Breeches
Breeches
is the uniform rendering in the Auth. Vers. solely of the Heb. מַכנסִיַם, miknesa'yim, two drawers (from כָּנִס, to wrap up), Sept. περισκελῆ (so Ecclus. 45:8) or περισκελές, Vulg. feminalia, made of linen, and worn by the Jewish priests to hide the parts of shame while ministering at the altar (Ex 28:42; Ex 39:28; Le 6:10; Le 16:4; Eze 44:18). The description of Josephus (ὡσπερεί ἀναξυρίδες, Ant. 3:7, 1) agrees with this, making this article (which he Graecizes μαναχασή) of sacerdotal dress to be an under-garment for the loins and thighs only. See Braun, De Vestitu Sacerd. Eebr. lib. ii, ch. i, p. 345 sq. SEE PRIEST; SEE ATTIRE.
