Exodus 39:23 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend. As the hole of a habergeon - The habergeon or hauberk was a small coat of mail, something in form of a half shirt, made of small iron rings curiously united together. It covered the neck and breast, was very light, and resisted the stroke of a sword. Sometimes it went over the whole head as well as over the breast. This kind of defensive armor was used among the Asiatics, particularly the ancient Persians, among whom it is still worn. It seems to have been borrowed from the Asiatics by the Norman crusaders.