Clothing & Textiles —

Clothing has always been an important part of the human experience. Even from its outset, in the Bible, clothing has had symbolic as well as practical value. The early chapters of Genesis, showcase a fallen and shamed mankind that need to be clothed by God. From here, clothing as a symbol continues to develop in the Scripture, though it is not always explained. And its symbolic use in the Scripture is powerful, though not always explained. From discovered tablets in a few ancient cities (Ugarit, Mari), scholars have translated cultural attitudes towards clothing that can be helpful in proper Biblical understanding.

Mesopotamian documents stress the importance of the hem of garments. The hem was more than a practical reinforcement of an outfit, it was decorated, often ornately, and matched the person’s life status (i.e., married/unmarried), rank, and social standing. In Mesopotamian culture, it was considered an extension of the person themselves, therefore any alterations or damages to the hem were important. For example, in pagan rituals of exorcism, pieces of the hem would be cut off and rituals done to them as if it were the person themselves.[1] Pagan prophets of Mari would send small pieces of their hem to the king as a personal guarantee of their prophecy, or sometimes would impress their hem into clay using it like a signet seal.[2] And, as the final act in Mesopotamian divorce, the husband would remove the hem of his wife, removing her status as married into his household.[3]