A long garment reaching the ankles, usually made of wool, worn over a tunic.
About Robe
The robe of the High Priest was worn on top of the tunic and thus was a kind of jacket or overshirt. It was woven of light blue wool thread. It was a long garment, hanging down to the ankles. It is not clear whether it had sleeves or not, nor whether it was open or closed in the front. Somewhat like a Latin American poncho, it may even have been a rectangular piece of cloth with a hole in the middle for the head. Around the hem of the robe were sewn alternating golden bells (see Jinglet, bell) and pomegranates made of woven threads. The robe was held in place by the ephod, which was worn over it. See the illustrations at High Priest’s clothing and Ephod.
Key References
You are to make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth,
Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.
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.
All Scripture References (27)
Exodus (9)
These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests.
You are to make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth,
alternating the gold bells and pomegranates around the lower hem of the robe.
Take the garments and clothe Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself, and the breastplate. Fasten the ephod on him with its woven waistband.
They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, the work of a weaver,
with an opening in the center of the robe like that of a garment, with a collar around the opening so that it would not tear.
They made pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely spun linen on the lower hem of the robe.
They also made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates,
alternating the bells and pomegranates around the lower hem of the robe to be worn for ministry, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Leviticus (1)
He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He tied the woven band of the ephod around him and fastened it to him.
1 Samuel (6)
Each year his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him when she went with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.
As Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the hem of his robe, and it tore.
And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.
Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.
“What does he look like?” asked Saul. “An old man is coming up,” she replied. “And he is wearing a robe.” So Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed facedown in reverence.
2 Samuel (1)
So Amnon’s attendant threw her out and bolted the door behind her. Now Tamar was wearing a robe of many colors, because this is what the king’s virgin daughters wore.
1 Chronicles (1)
Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod.
Ezra (2)
Job (3)
Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,
When they lifted up their eyes from afar, they could barely recognize Job. They began to weep aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust in the air over his head.
I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban.
Psalms (1)
May my accusers be clothed with disgrace; may they wear their shame like a robe.
Isaiah (2)
He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.
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.
Ezekiel (1)
All the princes of the sea will descend from their thrones, remove their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments. Clothed with terror, they will sit on the ground, trembling every moment, appalled over you.