Lexical Summary maziyach: Belt, Girdle Original Word: מָזִיחַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance girdle, strength Or mezach {may-zakh'}; from zachach; a belt (as movable) -- girdle, strength. see HEBREW zachach Brown-Driver-Briggs מֵ֫זַח noun masculine girdle (according to Bondi11 WMMAs.u.Eur.104 loan-word from Egypt mdµ, compare LagGGN 1889, 310); — absolute ׳מ: — in simile of curse enfolding the wicked Psalm 109:19 ("" בֶּגֶד); figurative = restraint Isaiah 23:10 (but text dubious). [מְזִיחַ] noun masculine id. (of like origin): — only construct אֲפִיקִים רִמָּה ׳מ Job 12:21 loosen the girdle of mighty; i.e. weaken them, make them defenceless, by ungirding. מַזְכִּיר see זכר. hiphil Topical Lexicon Root idea and background מָזִיחַ denotes the band, girdle, or fastening that secures clothing or armor. In daily life it gathered the outer robe for work or battle; in metaphor it represents strength held together, defenses firmly in place, or—when loosened—power stripped away. Old Testament occurrences 1. Job 12:21 – “He pours contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty.” Here מָזִיחַ pictures the belt of a warrior. The Lord unbinds it, showing that human power is easily loosed by divine decree. Job’s wider argument (12:13-25) magnifies God’s sovereignty over every social rank; the fallen belt dramatizes the humiliation of proud rulers. 2. Psalm 109:19 – “May it be like a garment he wraps around him, like a belt he wears forever.” The imprecation calls for the enemy’s own curses to cling to him continually. Just as a belt is worn tight and constant, so guilt will bind him. The verse turns the normal symbol of strength into a permanent badge of condemnation, underscoring the moral certainty of God’s justice. 3. Isaiah 23:10 – “Cultivate your land like the Nile, O Daughter of Tarshish; there is no longer a harbor.” Most translations render מָזִיחַ here as “band” or “belt” of restraint. With Tyre’s maritime empire broken, Tarshish has lost the protective girdle that secured her trade. The loosened belt means commercial defenses have collapsed; she must now fend for herself on land. Cultural and historical context In the Ancient Near East robes were long and flowing. A sturdy strap at the waist enabled movement, symbolizing readiness (1 Kings 18:46) and marking social status (2 Kings 1:8). Military belts, often leather with metal studs, held weapons and breastplates together. To unfasten an opponent’s girdle was to render him powerless. Theological themes • Divine sovereignty over human might – God “disarms the mighty” (Job 12:21), proving that strength is a gift on loan, not an entitlement. Practical ministry application 1. Dependence on God’s strength – leaders and congregations must remember that the Lord fastens or loosens the belts of influence. Typological and New Testament echoes Jeremiah’s sign-act with the ruined linen sash (Jeremiah 13:1-11) foreshadows Israel’s exile for refusing to cling to the Lord. In the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) the girdle metaphor matures: what human belts could only symbolize, the gospel establishes in reality. Jesus Christ, whose righteousness never slackens, secures His people forever, reversing the shame of Job’s nobles and the curse of Psalm 109. Summary מָזִיחַ threads through Scripture as a small but vivid emblem: when fastened, it conveys readiness, order, and strength; when undone, it signals disgrace, judgment, and vulnerability. In earthly history the Lord loosens human belts to humble pride, yet in redemptive history He provides an unfailing Belt—truth in Christ—that none can sever. Forms and Transliterations וּ֝לְמֵ֗זַח וּמְזִ֖יחַ ולמזח ומזיח מֵ֥זַח מזח mê·zaḥ Mezach mêzaḥ ū·lə·mê·zaḥ ū·mə·zî·aḥ uleMezach ūləmêzaḥ umeZiach ūməzîaḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 12:21 HEB: עַל־ נְדִיבִ֑ים וּמְזִ֖יחַ אֲפִיקִ֣ים רִפָּֽה׃ NAS: And loosens the belt of the strong. KJV: and weakeneth the strength of the mighty. INT: on nobles the belt of the strong and loosens Psalm 109:19 Isaiah 23:10 3 Occurrences |
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