bracelet Summary and Overview

(1.) Anklets (Num. 31:50; 2 Sam. 1:10), and with reference to men. (2.) The rendering of a Hebrew word meaning fasteners, found in Gen. 24:22, 30, 47. (3.) In Isa. 3:19, the rendering of a Hebrew word meaning chains, i.e., twisted or chain-like bracelets. (4.) In Ex. 35:22 it designates properly a clasp for fastening the dress of females. Some interpret it as a nose-ring. (5.) In Gen. 38:18, 25, the rendering of a Hebrew word meaning "thread," and may denote the ornamental cord with which the signet was suspended from the neck of the wearer. Bracelets were worn by men as well as by women (Cant. 5:14, R.V.). They were of many various forms. The weight of those presented by Eliezer to Rebekah was ten shekels (Gen. 24:22).

[See ARMLET] Bracelets of fine twisted Venetian gold are still common in Egypt. In #Ge 38:18,25| the word rendered "bracelet" means probably a string by which a seal-ring was suspended. Men as well as women wore bracelets, as we see from #So 5:14| Layard says of the Assyrian kings, "The arms were encircled by armlets, and the wrists by bracelets."

Armlet which encircled the arm, as BRACELETS the wrist. (See ARMLET.) In Genesis 38:18; Genesis 38:25, instead of "bracelets" translate (pathiyb) "the ribband" or guard by which Judah's signet was suspended to his neck. In Isaiah 3:19 wreathed chainwork bracelets are meant, as the root of sheerah implies. Bracelets of fine twisted gold are still common in Egypt. Men wore them as well as women. The Assyrian kings had "in the center of theirs stars and rosettes, probably inlaid with precious stones" (Layard). In Exodus 35:22, for "bracelets" (chach) translate clasp or ring (literally, "a hook".) The "bracelet on Saul's arm," i.e. armlet, was one of the insignia of royalty found after his death (2 Samuel 1:10).