The term "robed" in the Bible often signifies dignity, authority, and divine favor. Clothing in biblical times was not merely functional but also symbolic, representing one's status, role, and relationship with God. The imagery of being robed is used throughout Scripture to convey spiritual truths and divine interactions with humanity.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, robes are frequently associated with priestly garments and royal attire. The priests of Israel were commanded to wear specific robes as part of their sacred duties. Exodus 28:4-5 describes the garments of the high 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 sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests. They shall use gold, along with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen."

The robe of the high priest was a symbol of his mediating role between God and the people. It was intricately designed and held great significance in the religious life of Israel.

Royal robes also appear in the narratives of the kings of Israel and Judah. For instance, in 1 Samuel 18:4 , Jonathan, the son of King Saul, gives his robe to David, signifying the transfer of his princely status and his recognition of David's future as king: "Then Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt."

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of being robed takes on a spiritual dimension. Believers are often described as being clothed in righteousness or in Christ. In Revelation 7:9 , a vision of the redeemed is presented: "After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands."

The white robes symbolize purity, victory, and the righteousness imparted to believers through faith in Jesus Christ. This imagery underscores the transformation and sanctification of the saints.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

The act of being robed in the Bible often signifies a change in status or identity. Isaiah 61:10 beautifully captures this transformation: "I will rejoice greatly in the LORD; my soul will exult in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

This passage highlights the joy and celebration associated with being clothed in God's righteousness, a gift that transforms the believer's identity and standing before God.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of being robed is rich with meaning, encompassing themes of authority, purity, and divine favor. Whether in the context of priestly service, royal authority, or spiritual transformation, robes in Scripture serve as powerful symbols of God's work in and through His people.(imp. & p. p.) of Robe.

The Rock and the Water
... of that ceremonial was that on each morning of the seven, and possibly on the eighth,
'the last day of the Feast,' a procession of white-robed priests wound ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the rock and the water.htm

In Reply to those who Say "If Christ Has Two Natures, Either Ye do ...
... For just as the king deserves homage alike when un-robed and when robed, and just
as the purple robe, considered simply as a purple robe, is trampled upon and ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter iii in reply to those.htm

HymnOf the Baptized
... 21. Glory to them that are robed, glory to Adam's house!"in the birth that
is from the water, let them rejoice and be blessed! 22. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiii hymn of the.htm

Hark! the Voice Eternal
... Hark! the voice eternal,. Robed in majesty,. Calling into being. Earth and sea and
sky; Hark! ... Lo! again he cometh,. Robed in clouds of fight,. As the Judge eternal ...
/.../processionals 518 hark the voice.htm

In common with the Roman Church, the Greek Church has seven ...
... it may be useful in the first place to give some description of the vestments worn
in the Greek Church, and with which the clergy are robed according to their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns of the holy eastern church/iii.htm

The Procession of Amen
... and stood to marvel. The men were stalwart, black-bearded and strong of
feature, and robed in no Egyptian garb. They were draped ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter iv the procession of.htm

The Day of Atonement
... The white-robed priest took a censer of burning embers from the altar before the
tent-door, and two hands full of incense, and, thus laden, passed into the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

Prolonged Agony
... catechumens were assembled in the Baptistery, and the sacred service had begun,
amid ringing hymns and holy rejoicing, as the white-robed candidates stood ...
/.../chapter l prolonged agony.htm

The Two Guests
... Two guests come; one, dark-robed and approaching at the fitting season for such,
'the night.' The other bright, coming with all things fresh and sunny, in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the two guests.htm

On Clothes.
... Now rivalry of these archons extended also to the other Ionians, whom Homer, to
show their effeminancy, calls "Long-robed." Those, therefore, who are devoted ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi name clothes.htm

Robed (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Robe. Multi-Version Concordance Robed
(9 Occurrences). ... He was robed in a cloud, and over his head was the rainbow. ...
/r/robed.htm - 9k

Robe (142 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To invest with a robe or robes; to dress; to array; as, fields robed with
green. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ROBE. rob. See DRESS sec. 1, (3). ...
/r/robe.htm - 37k

Wreath (21 Occurrences)
... Revelation 12:1 And a great marvel was seen in Heaven-- a woman who was robed with
the sun and had the moon under her feet, and had also a wreath of stars ...
/w/wreath.htm - 12k

Resembled (18 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Revelation 10:1 Then I saw another strong angel coming down from Heaven.
He was robed in a cloud, and over his head was the rainbow. ...
/r/resembled.htm - 12k

Musicians (6 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 5:12 And the Levites who made the music, all of them, Asaph, Heman,
Jeduthun, and their sons and brothers, robed in fair linen, were in their ...
/m/musicians.htm - 8k

Blowing (31 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 5:12 And the Levites who made the music, all of them, Asaph, Heman,
Jeduthun, and their sons and brothers, robed in fair linen, were in their ...
/b/blowing.htm - 16k

Corded (37 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 5:12 And the Levites who made the music, all of them, Asaph, Heman,
Jeduthun, and their sons and brothers, robed in fair linen, were in their ...
/c/corded.htm - 18k

Ahimelech (17 Occurrences)
... Nob. The scale on which it existed is indicated by the fact that 85 robed
priests perished in the massacre (1 Samuel 22:18). They ...
/a/ahimelech.htm - 20k

Apparel (38 Occurrences)
... 9; himatismos, and katastole). Angels are robed in white apparel (Acts
1:10; compare Luke 24:4, "dazzling"). Fig. of the glorious ...
/a/apparel.htm - 24k

Marvel (20 Occurrences)
... Revelation 12:1 And a great marvel was seen in Heaven-- a woman who was robed with
the sun and had the moon under her feet, and had also a wreath of stars ...
/m/marvel.htm - 16k

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