The term "girt" is an archaic English word that appears in various translations of the Bible, including the Berean Standard Bible . It is derived from the verb "gird," which means to encircle or bind with a belt or band. In biblical contexts, "girt" often refers to the act of fastening one's garments securely, typically in preparation for action, travel, or battle. This concept carries both literal and metaphorical significance throughout Scripture.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the act of girding one's loins is frequently associated with readiness and strength. For instance, in 1 Kings 18:46 , we read about the prophet Elijah: "The hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel." Here, Elijah's action of girding up his loins signifies his preparedness and divine empowerment to accomplish a task with swiftness and determination.

The imagery of being girt is also used in the context of divine strength and protection. In Psalm 18:32 , David declares, "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way clear." The concept of being armed or girt with strength underscores the idea that God equips His people for the challenges they face.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the metaphorical use of "girt" continues, particularly in the context of spiritual readiness and moral integrity. Ephesians 6:14 instructs believers to "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed." The "belt of truth" is a key component of the full armor of God, symbolizing the importance of truthfulness and integrity in the life of a Christian. Being girt with truth implies a state of preparedness to stand against spiritual deception and falsehood.

Additionally, in 1 Peter 1:13 , believers are exhorted, "Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." The phrase "prepare your minds for action" is a call to gird up the loins of one's mind, emphasizing mental and spiritual readiness for the return of Christ.

Symbolism and Application

The concept of being girt carries rich symbolism in the biblical narrative. It signifies readiness, strength, and the preparedness to act in accordance with God's will. For the ancient Israelites, girding one's loins was a practical necessity for travel or labor, but it also became a powerful metaphor for spiritual vigilance and moral fortitude.

In the life of a believer, being girt with truth and righteousness is essential for standing firm in faith and resisting the temptations and challenges of the world. It is a call to live a life of integrity, grounded in the truth of God's Word, and to be ever ready for the spiritual battles that may arise.

The imagery of being girt also points to the believer's reliance on God's strength and provision. Just as God equipped Elijah and David, He continues to empower His people today, providing them with the necessary resources to fulfill their divine calling and to walk in His ways.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Gird.

2. (v.) imp. & p. p. of Gird.

3. (v.) To gird; to encircle; to invest by means of a girdle; to measure the girth of; as, to girt a tree.

4. (a.) Bound by a cable; -- used of a vessel so moored by two anchors that she swings against one of the cables by force of the current or tide.

5. (n.) Same as Girth.

232. ezor -- a waist cloth
... girdle. From 'aziqqiym; something girt; a belt, also a band -- girdle. see HEBREW
'aziqqiym. 231, 232. ezor. 233 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/232.htm - 6k

2223. zarzir -- girded
... greyhound. By reduplication from zuwr; properly, tightly girt, ie Probably a racer,
or some fleet animal (as being slender in the waist) -- + greyhound. ...
/hebrew/2223.htm - 6k

Jesus, Lord of Life Undying!
... To ascend the azure height,. Girt with an all-conquering might. ... And ascends the azure
height,. Girt with an all-conquering might. Ah, the mocking and deriding,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/i jesus lord of life.htm

A Sermon Made by M. Hugh Latimer, at the Time of the Insurrection ...
... In "truth," or "truly gird:" it may not be feigned, or falsely girt, but
in verity and truth. There be many bachelors, as yet men ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon made by m.htm

Some Miscellaneous Matters Respecting the Face of the Land.
... You see a threefold distinction of cities and towns: 1. Fortifications, or towns
girt with walls from the days of Joshua. But whence shall we know them? ...
/.../from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 98 some miscellaneous matters.htm

Of the Spiritual Girdle and Its Mystical Meaning.
... in which are contained the seeds of lust and lasciviousness, always knowing that
the command of the gospel, which says, "Let your loins be girt about," [668 ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xi of the spiritual.htm

The Equipment of the Servants
... soldier has to do the same thing. 'Stand therefore, having your loins girt
about with truth.'. The traveller, before he starts upon ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the equipment of the servants.htm

'They that were Ready'
... Remember that our Lord said once, 'Let your loins be girt,' and put that
as the necessary condition of lamps burning. 'Let your ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/they that were ready.htm

The Poets
... See the almighty Jesus crowned! Girt with omnipotence and grace. ... On His great expedition
now appeared,. Girt with omnipotence, with radiance crowned. ...
/.../the hymns of methodism in their literary relations/chapter iii the poets.htm

On Lent, I.
... "Stand, therefore," dearly-beloved, as the Apostle says, "having the loins of your
mind girt in truth, and your feet shod in the preparation of the gospel of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxxix on lent i.htm

Hope Perfectly
... Peter is evidently referring to our Lord's commandment to have 'the loins girt and
the lamps burning, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/hope perfectly.htm

The Death of the Blessed virgin Mary at Ephesus
... As he came in he girt up his long white ample garment in his girdle, then took off
this girdle and put on another one, inscribed with letters, which he drew ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xviii the death of the.htm

Girt (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (v.) imp. & pp of Gird. 3. (v.) To gird; to encircle; to invest by means of a
girdle; to measure the girth of; as, to girt a tree. ...Girt (13 Occurrences). ...
/g/girt.htm - 10k

Dog (19 Occurrences)
... alektor and gallus, ie "cock," the King James Version margin "horse." The Hebrew
has zarzir mothnayim, which the King James Version margin renders "girt in the ...
/d/dog.htm - 20k

Weapons (66 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Judges 18:11 There set forth from there of the family of the Danites, out
of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men girt with weapons of war. ...
/w/weapons.htm - 27k

Loins (72 Occurrences)
... A man whose strength is in his attachment to truth, in other words is faithful,
is spoken of as having his loins girt about with truth (Ephesians 6:14). ...
/l/loins.htm - 33k

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

Girl's (12 Occurrences)

/g/girl's.htm - 10k

Six (198 Occurrences)
... Judges 18:11 There set forth from there of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah
and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men girt with weapons of war. ...
/s/six.htm - 38k

Ephod (45 Occurrences)
... Something girt, a sacred vestment worn originally by the high priest (Exodus
28:4), afterwards by the ordinary priest (1 Samuel 22:18), and characteristic of ...
/e/ephod.htm - 27k

Dan (71 Occurrences)
... Judges 18:11 There set forth from there of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah
and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men girt with weapons of war. ...
/d/dan.htm - 41k

Zorah (10 Occurrences)
... Judges 18:11 There set forth from there of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah
and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men girt with weapons of war. ...
/z/zorah.htm - 11k

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

Girt: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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