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.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More