Girding
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Topical Encyclopedia
Girding, in biblical terms, refers to the act of fastening or securing garments with a belt or sash, often in preparation for action or service. This practice is frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing readiness, strength, and commitment. The concept of girding is both literal and metaphorical, appearing in various contexts throughout Scripture.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, girding is often associated with preparation for battle or labor. For instance, in 1 Kings 18:46, we read, "The hand of the LORD came upon Elijah, and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel." Here, girding up the loins signifies readiness and divine empowerment for swift action.

The priests in the Tabernacle and Temple also wore girdles as part of their sacred garments, as described in Exodus 28:4: "These are the garments they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash." The girdle or sash was an essential part of the priestly attire, symbolizing their consecration and readiness to serve God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, girding takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus uses the imagery of girding in His teachings. In Luke 12:35-36, He instructs His disciples, "Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once." The phrase "dressed for service" is a call to spiritual vigilance and preparedness for the Lord's return.

The Apostle Paul also employs the metaphor of girding in Ephesians 6:14, where he writes, "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place." Here, the "belt of truth" is part of the full armor of God, signifying the importance of truth in the believer's spiritual defense.

Symbolism and Application

Girding symbolizes readiness and commitment, whether for physical action, spiritual service, or moral integrity. It reflects a state of preparedness and dedication to fulfilling one's duties, whether in daily life or in the service of God. The act of girding oneself is a reminder of the need for vigilance, discipline, and the readiness to respond to God's call.

In a broader sense, girding can also represent the strength and support that comes from God. Psalm 18:32 declares, "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." The imagery of being girded with strength underscores the divine empowerment that enables believers to overcome challenges and fulfill their God-given purposes.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In ancient Near Eastern culture, girding was a practical necessity due to the long, flowing garments typically worn. By gathering up these garments and securing them with a belt, individuals could move more freely and efficiently, whether for work, travel, or combat. This cultural practice provides a vivid backdrop for the biblical use of girding as a metaphor for readiness and action.

Overall, the concept of girding in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the need for spiritual preparedness, moral integrity, and reliance on God's strength in the life of a believer.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Gird.

2. (n.) That with which one is girded; a girdle.

Greek
328. anazonnumi -- to gird up
... an-ad-zone'-noo-mee) Short Definition: I gird up, brace up Definition: I gird up,
brace up (with a view to active exertion); a metaphor from the girding of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/328.htm - 7k

4612. simikinthion -- (a workman's) apron
... apron. Of Latin origin; a semicinctium or half-girding, ie Narrow covering (apron) --
apron. (simikinthia) -- 1 Occurrence. 4611, 4612. simikinthion. 4613 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4612.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
4228. machagoreth -- girding, cincture
... 4227, 4228. machagoreth. 4229 . girding, cincture. Transliteration: machagoreth
Phonetic Spelling: (makh-ag-o'-reth) Short Definition: donning. ... girding. ...
/hebrew/4228.htm - 6k

642. aphuddah -- an ephod
... ephod, ornament. Feminine of 'ephowd; a girding on (of the ephod); hence, generally,
a plating (of metal) -- ephod, ornament. see HEBREW 'ephowd. 641, 642. ...
/hebrew/642.htm - 6k

Library

Psalm XCIII.
... 3. Perhaps we should enquire respecting this word also, why he said, "He is girded."
Girding signifieth work: for every man then girdeth himself, when he is ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xciii.htm

Youth and Age, and the Command for Both
... The act of girding implies preparation for action, and may be widened out to express
that most blessed prerogative of youth, the cherishing of bright ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/youth and age and the.htm

Statement of the Reasons Wherefore the Matters, Treated of Shortly ...
... Footnotes: [2097] Lat. "In procinctu," which is primarily a military phrase, procinctus
meaning "girding up" or "girdle," the expression having reference to ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter i statement of the.htm

The Servant-Lord
... First, the girding, assuming the servant's attire; then the leading of the guests,
wondering and silent, to the couches where they can recline; then the coming ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the servant-lord.htm

Conclusion.
... Peter, springing up in the boat, and snatching his fisher's coat, and girding it
round him, and dashing into the water, seemed to Jesus a picture of impetuous ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxvi conclusion.htm

The Equipment of the Servants
... The girding up of the loins is not only the symbol of concentration and detachment,
but of that for which the concentration and the detachment are needful"viz ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the equipment of the servants.htm

Hope Perfectly
... of my text, that, accurately translated, the two exhortations which precede that
to hope are subsidiary to it, for we ought to read, 'Wherefore, girding up the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/hope perfectly.htm

The Greek Theogony Exposed.
... What seemliness is there in a woman's girding herself with armour, or in a man's
decorating himself with cymbals, and garlands, and female attire, and ...
/.../justins discourse to the greeks/chapter ii the greek theogony exposed.htm

God Has Everything to do with Prayer
... Savior. He needs no decoration to heighten His beauty, no prop to increase
His stability, no girding to perfect His strength. Who ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/iv god has everything to.htm

An Exhortation to virtue.
... Chapter II."An exhortation to virtue. "Wherefore, girding up your loins," [344]
"serve the Lord in fear" [345] and truth, as those who have forsaken the vain ...
/.../chapter ii an exhortation to virtue.htm

Thesaurus
Girding (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Gird. 2. (n.) That with which
one is girded; a girdle. Multi-Version Concordance Girding (8 Occurrences). ...
/g/girding.htm - 9k

Under-girding (1 Occurrence)
Under-girding. Undergirding, Under-girding. Undergo . Multi-Version
Concordance Under-girding (1 Occurrence). Acts 27 ...
/u/under-girding.htm - 6k

Girdle (44 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 3:21 and all Moab have heard that the kings have come up to fight against
them, and they are called together, from every one girding on a girdle and ...
/g/girdle.htm - 24k

Girdeth (11 Occurrences)

/g/girdeth.htm - 9k

Kindling (4 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 50:11 Lo, all ye kindling a fire, girding on sparks, Walk ye in the light
of your fire, And in the sparks ye have caused to burn, From my hand hath this ...
/k/kindling.htm - 7k

Nob (6 Occurrences)
... After being supplied with the sacred loaves of showbread, and girding on the sword
of Goliath, which was brought forth from behind the ephod, David fled from ...
/n/nob.htm - 12k

Undergirding
Undergirding. Undergird, Undergirding. Under-girding . Int. ... See SHIPS AND BOATS,
III, 2. Undergird, Undergirding. Under-girding . Reference Bible.
/u/undergirding.htm - 6k

Offensive (15 Occurrences)
... smell there shall be an offensive odor; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead
of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth ...
/o/offensive.htm - 11k

Loosing (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 20:11 And the king of Israel answereth and saith, 'Speak ye: let not him
who is girding on boast himself as him who is loosing 'his armour'.' (YLT). ...
/l/loosing.htm - 8k

Lamentation (45 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 22:12 And in that day did the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, call to weeping, and
to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: (See JPS YLT). ...
/l/lamentation.htm - 21k

Resources
Girding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Girding (8 Occurrences)

John 21:18
verily, verily, I say to thee, When thou wast younger, thou wast girding thyself and wast walking whither thou didst will, but when thou mayest be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another will gird thee, and shall carry 'thee' whither thou dost not will;'
(YLT)

1 Peter 1:13
Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
(ASV)

1 Kings 20:11
And the king of Israel answereth and saith, 'Speak ye: let not him who is girding on boast himself as him who is loosing 'his armour'.'
(YLT)

2 Kings 3:21
and all Moab have heard that the kings have come up to fight against them, and they are called together, from every one girding on a girdle and upward, and they stand by the border.
(YLT)

Psalms 18:32
God! who is girding me 'with' strength, And He maketh perfect my way.
(YLT)

Isaiah 3:24
It shall happen that instead of sweet spices, there shall be rottenness; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well set hair, baldness; instead of a robe, a girding of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Isaiah 22:12
And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Isaiah 50:11
Lo, all ye kindling a fire, girding on sparks, Walk ye in the light of your fire, And in the sparks ye have caused to burn, From my hand hath this been to you, In grief ye lie down!
(YLT)

Subtopics

Girding

Related Terms

Curious (18 Occurrences)

Gird (44 Occurrences)

Vest (11 Occurrences)

Tunic (24 Occurrences)

Perath (4 Occurrences)

Bag (52 Occurrences)

Loins (72 Occurrences)

Girded (48 Occurrences)

Girding (8 Occurrences)

Byssus (40 Occurrences)

Girdeth (11 Occurrences)

Girt (13 Occurrences)

Embroidered (26 Occurrences)

Miter (9 Occurrences)

Breast-plate (22 Occurrences)

Ephod (45 Occurrences)

Mitre (10 Occurrences)

Upper (99 Occurrences)

Loosed (41 Occurrences)

Arms (166 Occurrences)

Armor (53 Occurrences)

Needlework (23 Occurrences)

Needle-work (7 Occurrences)

Owneth (2 Occurrences)

Leathern (2 Occurrences)

Grow (139 Occurrences)

Grown (77 Occurrences)

Whereas (55 Occurrences)

Weaver (11 Occurrences)

Whichever (8 Occurrences)

Inkhorn (4 Occurrences)

Therewith (53 Occurrences)

Ribbon (7 Occurrences)

Reins (15 Occurrences)

Embroidery (12 Occurrences)

Muck (2 Occurrences)

Procured (13 Occurrences)

Binding (23 Occurrences)

Belt (32 Occurrences)

Broidered (9 Occurrences)

Chose (59 Occurrences)

Colours (20 Occurrences)

Checkered (2 Occurrences)

Chequer (3 Occurrences)

Ama'sa (12 Occurrences)

Apron (1 Occurrence)

Apparel (38 Occurrences)

Cloak (73 Occurrences)

Bind (68 Occurrences)

Dress (38 Occurrences)

Dig (24 Occurrences)

Sandals (30 Occurrences)

Digged (37 Occurrences)

Spoiled (69 Occurrences)

Field (390 Occurrences)

Leather (34 Occurrences)

Girdles (13 Occurrences)

Bark (4 Occurrences)

Wish (141 Occurrences)

Agriculture

Garment (143 Occurrences)

Bound (175 Occurrences)

Skin (115 Occurrences)

Coat (54 Occurrences)

Solemn (100 Occurrences)

Round (664 Occurrences)

Raiment (75 Occurrences)

Ghost (123 Occurrences)

Rent (76 Occurrences)

Quiver (9 Occurrences)

Nourishment (14 Occurrences)

Uprightness (46 Occurrences)

Offensive (15 Occurrences)

Ornament (23 Occurrences)

Joining (43 Occurrences)

Joab's (13 Occurrences)

Lamp-stands (5 Occurrences)

Lasting (40 Occurrences)

Girdeth
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