RAIMENT

In addition to what occurs under the article _Habits_, it may
be observed that to make presents of changes of raiment, Gen. xlv, 22,
has always been common among all ranks of orientals. The perfuming of
raiment with sweet-scented spices or extracts is also still a custom,
which explains the smell of Jacob’s raiment. A coat or robe of many
colours, such as Jacob gave to Joseph, is also a mark of distinction.
The Turks at Aleppo thus array their sons; and, in the time of Sisera, a
coat of divers colours is mentioned among the rich spoils which fell to
the conquerors. A frequent change of garments is also very common both
to show respect and to display opulence. Is there an allusion to this in
Psalm cii, 26: “As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be
changed?” If so, it conveys the magnificent idea of the almighty Creator
investing himself with the whole creation as with a robe, and having
laid that aside, by new creations, or the successive production of
beings, clothing himself with others, at his pleasure.