raiment

At a Glance

Archaic Bible English for clothing or garments.

Key Points

• Usually means ordinary clothing or apparel
• Meaning depends on the passage
• Clothing imagery can sometimes carry symbolic force
• The word itself is not a distinct doctrine

Description

Raiment is an older English word used in many Bible translations for clothing, garments, or apparel. In most passages it has an ordinary sense, referring to what people wear, whether everyday clothes, fine garments, or official attire. In some contexts, however, clothing imagery takes on added significance, such as mourning, honor, purity, status, or God’s provision. The term itself should not be treated as a technical theological category; its meaning depends on the context of each passage, and any spiritual significance comes from that context rather than from the word alone.

Biblical Context

Older English translations often use raiment where modern versions would say clothing, garments, or apparel. The word is common in passages about daily needs, rich clothing, royal dress, or symbolic garments.

Historical Context

Raiment belongs to older English usage and is now largely archaic in ordinary speech. It remains useful in Bible study because it preserves the language of earlier translations and older devotional writing.

Jewish and Ancient Context

In the ancient world, clothing could indicate status, mourning, identity, purity, or public honor. Biblical references to raiment should therefore be read in context rather than reduced to mere fabric or fashion.

Primary Key Texts

• Matthew 6:28-29
• James 2:2-3
• Revelation 19:8

Secondary Key Texts

• Luke 9:29
• Genesis 41:42
• Job 29:14

Original Language Note

Raiment is an English translation term that can render Hebrew and Greek words for clothing, garments, apparel, or dress. The exact underlying word depends on the passage.

Theological Significance

Raiment is not a doctrine by itself, but clothing language in Scripture can point to God’s provision, human dignity, humility, purity, status, or judgment.

Philosophical Explanation

As a vocabulary term, raiment illustrates how a single English word can carry different shades of meaning depending on literary and historical context. Theologically significant ideas come from the passage, not from the word itself.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not overread the English word raiment as if it were a technical theological term. Interpret each occurrence by its immediate context and the broader teaching of Scripture.

Major Views

There is no major doctrinal debate about the term itself. Discussion centers on the meaning of the passage where it appears.

Doctrinal Boundaries

Raiment is ordinary Bible vocabulary, not a separate doctrine. Any theological application must come from the context of the verse, not from the word alone.

Practical Significance

The term reminds readers that Scripture speaks plainly about everyday needs while also using clothing imagery to teach about honor, shame, provision, purity, and readiness before God.

Related Entries

• clothing
• garment
• apparel
• robe

See Also

• wedding garment
• garments
• linen
• robe