Old Testament Fashion

[CJ.23]

Hiya chaps. Just out of curiosity, does anyone know any rules or laws, or historical facts concerning the colours of clothing in Old Testament Hebrew society? I am particulalrly looking at the period of Exodus. I'm guessing unbleached linen was common, but did they have dyes? The Canaanites made a famous purple dye, so dyeing was common, but that was fabulously expensive? We know Jacob wore a coat of many colours, but not which? Can anyone help at all? (I'm painting and want to get it right if possible!)

cj x

 

[Biarien]

I know Jews weren't supposed to wear clothes made out of multiple fabrics (Lev 19:19)...

 

[CJ.23]

Yes, I recall that. I guess that means linen and or wool predominated? From negavtice references I'm guessing scarlet was not worn, but was a Canaanite colour, and as previously noted also purple. Beyond that however, I'm stuck! Thanks for the verse though!

cj x

 

[The Thadman]

Hiya chaps. Just out of curiosity, does anyone know any rules or laws, or historical facts concerning the colours of clothing in Old Testament Hebrew society? I am particulalrly looking at the period of Exodus. I'm guessing unbleached linen was common, but did they have dyes? The Canaanites made a famous purple dye, so dyeing was common, but that was fabulously expensive? We know Jacob wore a coat of many colours, but not which? Can anyone help at all? (I'm painting and want to get it right if possible!)

cj x

Usually it was unbleached wool, but there were shades of deep blue, reddish-purple, and scarlet red.

The deep blue was used to tie unbleached tzitzyot (tassels) on the corners of clothing, so everyone would have these. The traditional style of cloaks, however, had thin bars of blue, varying in thickness, across the woof of the cloth. Blue, purple, and scarlet, however, were -very- expensive.

Shlomo,
-Steve-o