The term "knotted" does not appear explicitly in the Bible; however, the concept of knots and their symbolic meanings can be inferred from various scriptural contexts. In biblical times, knots were often used in practical applications such as binding, securing, and crafting, and they carried symbolic meanings related to strength, unity, and complexity.

Symbolism and Usage

1. Binding and Security: Knots were essential in daily life for securing tents, fastening garments, and binding loads. The imagery of binding is prevalent in Scripture, often symbolizing strength and security. For example, in Ecclesiastes 4:12, the strength of unity is illustrated: "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." This verse, while not mentioning knots directly, implies the strength that comes from intertwined strands, akin to a knotted cord.

2. Unity and Covenant: The concept of being "knotted" together can also symbolize unity and covenant relationships. In 1 Samuel 18:1, the bond between David and Jonathan is described: "After David had finished speaking with Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself." The term "knit" here suggests a deep, inseparable bond, much like a knot that ties two entities together.

3. Complexity and Intricacy: Knots can also represent complexity and intricacy, reflecting the multifaceted nature of human relationships and divine mysteries. The Apostle Paul speaks to the complexity of God's wisdom in Romans 11:33: "O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!" While not directly referencing knots, the verse captures the intricate and often mysterious nature of God's plans.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, knots were part of everyday life, used in various trades and crafts. The art of tying knots was essential for fishermen, shepherds, and tentmakers. The Apostle Paul, known for his tentmaking, would have been familiar with the practical use of knots in his trade (Acts 18:3).

Spiritual Implications

The spiritual implications of knots can be seen in the binding nature of vows and oaths. In Numbers 30:2, the importance of keeping one's word is emphasized: "When a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised." The binding nature of a vow is akin to a knot that ties one's commitment to God.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly mention "knotted," the concept is woven throughout Scripture in themes of binding, unity, and complexity. These themes reflect the practical and symbolic significance of knots in biblical times, offering insights into the strength of relationships, the intricacy of divine wisdom, and the importance of commitment and covenant.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Knot.

2. (a.) Full of knots; having knots knurled; as, a knotted cord; the knotted oak.

3. (a.) Interwoven; matted; entangled.

4. (a.) Having intersecting lines or figures.

5. (a.) Characterized by small, detached points, chiefly composed of mica, less decomposable than the mass of the rock, and forming knots in relief on the weathered surface; as, knotted rocks.

6. (a.) Entangled; puzzling; knotty.

6137. aqrab -- scorpion
... scorpion. Of uncertain derivation; a scorpion; figuratively, a scourge or knotted
whip -- scorpion. 6136b, 6137. aqrab. 6138 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6137.htm - 6k

Introduction.
... And I believe that this will at length result in the unravelling for us of what
must now, more or less, appear to every man the knotted and twisted coil of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/miracles of our lord/i introduction.htm

The Lone Man who Went Before
... And, in time, as men put their hand in His, they came to feel the little knotted
place in the palm of that outstretched hand, and the feel of it went strangely ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/the lone man who went.htm

Of all the Parts of the Body.
... God therefore connected and bound together the parts which strengthen [1845] the
body, which we call bones, being knotted and joined to one another by sinews ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap vii of all the parts.htm

The Story of a Divine Tragedy
... green meadows of Achaia. Her golden hair was knotted on the back of her
pretty head and held in place by an ampyx. On her feet were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter x the story of.htm

The Fulfilment
... from hardware booths and from armories; anything that one man or a body of men could
wield; torches and kettles of tar; chains and ropes; knotted whips, and ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xxiii the fulfilment.htm

Diamond Said Nothing to his Mother About his Adventures. ...
... The boy atop felt not a little tremulous as the great muscles that lifted the legs
of the horse knotted and relaxed against his legs, and he cowered towards ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 5 diamond said nothing.htm

Expatriation
... up. The foremost man spoke to another, tossed the knotted bridles to him
and, dismounting, came through the copse to the Arab. There ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlii expatriation.htm

Tapestry Threads.
... render, with their palm branches and garment-strewn roads, and spontaneous outburst
of joyous song.[56] And now as John put his bit of a knotted summary on the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/tapestry threads.htm

Of Faith
... soever he be, despair, so long as he liveth, of the infinite mercy of God; inasmuch
as there is not a tree in the world so twisted and knotted and gnarled but ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter ii of faith.htm

A Farther Quotation from virgilius Maro Respecting Christ, with ...
... Far otherwise has it been during the corrupt and lawless period of human
life. The knotted oaks shall showers of honey weep. [3475]. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xx a farther quotation from.htm

Knotted (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Knot. 2. (a.) Full of knots; having knots knurled; as, a knotted
cord; the knotted oak. ... Multi-Version Concordance Knotted (3 Occurrences). ...
/k/knotted.htm - 7k

Bow-cords (2 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:7 And Samson said to her, If seven new bow-cords which have never been
made dry are knotted round me, I will become feeble and will be like any other ...
/b/bow-cords.htm - 6k

Writing (194 Occurrences)
... of Egypt and Mexico, the Chinese characters, stenographic systems, the Morse code,
the Braille system, the abacus, the notched stick, the knotted cord, wampum ...
/w/writing.htm - 70k

Dry (217 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:7 And Samson said to her, If seven new bow-cords which have never been
made dry are knotted round me, I will become feeble and will be like any other ...
/d/dry.htm - 37k

Knotting (3 Occurrences)

/k/knotting.htm - 7k

Knots (2 Occurrences)

/k/knots.htm - 7k

Network (19 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A coalition of various organizations; a fabric of threads, cords, or wires
crossing at certain intervals, and knotted or secured at the crossings, thus ...
/n/network.htm - 14k

Untie (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To loosen, as something interlaced or
knotted; to disengage the parts of; as, to untie a knot. ...
/u/untie.htm - 9k

Loop
... A knotted "eye" of cord, corresponding to the "taches" or knobs in the edges of
the curtains of the tabernacle, for joining them into a continuous circuit ...
/l/loop.htm - 7k

Tightly (14 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:8 So the chiefs of the Philistines gave her seven new bow-cords which
had never been made dry, and she had them tightly knotted round him. (BBE). ...
/t/tightly.htm - 10k

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