The term "shoe-latchet" refers to a strap or thong used to fasten a sandal or shoe. In biblical times, footwear typically consisted of simple sandals secured to the foot with leather thongs or straps. The shoe-latchet, therefore, was an essential component of everyday attire in the ancient Near East.

Biblical References:

The shoe-latchet is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, often symbolizing humility, servitude, or the relinquishing of rights. One notable reference is found in Genesis 14:23, where Abram, after rescuing Lot and defeating the kings, refuses to take any goods from the king of Sodom. He declares, "I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’" . Here, the shoe-latchet represents Abram's commitment to relying solely on God's provision rather than human wealth or reward.

Another significant mention is in the New Testament, where John the Baptist uses the imagery of a shoe-latchet to express his unworthiness in comparison to Jesus Christ. In Mark 1:7, John proclaims, "After me will come one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie." . This statement underscores John's recognition of Jesus' divine authority and his own role as a humble forerunner.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance:

In the cultural context of the Bible, untying or carrying another person's sandals was considered a task for the lowest servants. Thus, the act of handling a shoe-latchet was emblematic of servitude and humility. This cultural understanding amplifies the humility expressed by John the Baptist and the integrity demonstrated by Abram.

The shoe-latchet also appears in the context of legal transactions and covenants. In Ruth 4:7, the removal of a sandal signifies the transfer of property rights, as Boaz redeems the land and marries Ruth. The passage states, "Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel." . Here, the shoe-latchet serves as a tangible symbol of agreement and the fulfillment of legal obligations.

Theological Implications:

The references to shoe-latchets in Scripture highlight themes of humility, servitude, and the relinquishing of personal rights in favor of divine will. Abram's refusal to accept even a sandal strap from the king of Sodom reflects a profound trust in God's provision and a rejection of worldly wealth. Similarly, John the Baptist's declaration of unworthiness to untie Jesus' sandals points to the recognition of Christ's supreme authority and the call to serve Him with humility.

In the broader biblical narrative, the shoe-latchet serves as a reminder of the believer's call to humility and service, echoing the example set by Christ Himself, who "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).SHOE; SHOE-LATCHET

shoo, shoo'-lach-et (na`al, literally, "that which is fastened," with denominative verb na`al, "to provide with shoes" (2 Chronicles 28:15 Ezekiel 16:10); hupodema (Sirach 46:19; Matthew 3:11, etc.), from the verb hupodeo (Mark 6:9 Ephesians 6:15), "to bind under," sandalion, "sandal" (Judith 10:4; 16:09; Mark 6:9 Acts 12:8); the King James Version, the Revised Version margin also have "shoe" for min`al, "bar" (so the Revised Version (British and American) text) in Deuteronomy 33:25; the "latchet" is either serokh, "twisted thing" (Genesis 14:23 Isaiah 5:27), or himas, "leather thong" (Mark 1:7 Luke 3:16 John 1:27)): The na`al was a simple piece of leather tied on the foot with the serokh, so easy of construction that its low cost was proverbial (Amos 2:6; Amos 8:6; Sir 46:19; compare Genesis 14:23), and to be without it was a sign of extreme poverty (2 Chronicles 28:15 Isaiah 20:2). Women, however, might have ornamental sandals (Songs 7:1; Jdt 16:9), and Ezekiel names "sealskin" (16:10) as a particularly luxurious material, but the omission of sandals from the list of Isaiah 3:18-23 shows that they were not commonly made articles of great expense. The hupodema was likewise properly a sandal, but the word was also used to denote a shoe that covered the foot. The contrast between hupodema in Matthew 10:10 and sandalion in Mark 6:9 seems to show that this meaning is not unknown in the New Testament, the "shoe" being regarded as an article of luxury (compare Luke 15:22). But in Matthew 3:11 and parallel's, only the sandal can be meant.

Sandals were not worn indoors, so that putting them on was a sign of readiness for activity (Exodus 12:11 Acts 12:8 Ephesians 6:15), the more wealthy having them brought (Matthew 3:11) and fastened (Mark 1:7 and parallel's) by slaves. When one entered a house they were removed; all the more, naturally, on entering a sanctuary (Exodus 3:5 Joshua 5:15 Acts 7:33). Mourners, however, did not wear them even out of doors, as a sign of grief (Ezekiel 24:17, 23), perhaps for the same reason that other duties of the toilet were neglected (2 Samuel 12:20, etc.). A single long journey wore out a pair of sandals (Joshua 9:5, 13), and the preservation of "the latchet of their shoes" from being broken (Isaiah 5:27) would require almost miraculous help.

Ruth 4:7 states as a "custom in former times in Israel," that when any bargain was closed "a man drew off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor." This was of course simply a special form of earnest-money, used in all transactions. In Deuteronomy 25:9 the custom appears in a different light. If a man refused to perform his duty to his deceased brother's wife, the elders of the city were to remove his shoe and disgrace him publicly, "And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed." The removal of the shoe is apparently connected with the rite in Ruth 4:7 as a renunciation of the man's privilege. But the general custom seems to have become obsolete, for the removal of the shoe is now a reproach. The meaning of Psalm 60:8 parallel 108:9, "Upon (margin "unto") Edom will I cast my shoe," is uncertain. `al, may mean either "upon" or "unto." If the former, some (otherwise unsubstantiated) custom of asserting ownership of land may be meant. If the latter, the meaning is "Edom I will treat as a slave," to whom the shoes are cast on entering a house.

Burton Scott Easton

5275. naal -- a sandal, shoe
... Word Origin from naal Definition a sandal, shoe NASB Word Usage dry-shod (1), sandal
(7), sandals (9), shoe (2), shoes (3). dryshod, shoe latchet,. ...
/hebrew/5275.htm - 6k

8288. serok -- (sandal) thong
... shoe latchet. From sarak; a thong (as laced or tied) -- ((shoe-)) latchet. see
HEBREW sarak. 8287, 8288. serok. 8289 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8288.htm - 6k

How the Baptist Answers the Question of the Pharisees and Exalts ...
... Sixth Book. 15. How the Baptist Answers the Question of the Pharisees and Exalts
the Nature of Christ. Of the Shoe-Latchet Which He is Unable to Untie. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/15 how the baptist answers.htm

Concerning the Words Ascribed to John by all the Four Evangelists ...
... in the actual matter of fact, when in the one case the "bearing of the shoe" is
mentioned, and in the other the "unloosing of the shoe's latchet." Quite fairly ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter xii concerning the words ascribed.htm

Jesus and his Forerunner.
... I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; he it
is, who coming after me is preferred be fore me, whose shoe's latchet I am not ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter iii jesus and his.htm

John Chapter i. 19-33
... "He it is who cometh after me, who is made before me" (that is, as we have already
said, is "preferred before me"), whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate iv john chapter i.htm

John i. 19
... he, "baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He
it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xvi john i 19.htm

Faith Rewarded.
... voice of John the Baptist had been ringing through the land, proclaiming to the
people that a Prophet would soon make His appearance, whose shoe latchet he was ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter iv faith rewarded.htm

Petty Dishonesty.
... I will not take from a thread even to a shoe-latchet, and I will not take any thing
that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abraham rich." Now ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlvi petty dishonesty.htm

The Voice in the Wilderness.
... day he said,. "There standeth One among you whom ye know not, whose shoe's
latchet I am not worthy to unloose.". After this Jesus ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter vi the voice in.htm

John Chapter iii. 22-29
... Now this greatness gives us much to understand: whose shoe-latchet he was not worthy
to loose, he than whom none greater had arisen among them that are born of ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xiii john chapter iii.htm

The Fourth Gospel Speaks of Only one Shoe, the Others of Both. The ...
... another; and hence he alludes enigmatically to that doubt which was afterwards cleared
up to us, and says, "I am not worthy to untie His shoe-latchet." If any ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/21 the fourth gospel speaks.htm

Shoelatchet (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHOE; SHOE-LATCHET. shoo ... Burton Scott Easton.
Multi-Version Concordance Shoelatchet (1 Occurrence). Genesis ...
/s/shoelatchet.htm - 12k

Shoe-latchet (1 Occurrence)
Shoe-latchet. Shoelatchet, Shoe-latchet. Shoes . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SHOE; SHOE-LATCHET. ... Shoelatchet, Shoe-latchet. Shoes . Reference Bible
/s/shoe-latchet.htm - 12k

Shoe (13 Occurrences)
... SHOE; SHOE-LATCHET. ... Genesis 14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a
shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou ...
/s/shoe.htm - 18k

Latchet (4 Occurrences)
... The stooping to untie the dusty shoe-latchet was esteemed by Orientals a service
that was at once petty and defiling, and was usually assigned to menials. ...
/l/latchet.htm - 8k

Shoes (32 Occurrences)

/s/shoes.htm - 16k

Unloose (4 Occurrences)
... John 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's
latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/u/unloose.htm - 7k

Aught (52 Occurrences)
... Genesis 14:23 that I will not take a thread nor a shoe-latchet nor aught that is
thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: (ASV JPS). ...
/a/aught.htm - 22k

Shouldest (79 Occurrences)
... Genesis 14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that
I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made ...
/s/shouldest.htm - 30k

Sandal (14 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SANDAL. san'-dal. See DRESS sec. 6; SHOE;
SHOE-LATCHET. Multi-Version Concordance Sandal (14 Occurrences). ...
/s/sandal.htm - 11k

Shoe's (1 Occurrence)
... Shoe's (1 Occurrence). John 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before
me, whose shoe'slatchet I am not worthy to unloose. (KJV). ...
/s/shoe's.htm - 6k

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