David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the choir master with the singers; and David had an ephod of linen on him.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 27. Linen. Hebrew “a cloak of byssus,” or of the finest white linen. D.—Bysus has often occurred before in the Vulg. but we find the Hebrew buts, here for the first time. It probably denotes the brilliant yellow silk taken from the fish pinna, of which S. Basil speaks. Hexa. vii. Justinian was clothed with it, on account of its rarity and brightness. Procop. de fabric. Yet as it would hardly assume any colour but black, it was not so much sought after as the silk of Persia. Not only David, but all the Levites, were thus richly adorned; as the latter were at the dedication of the temple. 2 Chronicles 2:14. There was a manufactory of this byssus established by David. Calmet. 4:21. That of Egypt was white, and is called schesch, or “cotton.” Exodus 16:4. Calmet.—Ephod. Septuagint “a stole of byssus,” or a long silken robe, ( Bible.) which has been already expressed; ( Tirinus.) or rather, the ephod was only a girdle, which was not peculiar to the sacred ministers. 1 Kennicott. 2:18. Calmet.—Samuel, though a child, wore one. Worthington.