Girdles

THE GIRDLE If the tunic was ungirded it would interfere with a person's ability to walk freely, and so a girdle was always worn when leaving home for any kind of a journey (See II Kings 4:29; Acts 12:8). There were and are today two kinds of girdles. One, a common variety, is of leather, usually six inches broad and furnished with clasps. This was the kind of girdle worn by Elijah (II Kings 1:8), and by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:4). The other, a more valuable variety, is of linen (See Jeremiah 13:1), or sometimes of silk or embroidered material. It is generally a handbreadth wide. The girdle served as a pouch in which to keep money (II Samuel 18:11) and other things that might be needed (Mark 6:8). The girdle was used to fasten a man's sword to his body (I Samuel 25:13). Thus the girdle was a very useful part of a man's clothing. The Scriptures often make symbolic use of the girdle. When JESUS said to His disciples: "Let your loins be girded about" (Luke 12:35), it was as if He had said: "Be as men who have a long race to run; gather up the folds of your flowing robes, and fasten them with your girdle; that nothing may keep you back or impede your steps."8 In Bible language, "be girded" means: "to be ready for action" (cf. Psalm 18:39). The prophet Isaiah spoke of righteousness as the girdle of Messiah's loins when He rules the world (Isaiah 11:5). And Paul calls truth to be the Christian's girdle in his warfare with Satan (Ephesians 6:14). [Manners And Customs of Bible Lands]

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