Topical Bible: Girdle

Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the girdle was an essential piece of clothing, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. It was a belt or sash worn around the waist, often used to secure garments and carry tools or weapons. The girdle is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, symbolizing readiness, strength, and truth.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the girdle was a common garment for both men and women. It was typically made of leather or cloth and was used to fasten the tunic, allowing for ease of movement. The girdle also served as a place to tuck in the ends of the long robe, enabling the wearer to work or travel more efficiently.

The priestly garments described in Exodus include a girdle as part of the sacred attire. In Exodus 28:4, the girdle is listed among the garments for Aaron and his sons: "These are the garments they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They shall make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests." The girdle, or sash, was intricately woven and symbolized the priest's readiness to serve God.

The girdle also appears in the context of prophecy and judgment. In Isaiah 11:5, the Messiah is described as wearing righteousness and faithfulness as a girdle: "Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist." This imagery conveys the idea of divine strength and moral integrity.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the girdle continues to symbolize preparedness and truth. In Ephesians 6:14, the Apostle Paul instructs believers to "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed." Here, the girdle represents truth, an essential part of the spiritual armor that Christians are to wear in their battle against spiritual forces.

The girdle is also mentioned in the context of John the Baptist, who is described in Matthew 3:4 as wearing a garment of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist. This attire reflects John's prophetic role and his call to repentance, reminiscent of the prophet Elijah.

Symbolic Significance

The girdle's symbolic significance extends beyond its practical use. It represents readiness for service, truth, and strength. In a spiritual sense, wearing a girdle signifies being prepared to act according to God's will and standing firm in the truth of His word. The girdle's association with truth and righteousness underscores the importance of these virtues in the life of a believer.

Throughout Scripture, the girdle serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual readiness and integrity. Whether in the context of priestly service, prophetic ministry, or spiritual warfare, the girdle remains a powerful symbol of commitment to God's purposes.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(1.) Hebrews hagor, a girdle of any kind worn by soldiers (1 Samuel 18:4; 2 Samuel 20:8; 1 Kings 2:5; 2 Kings 3:21) or women (Isaiah 3:24).

(2.) Hebrews `ezor, something "bound," worn by prophets (2 Kings 1:8; Jeremiah 13:1), soldiers (Isaiah 5:27; 2 Samuel 20:8; Ezek. 23:15), Kings (Job 12:18).

(3.) Hebrews mezah, a "band," a girdle worn by men alone (Psalm 109:19; Isaiah 22:21).

(4.) Hebrews `abnet, the girdle of sacerdotal and state officers (Exodus 28:4, 39, 40; 29:9; 39:29).

(5.) Hebrews hesheb, the "curious girdle" (Exodus 28:8; R.V., "cunningly woven band") was attached to the ephod, and was made of the same material.

The common girdle was made of leather (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4); a finer sort of linen (Jeremiah 13:1; Ezek. 16:10; Dan. 10:5). Girdles of sackcloth were worn in token of sorrow (Isaiah 3:24; 22:12). They were variously fastened to the wearer (Mark 1:6; Jeremiah 13:1; Ezek. 16:10).

The girdle was a symbol of strength and power (Job 12:18, 21; 30:11; Isaiah 22:21; 45:5). "Righteousness and faithfulness" are the girdle of the Messiah (Isaiah 11:5).

Girdles were used as purses or pockets (Matthew 10:9. A. V., "purses;" R.V., marg., "girdles." Also Mark 6:8).

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) A griddle.

2. (n.) That which girds, encircles, or encloses; a circumference; a belt; esp., a belt, sash, or article of dress encircling the body usually at the waist; a cestus.

3. (n.) The zodiac; also, the equator.

4. (n.) The line of greatest circumference of a brilliant-cut diamond, at which it is grasped by the setting.

5. (n.) A thin bed or stratum of stone.

6. (n.) The clitellus of an earthworm.

7. (v. t.) To bind with a belt or sash; to gird.

8. (v. t.) To enclose; to environ; to shut in.

9. (v. t.) To make a cut or gnaw a groove around (a tree, etc.) through the bark and alburnum, thus killing it.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

GIRDLE

gur'-d'-l.

See ARMOR; DRESS.

Greek

2223. zone -- a belt
... a belt. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: zone Phonetic Spelling:
(dzo'-nay) Short Definition: a girdle, belt, purse Definition: a girdle, belt ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2223.htm - 7k

2750. keiria -- a bandage, grave-clothes
... Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: keiria Phonetic Spelling: (ki-ree'-ah) Short
Definition: a bandage, grave clothes Definition: a kind of girdle made of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2750.htm - 6k

2224. zonnumi -- to gird
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: zonnumi Phonetic Spelling: (dzone'-noo-mi)
Short Definition: I gird Definition: I gird, put on the girdle, especially as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2224.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

73. abnet -- a girdle
... 72, 73. abnet. 74 . a girdle. Transliteration: abnet Phonetic Spelling:
(ab-nate') Short Definition: sash. ... girdle. Of uncertain derivation; a belt -- girdle ...
/hebrew/73.htm - 5k

4206. maziyach -- a girdle
... 4205, 4206. maziyach. 4206a . a girdle. Transliteration: maziyach Phonetic
Spelling: (maw-zee'-akh) Short Definition: girdle. girdle, strength ...
/hebrew/4206.htm - 5k

2290b. chagorah -- a girdle, loin covering, belt
chagorah or chagorah. 2290a, 2290b. chagorah or chagorah. 2291 . a girdle,
loin covering, belt. Transliteration: chagorah or chagorah Short Definition: belt ...
/hebrew/2290b.htm - 5k

4206a. mezach -- a girdle
... a girdle. Transliteration: mezach Short Definition: belt. Word Origin of uncertain
derivation Definition a girdle NASB Word Usage belt (1), restraint (1). ...
/hebrew/4206a.htm - 5k

4206b. meziach -- a girdle
... meziach. 4207 . a girdle. Transliteration: meziach Short Definition: belt. Word
Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a girdle NASB Word Usage belt (1). ...
/hebrew/4206b.htm - 5k

2290a. chagor -- a belt, girdle
... a belt, girdle. Transliteration: chagor or chagor Short Definition: belt. Word Origin
from chagar Definition a belt, girdle NASB Word Usage belt (2), belts (1). ...
/hebrew/2290a.htm - 5k

2290. chagowr -- a belt, girdle
... 2289, 2290. chagowr. 2290a . a belt, girdle. Transliteration: chagowr Phonetic
Spelling: (khag-ore') Short Definition: apron. apron, armor, girdle ...
/hebrew/2290.htm - 5k

232. ezor -- a waist cloth
... waistband. Word Origin from azar Definition a waist cloth NASB Word Usage
belt (3), belts (1), girdle (2), waistband (8). girdle. From ...
/hebrew/232.htm - 6k

2805. chesheb -- ingenious work
... curious girdle. From chashab; a belt or strap (as being interlaced) -- curious girdle.
see HEBREW chashab. 2804, 2805. chesheb. 2806 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2805.htm - 6k

4228. machagoreth -- girding, cincture
... Word Origin from chagar Definition girding, cincture NASB Word Usage donning (1).
girding. From chagar; a girdle -- girding. see HEBREW chagar. 4227, 4228. ...
/hebrew/4228.htm - 6k

Library

'The Girdle of Truth'
... EPHESIANS 'THE GIRDLE OF TRUTH'. 'Stand, therefore, having girded your loins
with truth.'"Ephesians 6:14 (RV). ... II. The girdle is to be truth. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the girdle of truth.htm

The Slave's Girdle
... THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER THE SLAVE'S GIRDLE. '... ... II. The second thought
here is, What we are to wear the apron or girdle for? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the slaves girdle.htm

Of the Monk's Girdle.
... Prolegomena. Chapter I. Of the Monk's Girdle. As we are going to speak
of the customs and rules of the monasteries, how by God's ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter i of the monks.htm

The Talmudic Girdle of the Land under the Second Temple, Taken Out ...
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 1-10 Chapter 2 The Talmudic Girdle of the Land
under the second Temple, taken out of the Jerusalem Sheviith, fol. 36. 3. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 2 the talmudic girdle.htm

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 21-30 Chapter 26 The Girdle of the City.
Nehemiah 3. The beginning of the circumference was from ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 26 the girdle of.htm

Of the Spiritual Girdle and Its Mystical Meaning.
... Prolegomena. Chapter XI. Of the Spiritual Girdle and its Mystical Meaning.
Clad, therefore, in these vestments, the soldier of Christ ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xi of the spiritual.htm

From the First Chapter.
... "And He was girt about the paps with a golden girdle."] His paps are the two testaments,
and the golden girdle is the choir of saints, as gold tried in the fire ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the first chapter.htm

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
... Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave,
and swear by his name."[324] By the emblem of the girdle which cleaves ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter v covenanting confers obligation.htm

Again the Council of the Covenant was in Session. ...
... By some movement of the speaker's body an end of his girdle was flung against the
hand of Vergilius. ... But none wore the girdle which Vergilius had cut in twain. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 20 again the council.htm

Paul in Jerusalem.
... And, when he was come to us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and
feet, and said, thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxv paul in jerusalem.htm

Thesaurus

Girdle (44 Occurrences)
... (1.) Hebrews hagor, a girdle of any kind worn by soldiers (1 Samuel 18:4; 2 Samuel
20:8; 1 Kings 2:5; 2 Kings 3:21) or women (Isaiah 3:24). ...
/g/girdle.htm - 24k

Curious (18 Occurrences)
... the American Standard Revised Version "skilful"; cheshebh ("device," "devised work"),
translated the King James Version "curious girdle," is translated by the ...
/c/curious.htm - 14k

Gird (44 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To encircle or bind with any flexible band. 7. (vt) To make fast,
as clothing, by binding with a cord, girdle, bandage, etc. ...
/g/gird.htm - 20k

Vest (11 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and
an ephod, and a cloak, and a checkered vest, a turban, and a girdle; and they ...
/v/vest.htm - 11k

Tunic (24 Occurrences)
... both sexes. It was made with or without sleeves, reached to or below the
knees, and was confined at the waist by a girdle. 2. (n ...
/t/tunic.htm - 13k

Perath (4 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 13:4 Take the girdle that thou hast bought, which is upon thy loins, and
arise, go to the Euphrates, and hide it there in a cleft of the rock. ...
/p/perath.htm - 7k

Bag (52 Occurrences)
... nor brass in your purses"; Mark 6:8: "No money in their purse," is a different word
entirely zone, the true rendering of which is "girdle" (Revised Version ...
/b/bag.htm - 29k

Loins (72 Occurrences)
... 13). Of God it is said that "he looseth the bond of kings, and bindeth their
loins with a girdle," ie strengthens them (Job 12:18). ...
/l/loins.htm - 33k

Girded (48 Occurrences)
... 1:13 and in the midst of the seven lamp-stands, 'one' like to a son of man, clothed
to the foot, and girt round at the breast with a golden girdle, (See NAS). ...
/g/girded.htm - 21k

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

Resources

What was the significance of the ephod? | GotQuestions.org

What are the seven candlesticks / lampstands of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

Girdle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Girdle (44 Occurrences)

Matthew 3:4
And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Mark 1:6
And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Mark 6:8
and he commanded them that they may take nothing for the way, except a staff only -- no scrip, no bread, no brass in the girdle,
(YLT)

John 21:7
This made the disciple whom Jesus loved say to Peter, "It is the Master." Simon Peter therefore, when he heard the words, "It is the Master," drew on his fisherman's shirt--for he had not been wearing it--put on his girdle, and sprang into the water.
(WEY)

John 21:18
"In most solemn truth I tell you that whereas, when you were young, you used to put on your girdle and walk whichever way you chose, when you have grown old you will stretch out your arms and some one else will put a girdle round you and carry you where you have no wish to go."
(WEY)

Acts 12:8
"Fasten your girdle," said the angel, "and tie on your sandals." He did so. Then the angel said, "Throw your cloak round you, and follow me."
(WEY)

Acts 21:11
And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Ephesians 6:14
Stand therefore, first fastening round you the girdle of truth and putting on the breastplate of uprightness
(WEY)

Revelation 1:13
And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
(KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 28:4
And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 28:8
And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Exodus 28:27
And two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Exodus 28:28
And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Exodus 28:39
And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 29:9
And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.
(Root in KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 39:5
And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Exodus 39:21
And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Exodus 39:29
And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 8:7
And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 16:4
He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Samuel 18:4
And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

2 Samuel 18:11
And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

2 Samuel 20:8
When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Kings 2:5
Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

2 Kings 1:8
And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

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)

Job 12:18
He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
(KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS)

Job 12:21
He poureth contempt upon nobles, and slackeneth the girdle of the mighty;
(DBY YLT)

Psalms 109:19
Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Proverbs 31:24
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
(Root in KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Isaiah 3:24
And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Isaiah 5:27
None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Isaiah 11:5
And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Isaiah 22:21
And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Isaiah 23:10
Pass through thy land as the Nile, O daughter of Tarshish; there is no restraint any more.
(See JPS YLT)

Isaiah 32:11
Tremble ye women, ye easy ones, Be troubled, ye confident ones, Strip and make bare, with a girdle on the loins,
(YLT)

Jeremiah 13:1
Thus saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Jeremiah 13:2
So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Jeremiah 13:4
Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Jeremiah 13:6
And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Jeremiah 13:7
Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Jeremiah 13:10
This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Jeremiah 13:11
For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Ezekiel 23:15
girded with girdles on their waists, with flowing turbans on their heads, all of them princes to look on, after the likeness of the Babylonians in Chaldea, the land of their birth.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Subtopics

Girdle

Girdle Gird

Girdle used to Bear Arms

Girdle: Embroidered

Girdle: Figurative

Girdle: Made of Leather

Girdle: Made of Linen

Girdle: Other Priests

Girdle: Symbolical

Girdle: Traffic In

Girdle: Women