purse Summary and Overview

(1.) Gr. balantion, a bag (Luke 10:4; 22:35, 36). (2.) Gr. zone, properly a girdle (Matt. 10:9; Mark 6:8), a money-belt. As to our Lord's sending forth his disciples without money in their purses, the remark has been made that in this "there was no departure from the simple manners of the country. At this day the farmer sets out on excursions quite as extensive without a para in his purse; and a modern Moslem prophet of Tarshisha thus sends forth his apostles over this identical region. No traveller in the East would hestitate to throw himself on the hospitality of any village." Thomson's Land and the Book. (See SCRIP T0003242.)

a bag for money. The Hebrews, when on a journey, were provided with a bag, in which they carried their money, #Ge 42:35; Pr 1:14; 7:20; Isa 46:6| and, if they were merchants, also their weights. #De 25:13 Mic 6:11| This bag is described in the New Testament by the terms balantion (bag) #Lu 10:4; 12:33; 22:35,38| and glossokomon (originally the bag in which musicians carried the mouth-pieces of their Instruments). #Joh 12:6; 13:29| The girdle also served as a purse. #Mt 10:9; Mr 6:8| Ladies wore ornamental purses. #Isa 3:24|

PURSE , a sort of girdle, such as is often found at the present day in Eastern countries. One part of the girdle, sufficient to encompass the body, was sewed double and fastened with a buckle. The other was wound around above or below the first fold, and tucked under. The first fold had an opening, closed with a leathern cover and strap, through which the contents of the purse were passed. Matt 10:9; Mark 6:8.

Often "the girdle" (zoonee): Matthew 10:9; Mark 6:8. Or "a bag for money", and "for merchants' weights". (Genesis 42:35; Proverbs 1:14; Isaiah 46:6; John 12:6, glossokomon, literally, a bag for carrying mouthpieces of musical instruments.)