2438. himas

Lexicon

himas: Strap, thong, belt

Original Word: ἱμάς
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: himas
Pronunciation: hee-MAHS
Phonetic Spelling: (hee-mas')
Definition: Strap, thong, belt
Meaning: a thong, strap, (a) for binding a man who is to be flogged, (b) for fastening a sandal or shoe.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

a thong, strap

Perhaps from the same as hama; a strap, i.e. (specially) the tie (of a sandal) or the lash (of a scourge) -- latchet, thong.

see GREEK hama

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
a thong, strap
NASB Translation
thong (3), thongs (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2438: ἱμάς

ἱμάς, ἱμαντος, ὁ (from ἵημι to send; namely, a vessel, which was tied to thongs of leather and let down into a well for the purpose of drawing water; hence, ἱμάω also, to draw something made fast to a thong or rope (recent etymol. connect it with Skt. si to bind; cf. Curtius, § 602; Vanicek, p. 1041)); from Homer down; a thong of leather, a strap; in the N. T. of the thongs with which captives or criminals were either bound or beaten (see προτείνω), Acts 22:25 (4 Macc. 9:11; Sir. 30:35); of the thongs or ties by which sandals were fastened to the feet, Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16; John 1:27 (so also in Isaiah 5:27; Xenophon, anab. 4, 5, 14; Plutarch, symp. 4, 2, 3; Suidas ἱμάς. σφαιρωτήρ σανδαλιου, ζανιχιον, οἷον τό λωριον τοῦ ὑποδήματος).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb ἵημι (hiēmi), meaning "to send" or "to put."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of a strap or thong in the Hebrew Bible is often represented by the word רְצוּעָה (retsu'ah), which can refer to a strap or band. While there is no direct one-to-one correspondence between ἱμάς and a specific Hebrew word, רְצוּעָה serves a similar function in describing leather fastenings or straps in the Old Testament context.

Usage: The term ἱμάς is used in the New Testament to refer to a strap or thong, often in the context of sandals or other leather fastenings.

Context: The Greek word ἱμάς (himas) appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize humility and servitude. It is most notably used in the Gospels to describe the leather strap of a sandal. In Mark 1:7 and John 1:27, John the Baptist uses the term to express his unworthiness in comparison to Jesus, stating that he is not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of Jesus' sandals. This imagery highlights the humility of John the Baptist and the greatness of Christ.

In the cultural context of the time, sandals were fastened with leather thongs, and the task of untying them was considered a menial duty, often performed by servants. By using the term ἱμάς, the Gospel writers convey a powerful message about the nature of service and the recognition of Jesus' divine authority.

The use of ἱμάς in these passages underscores the theme of humility and the acknowledgment of Jesus' superior role in God's redemptive plan. It serves as a reminder of the appropriate posture of reverence and submission before the Messiah.

Forms and Transliterations

ιμαντα ιμάντα ἱμάντα ιμάντες ιμάντι ιμάσι ιμασιν ιμάσιν ἱμᾶσιν himanta himánta himasin himâsin imanta imasin

Englishman's Concordance

Mark 1:7 N-AMS
GRK: λῦσαι τὸν ἱμάντα τῶν ὑποδημάτων
NAS: and untie the thong of His sandals.
KJV: after me, the latchet of whose shoes
INT: to untie the strap of the sandals

Luke 3:16 N-AMS
GRK: λῦσαι τὸν ἱμάντα τῶν ὑποδημάτων
NAS: to untie the thong of His sandals;
KJV: I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes
INT: to untie the strap of the sandals

John 1:27 N-AMS
GRK: αὐτοῦ τὸν ἱμάντα τοῦ ὑποδήματος
NAS: after me, the thong of whose
KJV: whose shoe's latchet I am
INT: of him the strap of the sandal

Acts 22:25 N-DMP
GRK: αὐτὸν τοῖς ἱμᾶσιν εἶπεν πρὸς
NAS: they stretched him out with thongs, Paul
KJV: they bound him with thongs, Paul said
INT: him with the whips said to

Strong's Greek 2438
4 Occurrences

ἱμάντα — 3 Occ.
ἱμᾶσιν — 1 Occ.