Figure 1.--There are countles paintings and illustrations of Biblicam scenes. The clothing illusrated in most is purely imaginative. This is a popular image of the boy Jesus among the Doctors in the temple of Jerusalem (Luke 3:41 ff.). We are not yet sure who the illustrator was or when it was ceated, probably the early 20th century. The clothing seems plasusiblr. The actual details arem however, purely imaginative. Because Hebrews for religious reasons did not permit human depictions, it is difficult to know how these garments were.The depiction of Jesus seems a reasonable based on available informnation, including the simple tunic ad barefeet. It is very probable that children usually didn't wear sandals unless they came from wealthy families. We do know that footwear in the Temple was forbidden. Thus the footwear worn by Mary and by the Rabbis incorrect. This depiction is anachronistic. In the temple, men had to cover their heads. The image is not correct about this point. We are not sure what the rule was for biys. The striking colors, especially the purple and bright yellow seem very unlikely.

We have very limited information on the clothing of the ancient Hebrews. As a result of Mosaic Law, there is no art from the ancient Hebrews depicting their dress and hair styles. There are a few rare depictions of Hebres by the people who conquered them. We note an Assyrian scuplture from the 8th century. This probably is a reasonable depiction for much of the millenium. Clothing changed very little and only glacially at the time. Another source of information was the Bible. There are numerous references to clothing in the Bible which generally mention garments, but few if any detailed descrition or mention of color. We know that people wore tunic and cloak (Mathew 5:40). Probably at home people wore only the tunic. When they went out put on the belt and the sandals and, if necessary, the cloak: "Put on your belt and your sandals." He did so. Then he said to him: "Put on your cloak and follow me." (Acts 12:8). It is very probably that usually children didn't wear sandals. One popular theme that Western artists have pursued through the centuries has been biblical depictions. Magnificent and dramatic works of art, while not always realistic and are imaginary, have been created by renowned masters and are national treasures in their country of origin. Medieval artists often garbed Biblical figures in contemprary clothes. In modern times, wonderfully illustrated books depicting key moments from the biblical era for children are still popular as ever.

Hebrew Art

The ancient Hebrews are of course notable for the development of Monotheism and the religious and ethical code associated with it as expressed in the Old Testament and other religious writing. Curiously the Hebrews have not left us with artistic achievments to rival their ethical code. Many other comparable people such as the Philistines were much more sophisticated in artistic expression and craftsmanship. Curiously the word Philistine today in English means a crass person with no artistic sence. (I'm not sure if the same is true in other Western languages.) Solomon when he built the great temple, for example, had to import foreign artists and craftsmen. Herod had to do the same 1,000 years later. A factor here waa the prohibition in the Mosaic code which prohibited graven images of both God and creatures made in his likeness--man. This has proven a limiting factor not only in Judiasm, buth pn the two other religions inherited the Mosaic Code. [Johnson, p. 102.] Early Christain art was affected by it, but Christain artists evetually found a way around this prohibition, Islamic artists for the most part have not. Art historians have speculated that more is involved here than the Mosacic code, but rather the very nature of monotheism itself. A noted art historian writes, "... polytheistic relogions encouraged artistic freedom, sonce they lacked a compulsive single focus, and public and artistsalike could select which god or goddess they chose to honour. Moreocer, religion and myth, which was itself a primitive form of history, intermingled freely, so that the doings of gods and mortals were aloke the subject of art." [Johnson, p. 101.]

Conqueor Art

There are a few rare depictions of Hebres by the people who conquered them. We note an Assyrian scuplture from the 8th century. This probably is a reasonable depiction for much of the millenium. Clothing changed very little and only glacially at the time. Another source of information was the Bible.

Biblical References

There are numerous references to clothing in the Bible which generally mention garments, but few if any detailed descritions of the gsarments. There are also few references to color. There are references to clothing in both the Ild and New Testament. The nest known reference in the Old Tesament is Joseph's coat of many colors. There are also references in the New Testament descriing clothing during Jesus' tume. We know that people wore tunics and cloaks (Mathew 5:40). Probably at home people wore only the tunic. When they went out put on the belt and the sandals and, if necessary, the cloak: "Put on your belt and your sandals." He did so. Then he said to him: "Put on your cloak and follow me." (Acts 12:8). It is very probably that usually children didn't wear sandals.

Western Art

One popular theme that Western artists have pursued through the centuries has been biblical depictions. Magnificent and dramatic works of art, while not always realistic and are imaginary, have been created by renowned masters and are national treasures in their country of origin. Medieval artists often garbed Biblical figures in contemprary clothes. In modern times, wonderfully illustrated books appeared because of raid improvemnents in lithography. Thus we see many illustrations depicting key moments from the biblical era for children are still popular. The illustrations are largely imaginary as there is so little actual information on which to base the depictions.

Foireign Influences

Palestine and the Levant in general ws located along mir trade routes. Thus ancient Hebrews were exposed to many foreign influences. The time spent n Egyptian and Babylonian captivity mut have a n\major impact on fashion and clothing. We do not yet know just how this masy have affected Hebrew clothing.

Children's Clothing

Very little information available on what Hebrew adults wore. When it comes to children, there is virtually no defiunitive information asvaiable on what Hebnrew children wore. Other than Joseph's coat, we know of no specific Biblical references to children's clothing. We can, however, make some assumptions based on prevalent trends in ancient socities. Children generally wore clothing similar to the clothes worn by their parents. There may be some specific childhood garments, hair styles, or jewelry, but for the most part there were specifically childhood styles. Clothing was expensive at the time. Neasured as a share of income, mut more expensice than in modern times. Thus children climate permitting were more simply dressed than their parents. Younger children, especilly peasant childen probably commonly wnt naked in warm weaher. This masy have been more common for boys thn girls. Children wearing clothes probably wore tunics. I do noit know if younger boys and girls dressed differently. It is unlikely that most clidren had cloaks as they would have been expensive. I am not suyre about winter clothes. Children also commonly went brefoot considering the relatively high-cost of sandals which had leather soles.

Children Hair Styles