The Hebrew kut·toʹneth, a type of robe, seems to correspond to the Greek khi·tonʹ. Both terms are most widely used to refer to a tunic or shirtlike article of apparel, long- or half-sleeved, reaching to the knees or to the ankles. It was the indoor costume for family life and familiar outdoor surroundings. In some styles of the kut·toʹneth, or khi·tonʹ, the fabric may have been draped over one shoulder, leaving the other bare, and was white or of varied colors. The longer style might be slit in each side from the hem up about 30 cm (1 ft) for freedom of walking. Some were of linen but probably more often of wool, especially among the poor. This garment was also worn by both men and women, a woman’s robe likely being longer.

Kut·toʹneth is the word used for the robe of the high priest and the underpriests. (Ex 28:39, 40) The word is also used for Joseph’s long striped shirtlike garment (Ge 37:3) and for Tamar’s striped robe, which she ripped apart in grief and humiliation. (2Sa 13:18) Jesus’ inner garment (khi·tonʹ), over which the soldiers cast lots, was woven in one piece without a seam. (Joh 19:23, 24) The kut·toʹneth, or khi·tonʹ, could be worn with a sash, as in the case of the priests, or without; likely, in most cases, a sash was used.

Outer garments. The meʽilʹ, a sleeveless coat often open at the front, was worn on top of the kut·toʹneth or white linen robe of the high priest. (Le 8:7)

Varieties of weave existed. The high priest’s white linen robe was woven “in checkerwork.” (Ex 28:39) The Israelites who were not priests might wear a garment of linen and another of wool but were forbidden by God’s law to wear a garment of two sorts of thread, mixed.​—Le 19:19; De 22:11; see CLOTH; DYES, DYEING.

The priests were required to wear linen drawers (Heb., mikh·na·saʹyim) to prevent indecent exposure when they served at the altar. Pagan priests sometimes served naked, a thing disgusting to Jehovah.​—Ex 28:42, 43.

The high priest wore a woven sash over his linen robe, and when wearing the ephod, a girdle of the same material was worn to hold the back and front parts of the apronlike ephod close to the waist. (Ex 28:4, 8, 39; 39:29)