“Contextualizing the Study of Salvation Imagery in Isaiah: A Survey of Clothing Imagery in the Old Testament. Part II”

Abstract

This article is the second in a sequel on clothing and attire prevalent in ancient Israel from the 11th to the 8th century BCE. It gives attention on the distinctive garb of the people within their social and religious life structures. Utilizing textual evidence, this study examines the daily attire and ceremonial garments worn by different social strata, highlighting the distinctions in fabrics, colors, and adornments that reflected both individual identity and communal norms. Special attention is given to the attire associated with religious observances, illustrating how clothing served as a medium for expressing spiritual devotion and group identity. By situating these insights within the historical context of the prophetic milieu in which Isaiah emerged, the article aims to provide a deeper understanding of how clothing functioned not only as a practical necessity but also as a symbolic language that conveyed YHWH’s messages of salvation to His people.