e to corruption; it was entirely crusted over with a golden
plate. Its breadth on each side was a cubit, but the altitude double.
Upon it was a grate of gold, that was extant above the altar, which had
a golden crown encompassing it round about, whereto belonged rings and
bars, by which the priests carried it when they journeyed. Before this
tabernacle there was reared a brazen altar, but it was within made of
wood, five cubits by measure on each side, but its height was but three,
in like manner adorned with brass plates as bright as gold. It had also
a brazen hearth of network; for the ground underneath received the fire
from the hearth, because it had no basis to receive it. Hard by this
altar lay the basins, and the vials, and the censers, and the caldrons,
made of gold; but the other vessels, made for the use of the sacrifices,
were all of brass. And such was the construction of the tabernacle; and
these were the vessels thereto belonging.

CHAPTER 7. Concerning The Garments Of The Priests, And Of The High
Priest.

1. There were peculiar garments appointed for the priests, and for all
the rest, which they call Cohanoeoe [-priestly] garments, as also for
the high priests, which they call Cahanoeoe Rabbae, and denote the high
priest's garments. Such was therefore the habit of the rest. But when
the priest approaches the sacrifices, he purifies himself with the
purification which the law prescribes; and, in the first place, he puts
on that which is called Machanase, which means somewhat that is fast
tied. It is a girdle, composed of fine twined linen, and is put about
the privy parts, the feet being to be inserted into them in the nature
of breeches, but above half of it is cut off, and it ends at the thighs,
and is there tied fast.

2. Over this he wore a linen vestment, made of fine flax doubled: it
is called Chethone, and denotes linen, for we call linen by the name of
Chethone. This vestment reaches down to the feet, and sits close to the
body; and has sleeves that are tied fast to the arms: it is girded to
the breast a little above the elbows, by a girdle often going round,
four fingers broad, but so loosely woven, that you would think it were
the skin of a serpent. It is embroidered with flowers of scarlet, and
purple, and blue, and fine twined linen, but the warp was nothing but
fine linen. The beginning of its circumvolution is at the breast; and
when it has gone often round, it is there tied, and ha