whether the Character is Imprinted on a Priest when the Chalice is ...
... blessing of the bishop. Objection 4: Further, as a chalice is handed to the
priest, even so is the priestly vestment. Therefore if a ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the character is imprinted.htm

Whether the Vestments of the Ministers are Fittingly Instituted in ...
... Now the bishop uses the vestments of the ministers, namely the dalmatic, which is
the deacon's vestment, and the tunic, which is the subdeacon's. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the vestments of the.htm

On the Holy Eucharist
... He places on his left arm the maniple, a short, narrow vestment. Around his neck
he places the stole, a long, narrow vestment with a cross on each end. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 22 on the holy.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... I do not now know what was inside these triangles. When the priest put on this sacred
vestment, the upper triangle exactly covered the lower one. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm

Devout Customs and Usages
... This is often embroidered. The Chasuble, sometimes called "the vestment" by way
of distinction, is worn only at the celebration of the Holy Communion. ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/devout customs and usages.htm

The General Service to one Hieromartyr
... Having steeped thy sacred vestment in blood, thou hast, O glorious (mentioned by
name), entered into the Holy of Holies, being thyself holy, and manifestly art ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xvi the general service.htm

The General Service to Saints Andrew of Constantinople, Isidore of ...
... Seeing in all the divine narratives one uniform, God-bearing meaning, thou,
O holy (mentioned by name), hast put on divine vestment. ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxvii the general service.htm

Vestment (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A covering, outer garment or robe; some part of clothing or dress. 2. (n.)
any priestly garment. Multi-Version Concordance Vestment (1 Occurrence). ...
/v/vestment.htm - 6k

Ephod (45 Occurrences)
... Something girt, a sacred vestment worn originally by the high priest (Exodus
28:4), afterwards by the ordinary priest (1 Samuel 22:18), and characteristic of ...
/e/ephod.htm - 27k

Vest (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An article of clothing covering the person;
an outer garment; a vestment; a dress; a vesture; a robe. ...
/v/vest.htm - 11k

Vestibules (1 Occurrence)

/v/vestibules.htm - 6k

Vesture (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A garment or garments; a robe; clothing;
dress; apparel; vestment; covering; envelope. 2. (n.) The ...
/v/vesture.htm - 9k

Vestments (3 Occurrences)

/v/vestments.htm - 7k

Investment (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of investing, or the state of being invested.
2. (n.) That with which anyone is invested; a vestment. ...
/i/investment.htm - 7k

Breastplate (45 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A strap that runs across a horse's breast. 4. (n.) A part of the vestment
of the high priest, worn upon the front of the ephod. ...
/b/breastplate.htm - 24k

Cope (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) An ecclesiastical vestment or cloak, semicircular in form, reaching from
the shoulders nearly to the feet, and open in front except at the top, where ...
/c/cope.htm - 7k

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