The term "swaddled" refers to the practice of wrapping an infant in cloths or bands to restrict movement and provide warmth and security. This ancient custom is mentioned in the Bible and holds significant cultural and theological implications.

Biblical References:

1. Luke 2:7 : "And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." This verse describes the birth of Jesus Christ, highlighting the humble circumstances of His arrival. The act of swaddling Jesus signifies His humanity and vulnerability, emphasizing the incarnation of God in the flesh.

2. Ezekiel 16:4 : "On the day you were born, your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to cleanse you; you were not rubbed with salt or wrapped in swaddling cloths." In this passage, God speaks through the prophet Ezekiel, using the imagery of an abandoned infant to describe the spiritual state of Jerusalem. The absence of swaddling is symbolic of neglect and lack of care, contrasting with the nurturing love God offers His people.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

Swaddling was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including among the Israelites. It served practical purposes, such as keeping the infant warm and secure, and was believed to promote proper physical development. The use of swaddling cloths in the biblical narrative of Jesus' birth underscores His identification with humanity. Despite being the Son of God, Jesus was born into a world of simplicity and humility, wrapped in the same manner as any other newborn of His time.

Theologically, the image of Jesus swaddled in cloths can be seen as a foreshadowing of His eventual burial. Just as He was wrapped at birth, He would later be wrapped in linen after His crucifixion (John 19:40). This parallel highlights the purpose of His incarnation: to live, die, and rise again for the salvation of mankind.

Symbolism in Christian Tradition:

In Christian art and tradition, the swaddling of Jesus is often depicted to emphasize His innocence and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. The humble setting of His birth, including the swaddling cloths, serves as a reminder of God's grace and the unexpected ways in which He accomplishes His divine purposes.

The practice of swaddling, while a simple act, carries profound meaning within the biblical narrative. It reflects the care and protection provided by loving parents and, on a deeper level, symbolizes God's protective and nurturing relationship with His people.(imp. & p. p.) of Swaddle.

The Boy Hugh
... The voice of law too was not silent amid arms. Our constitutional government, already
begotten, was being born and swaddled. The races were being blended. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter i the boy hugh.htm

Immanuel! to Thee we Sing.
... eyes. Hallelujah! The bounds of ocean fix'd hast Thou, Who art a swaddled
infant now; Thou'rt God"a bed of straw Thou hast. Thou ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/immanuel to thee we sing.htm

Hail, Jesus;
... Hail, sweet Jesus; praise, honour, and glory be to Thee, O Christ, who, being born
in the depth of winter, didst not refuse to be swaddled in poor clothes, and ...
/.../baker/holy wisdom or directions for the prayer of contemplation/hail jesus.htm

A virgin Most Pure, as the Prophets did Tell
... 5. The King of glory to this world being brought Small store of fine linen to wrap
him was sought; When Mary had swaddled her young Son so sweet, Within an ox ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 12 a virgin most.htm

Vile Ingratitude!
... our knees bend before the power of grace. We had not been swaddled or cared
for. There was everything in our condition that would ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/vile ingratitude.htm

The Circumcision of Jesus
... He was covered with a veil, but otherwise had nothing on but a bandage round His
body. At other times I saw the little Child all swaddled up again. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xii the circumcision of jesus.htm

Self Culture.
... knowing. They can never appreciate this saying of the immortal Burke: "I
was not rocked and swaddled and dandled into a legislator. ...
/.../allen/autobiography of frank g allen minister of the gospel/ii self culture.htm

Praise for the Gift of Gifts
... Can any one measure or describe how far Christ stooped, when, from the throne of
splendour, he came to a manger to be swaddled and lie where the horned oxen fed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/praise for the gift of.htm

Matt. viii. 14
... one appear a man? Even so may we see their soul also swaddled up, and rather
an image [1176] than a soul. Forasmuch then as they ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxvii matt viii 14.htm

Looking unto Jesus
... In vain the bands that swaddled him; he unfolded them by himself, and by his ownliving
power wrapped them in perfect order, and laid them in their place. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/looking unto jesus.htm

Swaddled (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Swaddle. Multi-Version Concordance
Swaddled (2 Occurrences). Lamentations 2:22 Thou hast ...
/s/swaddled.htm - 7k

Navel (4 Occurrences)
... day thou wast born thy navel (ie umbilical cord) was not cut neither wast thou washed
in water to cleanse thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all ...
/n/navel.htm - 9k

Swaddle

/s/swaddle.htm - 8k

Nativity (9 Occurrences)
... nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed
in water to supple thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all. ...
/n/nativity.htm - 11k

Weren't (25 Occurrences)
... for your birth, in the day you were born your navel was not cut, neither were you
washed in water to cleanse you; you weren't salted at all, nor swaddled at all ...
/w/weren't.htm - 13k

Rubbed (10 Occurrences)
... in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water
for cleansing; thou wast not rubbed with salt at all, nor swaddled at all. ...
/r/rubbed.htm - 9k

Cloths (16 Occurrences)
... for your birth, in the day you were born your navel was not cut, neither were you
washed in water to cleanse you; you weren't salted at all, nor swaddled at all ...
/c/cloths.htm - 10k

Salted (6 Occurrences)
... for your birth, in the day you were born your navel was not cut, neither were you
washed in water to cleanse you; you weren't salted at all, nor swaddled at all ...
/s/salted.htm - 8k

Swaddling (3 Occurrences)

/s/swaddling.htm - 7k

Swathed (4 Occurrences)
... Thou -- thy navel hath not been cut, And in water thou wast not washed for ease,
And thou hast not been salted at all, And thou hast not been swaddled at all. ...
/s/swathed.htm - 7k

What does it mean that baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes? | GotQuestions.org

Swaddled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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