In biblical times, girdles were essential articles of clothing, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. The term "girdle" in the Bible typically refers to a belt or sash worn around the waist. These garments were used to secure clothing, carry items, and symbolize readiness, strength, and truth.

Old Testament Usage

Girdles were commonly worn by both men and women in ancient Israel. They were often made of leather or cloth and varied in design and function. In Exodus 28:4, the priestly garments include a girdle: "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 part of the sacred attire, signifying the priest's readiness and dedication to service.

In 2 Kings 1:8, Elijah is described as "a hairy man with a leather belt around his waist," indicating a simple and austere lifestyle. The girdle here is a symbol of his prophetic authority and commitment to God's mission.

Symbolism and Metaphor

Girdles also carry metaphorical significance in Scripture. In Isaiah 11:5, the Messiah is described: "Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist." Here, the girdle represents the qualities of righteousness and faithfulness, essential attributes of the coming Savior.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul uses the imagery of a girdle in Ephesians 6:14 as part of the Armor of God: "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed." The girdle of truth signifies the believer's commitment to living a life grounded in the truth of God's Word.

Practical Uses

Girdles were not only symbolic but also practical. They were used to tuck in long garments, allowing for greater freedom of movement, especially during labor or battle. In 1 Kings 18:46, we read, "The hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel." This act of girding up the loins was a preparation for swift action.

Additionally, girdles often served as a means to carry money or small items. In Matthew 10:9, Jesus instructs His disciples, "Do not carry any gold or silver or copper in your belts," indicating that girdles were used as a form of storage.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the cultural context of the Bible, girdles were an integral part of daily life. They were crafted from various materials, including linen, wool, and leather, and could be simple or ornate, depending on the wearer's status and purpose. The girdle's design and material often reflected the individual's social standing and occupation.

Overall, girdles in the Bible are rich in both practical and symbolic meaning, illustrating themes of readiness, truth, and righteousness throughout Scripture.

The Angels with the Seven vials.
... opened; and the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed
in pure white linen, and girded around the breasts with golden girdles. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the angels with the seven.htm

Of the Holy Men who Flourished About this Time in Egypt, Namely ...
... community. They were to clothe themselves in skins, and to wear woolen tiaras
adorned with purple nails, and linen tunics and girdles. ...
/.../sozomen/the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xiv of the holy men.htm

Caput xv.
... what the nakedness? what the robe? what the shining raiment? what the sacerdotal?
what the girdles? what the rods? what the spears? what the battle-axes? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput xv.htm

A Sermon Made by M. Hugh Latimer, at the Time of the Insurrection ...
... Yet some get them girdles with great knots, as though they would be surely girt,
and as though they would break the devil's head with their knotted girdles. ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon made by m.htm

The Origin and Growth of Law.
... As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk the Law runneth forward and back" For
the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study ix the origin and.htm

Commandments to Women.
... elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it to the Phoenicians,
and girdles to the Canaanites. She is clothed with ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii commandments to women.htm

A Present Religion
... If we should hear the booming of cannon on the deep which girdles this island; if
we should see at our doors the marks of carnage and bloodshed; then should we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/a present religion.htm

And First, of the Phials Generally.
... angels, having the seven last plagues, came out of the temple, clothed in linen,
pure and splendid, and girt round the breast with golden girdles;" that is ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/and first of the phials.htm

The Emperor and Empress
... the hall. They wore Sidonian war-cloaks so richly dight that there were
pearls on their girdles and emeralds in their helmets. [8 ...
/.../chapter xviii the emperor and.htm

A Glance at the Disciples of Jesus on Holy Saturday.
... After a time they stood up, spread out the bedclothes which were rolled up on the
couches, took off their sandals, girdles, and a part of their clothing, and ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lviii a glance at.htm

Girdles (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Girdles (13 Occurrences). Matthew 10:9 Provide
not gold, nor silver, nor brass in your girdles, (YLT). Luke ...
/g/girdles.htm - 10k

Bonnets (7 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:40 And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for
them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty. ...
/b/bonnets.htm - 8k

Girdle (44 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/g/girdle.htm - 24k

Girded (48 Occurrences)
... 15:6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed
in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles...
/g/girded.htm - 21k

Vests (6 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:40 And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make vests; and thou shalt make for
them girdles; and high caps shalt thou make for them, for glory and for ...
/v/vests.htm - 7k

Turbans (6 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 8:13 And Moses bringeth near the sons of Aaron, and doth clothe them
'with' coats, and girdeth them 'with' girdles, and bindeth for them turbans, as ...
/t/turbans.htm - 8k

Tunics (16 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:40 And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for
them girdles, and head-tires shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty ...
/t/tunics.htm - 10k

Dyed (10 Occurrences)
... saw men. girded with girdles upon their loins, with flowing turbans [AV
exceeding in dyed attire] upon their heads,... after the ...
/d/dyed.htm - 10k

Caps (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:40 And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make vests; and thou shalt make for
them girdles; and high caps shalt thou make for them, for glory and for ...
/c/caps.htm - 7k

Attire (11 Occurrences)
... saw men. girded with girdles upon their loins, with flowing turbans [AV
exceeding in dyed attire] upon their heads,... after the ...
/a/attire.htm - 11k

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