Topical Encyclopedia The term "swaddling-band" refers to the cloths or strips of fabric used to wrap newborn infants tightly. This practice was common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including among the Israelites, and is mentioned in the Bible in the context of the birth of Jesus Christ.Biblical References: The most notable mention of swaddling-bands in the Bible is found in the Gospel of Luke, which describes the birth of Jesus. In Luke 2:7 , it is written: "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 passage highlights the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth, emphasizing His humanity and the fulfillment of prophecy regarding the Messiah's humble beginnings. Swaddling-bands are also alluded to in the Old Testament, where the practice of swaddling is mentioned metaphorically. In Ezekiel 16:4 , God speaks to Jerusalem, saying, "On the day of your birth, 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." This imagery is used to describe the neglected state of Jerusalem, contrasting the care typically given to a newborn. Cultural and Historical Context: Swaddling was a widespread practice in ancient times, believed to provide comfort and security to infants by mimicking the womb's environment. The process involved wrapping the baby snugly in strips of cloth, which helped to keep the child warm and protected. This practice also had practical benefits, such as preventing the infant from scratching themselves and promoting proper limb development. In the context of Jesus' birth, the use of swaddling-bands signifies the normalcy and ordinariness of His entrance into the world, despite His divine nature. The mention of swaddling-bands in the nativity account serves to underscore the humility and simplicity of the circumstances surrounding the Incarnation. Theological Significance: From a theological perspective, the mention of swaddling-bands in the account of Jesus' birth carries profound significance. It highlights the mystery of the Incarnation, where the eternal Son of God took on human flesh and entered the world in the most vulnerable and humble manner. The swaddling-bands symbolize the full humanity of Christ, who, though divine, experienced the same conditions as any other human infant. Furthermore, the imagery of swaddling-bands can be seen as a foreshadowing of the burial cloths that would later wrap Jesus' body after His crucifixion. This connection between His birth and death underscores the purpose of His coming—to live a sinless life and to die for the redemption of humanity. In summary, the swaddling-bands mentioned in the Bible serve as a powerful symbol of the humility and humanity of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. They remind believers of the profound mystery of the Incarnation and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through His Son. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SWADDLE; SWADDLING-BANDswod'-'-l, swod'-ling-band (verb chathal, "enwrap," "swaddle" (Ezekiel 16:4), noun chathullah, "swaddling-band" (Job 38:9); verb sparganoo, "to wrap in swaddling clothes" (Luke 2:7, 12), noun spargana (pl.), "swaddling clothes" (The Wisdom of Solomon 7:4). the King James Version also has "swaddle" (Lamentations 2:22) for Taphach, literally, "to extend." But the word means "to carry on the outstretched palms of the hands" (compare Tippuchim, "dandled in the hands," Lamentations 2:20), whence RV's "to dandle"): "To swaddle" and "to swathe" are really the same word, both forms going back to an AS form swethel, "a bandage," but "swaddle" has become the technical term for the wrapping of an infant in the Orient or elsewhere. The oriental swaddling-clothes consist of a square of cloth and two or more bandages. The child is laid on the cloth diagonally and the corners are folded over the feet and body and under the head, the bandages then being tied so as to hold the cloth in position. This device forms the clothing of the child until it is about a year old, and its omission (Ezekiel 16:4) would be a token that the child had been abandoned. The mention of darkness as a "swaddling-band" at the birth of the sea (Job 38:9) is only a poetic way of saying that the sea, at its creation, was covered with clouds and darkness, and to find any idea of restraint involved is fanciful. Strong's Hebrew 2854. chathullah -- swaddling band... 2853, 2854. chathullah. 2855 . swaddling band. Transliteration: chathullah Phonetic Spelling: (khath-ool-law') Short Definition: band. ... swaddling band. ... /hebrew/2854.htm - 6k Library The Creator's Joy in his Creation To the Consul Nomus. Kingo's Childhood and Youth The First Christmas Carol Thesaurus Swaddlingband (1 Occurrence)... The mention of darkness as a "swaddling-band" at the birth of the sea (Job 38:9) is only a poetic way of saying that the sea, at its ...Swaddlingband (1 Occurrence ... /s/swaddlingband.htm - 8k Swaddling-band (1 Occurrence) Swaddle Swaddling (3 Occurrences) Swaddling-clothes (2 Occurrences) Resources What does it mean that baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes? | GotQuestions.orgWhen can music be considered 'Christian music'? | GotQuestions.org What can we learn from the tribe of Issachar? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Swaddling-band (1 Occurrence)Job 38:9 Subtopics Related Terms |
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