In biblical times, thongs were commonly used as straps or cords, often made from leather, that served various practical purposes. They are mentioned in several contexts throughout the Bible, illustrating their significance in daily life and religious practices.

1. Use in Footwear:

Thongs were primarily used in the construction of sandals, which were the standard footwear in ancient Israel and surrounding regions. Sandals consisted of a sole fastened to the foot by thongs or straps. This is evident in the account of John the Baptist, who declared his unworthiness to untie the thongs of Jesus' sandals:

"I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie" (Mark 1:7-8).

This statement highlights the humility of John the Baptist and the reverence he had for Jesus, as untying sandal thongs was considered a menial task, often performed by servants.

2. Symbol of Bondage and Punishment:

Thongs were also used as instruments of punishment. The Apostle Paul, for instance, was bound with thongs during his arrest in Jerusalem:

"The commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to determine the reason for this outcry against him. As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, 'Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen who has not been found guilty?'" (Acts 22:24-25).

In this context, thongs were used to bind Paul, preparing him for flogging, a common form of Roman punishment. Paul's invocation of his Roman citizenship ultimately spared him from this ordeal.

3. Metaphorical Use:

Thongs are also used metaphorically in Scripture to describe spiritual or moral bondage. In Isaiah 58:6, the prophet speaks of breaking the bonds of wickedness:

"Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" (Isaiah 58:6).

Here, the "straps of the yoke" symbolize the oppressive forces of sin and injustice, which God calls His people to break through acts of righteousness and compassion.

4. Cultural and Religious Significance:

In the cultural and religious context of the Bible, thongs also held significance in various rituals and practices. For example, the binding of sacrificial animals or the securing of items for transport often involved the use of thongs. These practices underscored the importance of thongs in maintaining order and fulfilling religious duties.

Overall, thongs in the Bible serve as a reminder of the practical aspects of daily life in ancient times, as well as the deeper spiritual truths conveyed through their metaphorical use. They illustrate themes of humility, service, bondage, and liberation, which are woven throughout the biblical narrative.2438. himas -- a thong, strap
... or shoe. Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition a thong, strap NASB
Word Usage thong (3), thongs (1). a thong, strap. Perhaps ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2438.htm - 6k

3148. mastix -- a whip, scourge
... mastix Phonetic Spelling: (mas'-tix) Short Definition: a scourge, lash, sufferings
Definition: (a) a scourge, lash, of leathern thongs with pieces of metal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3148.htm - 7k

6123. aqad -- to bind
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to bind NASB Word Usage bound (1). bind. A
primitive root; to tie with thongs -- bind. 6122, 6123. aqad. 6124 . ...
/hebrew/6123.htm - 5k

Christ Crucified.
... The scourge was made of several thongs with a handle; the thongs were made rough
with bits of iron or bone, for tearing the flesh, and thus fitted, it was ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ crucified.htm

Prophets and Prophets. (xxiii. 9-32, xxvii-xxix, Etc. )
... Jeremiah was commanded to make a yoke of bars and thongs, and having put it
on his neck to charge the messengers to tell their masters". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 prophets and prophets xxiii.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... stomach and upper part of the thighs were protected by a sort of triangular apron,
sometimes scalloped at the sides, and composed of leather thongs attached to ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

Acts xxii. 17-20
... "And as they bound him with thongs, [1074] Paul said unto the centurion that stood
by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman and uncondemned ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlviii acts xxii 17-20.htm

The Acts of Philip.
... And he ordered thongs of raw hide to be brought, and Philip and Bartholomew and
Mariamme to be beaten; and after they had been scourged with the thongs, he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the acts of philip/the acts of philip.htm

Acts of Sharbil, who was a Priest of Idols, and was Converted to ...
... The judge said: Let him be scourged with thongs, [3173] because he has dared to
answer me thus, and has resisted the command of the emperors, and has not ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents acts of.htm

ii.
... was at liberty to abuse them, some beat them with wooden clubs, [1317] and others
with rods, and others with scourges, and others again with thongs, and others ...
//christianbookshelf.org/phileas/the writings of phileas/ii.htm

The Lost Opportunity
... soldier, saying, "Guard this man; if he escapes thy life shall be demanded for his."
It is possible that they gave an extra pull to the thongs that bound the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the lost opportunity.htm

The Crown of Thorns.
... The instrument of torture was a sort of knout or cat-o'-nine-tails, with
bits of iron or bone attached to the ends of the thongs. ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter vii the crown of.htm

Paul Before the Council.
... "But as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by,
Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?" The ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvi paul before the.htm

Thongs (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Thongs (7 Occurrences). Mark 1:7 He preached, saying,
"After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong ...
/t/thongs.htm - 8k

Ax (12 Occurrences)
... handle by passing the latter through a hole in the ax-head, whereas the Egyptian
sculptures show that their ax-heads were held to the handles by means of thongs...
/a/ax.htm - 14k

Axe (19 Occurrences)
... handle by passing the latter through a hole in the ax-head, whereas the Egyptian
sculptures show that their ax-heads were held to the handles by means of thongs...
/a/axe.htm - 18k

Axhead (1 Occurrence)
... handle by passing the latter through a hole in the ax-head, whereas the Egyptian
sculptures show that their ax-heads were held to the handles by means of thongs...
/a/axhead.htm - 10k

Ax-head
... handle by passing the latter through a hole in the ax-head, whereas the Egyptian
sculptures show that their ax-heads were held to the handles by means of thongs...
/a/ax-head.htm - 9k

Scourge (24 Occurrences)
... It consisted of a handle, to which several cords or leather thongs were affixed,
which were weighted with jagged pieces of bone or metal, to make the blow more ...
/s/scourge.htm - 17k

Armor (53 Occurrences)
... It consists of plaited thongs, or of one strip of leather, made broad at the middle
to form a hollow or pocket for the stone or other contents, the ends being ...
/a/armor.htm - 41k

Arms (166 Occurrences)
... It consists of plaited thongs, or of one strip of leather, made broad at the middle
to form a hollow or pocket for the stone or other contents, the ends being ...
/a/arms.htm - 56k

Yoke (79 Occurrences)
... moToth in Leviticus 26:13 Ezekiel 34:27) projecting downward, against which the
shoulders of the oxen pressed, and it was held in position by thongs or "bonds ...
/y/yoke.htm - 40k

Uncondemned (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 22:25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that
stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned ...
/u/uncondemned.htm - 6k

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