Ankle-chains, also known as anklets, are ornamental bands or chains worn around the ankles. In biblical times, these adornments were often associated with beauty, wealth, and social status. They are mentioned in the context of ancient Near Eastern customs and are referenced in the Bible as part of the attire of women.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 3:16-18 : The prophet Isaiah speaks against the pride and vanity of the daughters of Zion, highlighting their adornments, including ankle-chains. "The LORD also says: 'Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, walking with heads held high and wanton eyes, prancing and skipping as they go, jingling their ankle bracelets, the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare.'"

This passage illustrates the use of ankle-chains as a symbol of vanity and pride. The jingling of the ankle bracelets is depicted as part of the ostentatious display that the Lord condemns. The judgment pronounced by Isaiah serves as a warning against the excesses of materialism and the neglect of spiritual values.

2. Song of Solomon 1:10 : In the poetic and romantic language of the Song of Solomon, the beauty of the beloved is described with admiration for her adornments: "Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels."

While ankle-chains are not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the context of adornment and beauty suggests that such ornaments were part of the cultural expressions of love and admiration. The Song of Solomon celebrates the beauty and allure of the beloved, reflecting the cultural appreciation for ornamental jewelry, including ankle-chains.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel and surrounding cultures, ankle-chains were often made of precious metals such as gold or silver and could be adorned with jewels. They were worn by women as a sign of wealth and status. The jingling sound produced by the movement of these chains was considered attractive and added to the allure of the wearer.

Ankle-chains were not merely decorative; they also held cultural significance. In some cases, they were part of bridal attire, symbolizing the beauty and desirability of the bride. The use of ankle-chains in biblical times reflects the broader ancient Near Eastern customs where jewelry played a significant role in social and religious life.

Moral and Spiritual Implications:

The biblical references to ankle-chains, particularly in Isaiah, serve as a reminder of the potential for material adornments to become objects of pride and vanity. The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of inner beauty and character over outward appearances. In 1 Peter 3:3-4 , the apostle Peter advises, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight."

While ankle-chains and other forms of jewelry are not inherently wrong, the biblical narrative encourages believers to prioritize spiritual virtues over external adornments. The focus is on cultivating a heart that is pleasing to God, characterized by humility, modesty, and a gentle spirit.6807b. tseadah -- perhaps anklets
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition perhaps anklets NASB Word Usage ankle
chains (1). 6807a, 6807b. tseadah. 6808 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6807b.htm - 5kAnkle-chains (1 Occurrence)
Ankle-chains. Ankle-chain, Ankle-chains. Ankle-deep . Multi-Version
Concordance Ankle-chains (1 Occurrence). Numbers ...
/a/ankle-chains.htm - 6k

Ankle (2 Occurrences)
... ancle): From Hebrew me'aphecayim literally, "water of ankles," ie shallow water
(Ezekiel 47:3); "anklebones" (Acts 3:7) from sphudron "anklechains" (the King ...
/a/ankle.htm - 7k

Ankle-chain
Ankle-chain. Anklechain, Ankle-chain. Ankle-chains . Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia ... Anklechain, Ankle-chain. Ankle-chains . Reference Bible.
/a/ankle-chain.htm - 7k

Ornament (23 Occurrences)
... or bracelets (Genesis 24:22 2 Samuel 1:10); earrings (Genesis 35:4 Exodus 32:2);
noserings (Genesis 24:47 Ezekiel 16:12); anklets or ankle-chains (Isaiah 3:16 ...
/o/ornament.htm - 17k

Leg (24 Occurrences)
... the bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs," the Revised Version (British and American)
corrects: "the headtires (ts`adhah), and the anklechains." In the New ...
/l/leg.htm - 19k

Girdles (13 Occurrences)
... Numbers 31:50 And we have brought Jehovah's oblation, what every man hath gotten,
of jewels of gold, ankle-chains, and bracelets, signet-rings, ear-rings, and ...
/g/girdles.htm - 10k

Ear-rings (12 Occurrences)
... Numbers 31:50 And we have brought Jehovah's oblation, what every man hath gotten,
of jewels of gold, ankle-chains, and bracelets, signet-rings, ear-rings, and ...
/e/ear-rings.htm - 10k

Perfume-boxes (1 Occurrence)
... Perfume-boxes (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 3:20 the headtires, and the anklechains, and
the sashes, and the perfume-boxes, and the amulets; (ASV BBE). ...
/p/perfume-boxes.htm - 6k

Bottles (12 Occurrences)
... DBY WBS YLT). Isaiah 3:20 the headdresses, the anklechains, the sashes,
the perfume bottles, the charms, (WEB NIV). Jeremiah 48:12 ...
/b/bottles.htm - 9k

Boxes (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 3:20 the headtires, and the anklechains, and the sashes, and the
perfume-boxes, and the amulets; (ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV). ...
/b/boxes.htm - 7k

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