In biblical times, straps were commonly used for a variety of practical purposes, including fastening, carrying, and securing items. The term "strap" may not always appear explicitly in English translations of the Bible, but the concept is present in various forms, such as belts, thongs, and cords. These items were essential in daily life and often held symbolic significance.

Use in Daily Life

Straps were integral to the attire and equipment of ancient peoples. They were used to fasten clothing, such as belts that held garments in place. In 2 Kings 1:8, Elijah is described as wearing a "leather belt around his waist," which would have been a type of strap used to secure his clothing. Similarly, John the Baptist is noted for wearing a leather belt in Matthew 3:4, indicating a continuity of this practical use across the Old and New Testaments.

Symbolic Significance

Straps and similar items also carried symbolic meanings. In Isaiah 5:27, the prophet speaks of a time when "no belt will be loose," symbolizing readiness and preparedness. This imagery conveys the idea of being equipped and ready for action, both physically and spiritually.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a belt in Ephesians 6:14, where he instructs believers to "stand firm, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist." Here, the strap or belt represents truth, an essential component of the spiritual armor that Christians are called to wear.

Cultural and Religious Context

Straps were also used in religious and cultural practices. For instance, the phylacteries mentioned in Matthew 23:5 were small boxes containing Scripture passages, bound to the body with straps. These were worn by devout Jews as a sign of their commitment to God's commandments. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for making their phylacteries wide, indicating a focus on outward appearances rather than genuine devotion.

Punishment and Discipline

In some contexts, straps were associated with punishment and discipline. Proverbs 20:30 states, "Blows that wound cleanse away evil, and beatings cleanse the innermost parts." While the specific mention of a strap is not present, the concept of using a strap or similar instrument for discipline is implied. This reflects the broader biblical theme of correction and the importance of discipline in moral and spiritual development.

Conclusion

Straps, whether used for practical purposes or as symbols, played a significant role in the daily and spiritual lives of biblical characters. They served as tools for securing and carrying, as well as metaphors for readiness, truth, and discipline. Through these various uses, straps illustrate the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual realms in biblical teaching.

Acts XXII
... (25) "And as he was bending him forward with the straps [536] Paul said to the
centurion, who was standing by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxii.htm

A Description of Some Parts of Ancient Jerusalem.
... Nicodemus and Joseph placed the ladders behind the Cross, and mounted them, holding
in their hands a large sheet, to which three long straps were fastened. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xlix a description of.htm

The Bishop Elect and Consecrate
... much for the Lincoln exquisites. They cut the straps of the objectionable
bundle and impounded it. From Marlborough the cavalcade ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter iv the bishop elect.htm

The Son of the Murket
... Her sandals were mere jeweled straps of white gazelle-hide, passing under the heel
and ball of the foot. She was as daringly dressed as a lissome dancing-girl. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xvii the son of.htm

Made Known in the Breaking of Bread.
... There is that face with those unmistakable marks. And you can see their eyes quickly
searching between the sandal straps. Yes, it looks like Him. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/made known in the breaking.htm

Paul's Narrow Escape from Death
... When they had tied him up with straps, Paul said to the officer who was standing
by, "Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen without trial?" When the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/pauls narrow escape from death.htm

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
... The capsules were fastened on by black leather straps, which were wound round the
arm and hand (seven times round the former, and three times round the latter ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 13 among the people.htm

The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... had flaps over his ears. His upper garment was shorter than the under one
and had straps like a stole hanging on it. It was he who ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/iii the presentation of the.htm

Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum.
... stood, but evidently an opening was made in the flat roof above him, and the man
was lowered to the floor in front of Jesus by means of short straps or pieces ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxv jesus heals a paralytic.htm

The Falsity of the General Opinion Respecting Fate is Proved by ...
... The former is the modern, self-energized, "lift-yourselves-by-your-own-boot-straps"
evolution. The latter is a form of agnosticism. Aristotle (Metaph. 10. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter vi the falsity of the.htm

Straps (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Straps (10 Occurrences). ... Exodus 28:7 It shall have two
shoulder straps joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together. ...
/s/straps.htm - 9k

Attached (31 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Exodus 28:7 It shall have two shoulder straps joined to the two
ends of it, that it may be joined together. (See RSV NIV). ...
/a/attached.htm - 15k

Shoulder (72 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 28:7 It shall have two
shoulder straps joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together. ...
/s/shoulder.htm - 37k

Ephod (45 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:12 You shall put the two stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to
be stones of memorial for the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their ...
/e/ephod.htm - 27k

Ends (108 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 28:7 It shall have two shoulder
straps joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together. ...
/e/ends.htm - 36k

Attaching (3 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:25 The other two ends of the two braided chains you shall put on the two
settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in its forepart. ...
/a/attaching.htm - 7k

Shoulder-piece
... shol'-der-pes (katheph): The word designates the two straps or pieces of cloth which
passed from the back of the ephod (see EPHOD) of the high priest over the ...
/s/shoulder-piece.htm - 7k

Shoulderpiece
... shol'-der-pes (katheph): The word designates the two straps or pieces of cloth which
passed from the back of the ephod (see EPHOD) of the high priest over the ...
/s/shoulderpiece.htm - 7k

Underneath (19 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:27 You shall make two rings of gold, and shall put them on the two shoulder
straps of the ephod underneath, in its forepart, close by its coupling ...
/u/underneath.htm - 12k

Woven (40 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:27 You shall make two rings of gold, and shall put them on the two shoulder
straps of the ephod underneath, in its forepart, close by its coupling ...
/w/woven.htm - 19k

In what ways was Moses like Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

What are phylacteries? | GotQuestions.org

What is a bar mitzvah? What is a bat mitzvah? | GotQuestions.org

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