The ankle, a crucial joint in the human body, is mentioned in the Bible in contexts that often symbolize strength, stability, and movement. In biblical times, the physical condition of one's ankles could be indicative of their overall health and ability to stand or walk, which in turn could symbolize spiritual readiness and strength.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 3:7-8 : "Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God." This passage describes the miraculous healing of a man who had been lame from birth. The strengthening of his ankles signifies not only physical healing but also spiritual renewal and the power of faith in Jesus Christ. The healed man's ability to walk and leap is a testament to the transformative power of God.

2. Ezekiel 47:3-5 : "As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was waist-deep." In this vision, the prophet Ezekiel describes a river flowing from the temple, symbolizing the life-giving and purifying power of God's presence. The progression from ankle-deep to deeper waters can represent the increasing depth of spiritual experience and commitment.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

· Strength and Healing: The healing of the lame man's ankles in Acts 3 is a powerful symbol of divine intervention and the restoration of physical and spiritual wholeness. It underscores the belief that faith in Christ can bring about miraculous change and renewal.

· Spiritual Progression: In Ezekiel's vision, the ankle-deep water represents the initial stages of spiritual growth and understanding. As one progresses deeper into the water, it symbolizes a deeper immersion into the life of faith and the increasing influence of the Holy Spirit.

· Stability and Readiness: In a broader sense, the ankle can symbolize stability and readiness to walk in the ways of the Lord. Just as strong ankles are necessary for physical movement, spiritual readiness and strength are essential for walking in obedience to God's will.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, physical ailments such as lameness were often seen as impediments not only to daily life but also to participation in religious and community activities. The healing of such conditions was therefore not only a physical restoration but also a reintegration into the community and a sign of divine favor.

The ankle, as a joint that supports the body's weight and enables movement, serves as a metaphor for the foundational aspects of faith and the believer's journey. In biblical narratives, the condition of one's ankles can reflect their spiritual state and readiness to follow God's path.(n.) The joint which connects the foot with the leg; the tarsus.ANKLE

an'-k'-l (in older editions of the King James Version, ancle): From Hebrew me'aphecayim literally, "water of ankles," i.e. shallow water (Ezekiel 47:3); "anklebones" (Acts 3:7) from sphudron "ankle chains" (the King James Version "chains"), from a Hebrew root meaning "to walk about proudly" (Numbers 31:50). The same Hebrew word is translated "bracelet" (2 Samuel 1:10), but in Isaiah 3:20 another word from the same root "ankle chains" (the King James Version "ornaments of the legs"). Compare ANKLET (Isaiah 3:18).

4974. sphudron -- the ankle
... the ankle. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: sphudron Phonetic Spelling:
(sfoo-ron') Short Definition: the ankle bone Definition: the ankle bone. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4974.htm - 6k7166. qarsol -- ankle
... ankle. Transliteration: qarsol Phonetic Spelling: (kar-sole') Short Definition:
feet. Word Origin from qaras Definition ankle NASB Word Usage feet (2). foot. ...
/hebrew/7166.htm - 6k

657. ephes -- a ceasing
... 1), worthless (1). ankle, but only, end, howbeit, less than nothing,
nevertheless where, no, none beside,. From 'aphec; cessation ...
/hebrew/657.htm - 6k

3782. kashal -- to stumble, stagger, totter
... A primitive root; to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the
ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall -- bereave (from ...
/hebrew/3782.htm - 6k

3767. kera -- a leg
... leg. From kara'; the leg (from the knee to the ankle) of men or locusts (only in
the dual) -- leg. see HEBREW kara'. 3766, 3767. kera. 3768 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/3767.htm - 6k

6807. ts'adah -- a marching
... going, ornament of the legs Feminine of tsa'ad; a march; (concretely) an (ornamental)
ankle-chain -- going, ornament of the legs. see HEBREW tsa'ad. ...
/hebrew/6807.htm - 5k

6807b. tseadah -- perhaps anklets
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition perhaps anklets NASB Word Usage ankle
chains (1). 6807a, 6807b. tseadah. 6808 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6807b.htm - 5k

The Reconnoitering of Greece.
... Democedes a captive."He is sent to Darius."Democedes is cast into prison."His wretched
condition."Darius sprains his ankle."The Egyptian physicians ...
/.../abbott/darius the great/chapter vi the reconnoitering of.htm

It was Friday Night, and Diamond, Like the Rest of the Household.. ...
... "I tell you I put my foot on one of those horrid stones they make the roads
with, and it gave my ankle such a twist.". "Ankle indeed! ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 32 it was friday.htm

The Next Morning, Diamond's Mother Said to his Father...
... He sprained his ankle and got fat on purpose.". "What purpose, Diamond?" asked his
father. "Ah! ... "He put his foot on a stone just to twist his ankle.". ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 33 the next morning.htm

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
... Of course, the fashionable lady was similarly adorned, adding to the bracelets
finger-rings, ankle-rings, nose-rings, ear-rings, gorgeous head-dresses ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 13 among the people.htm

History and Doctrines of Heresies.
... How Simon, Desiring to Fly by Some Magical Arts, Fell Down Headlong from on High
at the Prayers of Peter, and Brake His Feet, and Hands, and Ankle-Bones. IX. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii history and doctrines of.htm

Found by Jesus, and Finding Jesus
... they feel like the man who had been lame, and who, when Peter spoke to him in the
name of Jesus, and lifted him up, so that his feet and ankle bones received ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 40 1894/found by jesus and finding.htm

Conversion
... year. "While she was teaching," wrote one of her cousins, "my mother broke
her ankle and Clara cared for her almost a year. She ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hoskins/clara a swain md/conversion.htm

Fresh Supplies of Power.
... The stream begins with a few strings of water trickling out from under the
door-step of the temple, and rises gradually but steadily ankle-deep, knee-deep, ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/fresh supplies of power.htm

Polycarp is Brought into the City.
... [442] Or, "cast him down" simply, the following words being, as above, an interpolation.
[443] Or, "sprained his ankle.". [444] Or, "not turning back.". ...
/.../the martyrdom of the holy polycarp/chapter viii polycarp is brought into.htm

The Story of the Man at the Beautiful Gate
... And Peter took hold of the lame man's right hand, and raised him up. At once the
lame man felt a new power entering into his feet and ankle-bones. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the man.htm

Ankle (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ANKLE. ... Multi-Version Concordance Ankle (2 Occurrences).
Acts 3:7 He took him by the right hand, and raised him up. ...
/a/ankle.htm - 7k

Ankle-chain
Ankle-chain. Anklechain, Ankle-chain. Ankle-chains . Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia ANKLET; ANKLE-CHAIN. an'-klet, an ...
/a/ankle-chain.htm - 7k

Ankle-bones (1 Occurrence)
Ankle-bones. Ankle, Ankle-bones. Anklechain . Multi-Version
Concordance Ankle-bones (1 Occurrence). Acts 3:7 And he ...
/a/ankle-bones.htm - 6k

Ankle-chains (1 Occurrence)
Ankle-chains. Ankle-chain, Ankle-chains. Ankle-deep . Multi-Version
Concordance Ankle-chains (1 Occurrence). Numbers 31:50 And we ...
/a/ankle-chains.htm - 6k

Ankle-deep (1 Occurrence)
Ankle-deep. Ankle-chains, Ankle-deep. Ankles . Multi-Version
Concordance Ankle-deep (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 47:3 In ...
/a/ankle-deep.htm - 6k

Anklet
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) An ornament or a fetter for the ankle; an ankle
ring. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ANKLET; ANKLE-CHAIN. ...
/a/anklet.htm - 7k

Anklechain
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ANKLET; ANKLE-CHAIN. an'-klet, an'-k'-l-
chan: "Anklets" is rightly found in Isaiah 3:18 the Revised ...
/a/anklechain.htm - 7k

Foot (193 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The terminal part of the leg of man or an animal; esp., the part below the
ankle or wrist; that part of an animal upon which it rests when standing, or ...
/f/foot.htm - 48k

Anise (1 Occurrence)

/a/anise.htm - 9k

Ornament (23 Occurrences)
... rings or bracelets (Genesis 24:22 2 Samuel 1:10); earrings (Genesis 35:4 Exodus
32:2); noserings (Genesis 24:47 Ezekiel 16:12); anklets or ankle-chains (Isaiah ...
/o/ornament.htm - 17k

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