Cordage in biblical times refers to the ropes, cords, and similar materials used for various practical purposes, including construction, agriculture, and daily life. The use of cordage is mentioned throughout the Bible, highlighting its importance in ancient society.

Materials and Construction

Cordage was typically made from natural fibers available in the region, such as flax, hemp, or reeds. These materials were twisted or braided together to form strong and durable ropes. The process of making cordage required skill and knowledge, as the strength and flexibility of the rope were crucial for its intended use.

Biblical References

Cordage is mentioned in several contexts in the Bible, illustrating its diverse applications:

1. Construction and Binding: Cordage was essential in construction and binding activities. In the construction of the Tabernacle, ropes were used to secure the tent and its coverings. Exodus 35:18 mentions "the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the courtyard, along with their ropes."

2. Agriculture: In agriculture, ropes were used for tasks such as tying animals or bundling sheaves. Job 39:10 refers to the use of ropes in controlling animals: "Can you hold him to the furrow with a harness? Will he plow the valleys behind you?"

3. Fishing and Sailing: Cordage was vital for fishing and sailing, as nets and sails required strong ropes. In Matthew 4:21, James and John are described as mending their nets, which would have involved repairing the cordage: "Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets."

4. Symbolic Uses: Cordage also appears in symbolic contexts. In Ecclesiastes 4:12, the strength of a cord is used metaphorically to describe unity and strength: "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

5. Judgment and Punishment: Cordage is sometimes associated with judgment or punishment. In Psalm 129:4, the psalmist speaks of the Lord cutting the cords of the wicked: "The LORD is righteous; He has cut me free from the cords of the wicked."

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

Cordage in the Bible often carries deeper spiritual meanings. It symbolizes strength, unity, and the binding nature of relationships or covenants. The imagery of a strong cord is used to convey the idea of resilience and the power of collective strength, as seen in Ecclesiastes 4:12.

In a spiritual sense, the cutting of cords can represent liberation from sin or oppression, as depicted in Psalm 129:4. This imagery underscores the belief in God's power to deliver and protect His people.

Overall, cordage in the Bible serves as a reminder of the practical and symbolic roles that everyday materials played in the lives of ancient peoples, reflecting both their physical needs and spiritual beliefs.(n.) Ropes or cords, collectively; hence, anything made of rope or cord, as those parts of the rigging of a ship which consist of ropes.5688. aboth -- cord, rope, cordage
... aboth or aboth or abothah. 5689 . cord, rope, cordage. Transliteration: aboth
or aboth or abothah Phonetic Spelling: (ab-oth') Short Definition: cords. ...
/hebrew/5688.htm - 6k

The Olivet Message.
... intense white light shone full on the stranger-boat, bringing it to view so distinctly
that we could almost count the nail-heads, and the strands in her cordage ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the olivet message.htm

The Wonderful Unity of the Bible Attests Its Divine Authorship
... Just as the scarlet thread runs through all the cordage of the British Navy,
so a crimson aura surrounds every page of God's Word. ...
/.../pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter seven the wonderful unity.htm

The Return Home.
... 1st ed. adds: A Cento from the Canon of S. John Climacos. Safe home, safe home in
port! "Rent cordage, shattered deck,. Torn sails, provisions short,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neale/hymns of the eastern church/the return home.htm

Shod for the Road
... for. The thickness of the sides, the strength of the cordage, the massiveness
of the equipment, did not look like pleasure-sailing. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/shod for the road.htm

For Mariners.
... Here, ye proud waves, your fury stay:". Deliver us, good Lord, we pray. With cordage
snapt, and canvas riven,. Through straits thick-strown with rock and shoal, ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn ccxliv for mariners.htm

Fire at Portsmouth Dock
... It spread with such amazing violence, among tow, and cordage, and dry wood,
that none could come near without the utmost danger. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/fire at portsmouth dock.htm

Crossing the Hellespont.
... The cables, as they passed along the decks of the vessels over the water, were secured
to them all by strong cordage, so that each vessel was firmly and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter v crossing the hellespont.htm

The Ascension
... make their way to heaven, alone, unhailed by one whom they saved or comforted, and
like a vessel which struggles into port, with rent cordage and tattered sails ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 16 19-20 the ascension.htm

The Advance of Xerxes into Greece.
... apace. The rising and roughening sea made the oars useless, and the wind
howled frightfully through the cordage and the rigging. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter viii the advance of.htm

'A Time to Plant'
... people in the South Seas, if they have a palm-tree, can get out of it bread and
drink, food, clothing, shelter, light, materials for books, cordage for their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a time to plant.htm

Cordage (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Cordage (3 Occurrences). Exodus 28:14 And two chains of
the best gold, twisted like cords; and have the chains fixed on to the frames. ...
/c/cordage.htm - 7k

Corded (37 Occurrences)

/c/corded.htm - 18k

Fathom (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A measure of length, containing six feet; the space to which a man can extend
his arms; -- used chiefly in measuring cables, cordage, and the depth of ...
/f/fathom.htm - 9k

Tackling (1 Occurrence)
... & vb. n.) of Tackle. 2. (n.) Furniture of the masts and yards of a vessel, as cordage,
sails, etc. 3. (n.) Instruments of action; as, fishing tackling. ...
/t/tackling.htm - 7k

Dolphin
... dropped on the deck of an enemy's vessel. 4. (n.) A kind of wreath or strap
of plaited cordage. 5. (n.) A spar or buoy held by an ...
/d/dolphin.htm - 7k

Mail (11 Occurrences)
... defensive covering. 6. (n.) A contrivance of interlinked rings, for rubbing
off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage. 7. (n ...
/m/mail.htm - 11k

Point (106 Occurrences)
... 19. (n.) A short piece of cordage used in reefing sails. See Reef point, under Reef.
20. (n.) A string or lace used to tie together certain parts of the dress. ...
/p/point.htm - 40k

Shakings (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n. pl.) Deck sweepings, refuse of cordage, canvas,
etc. Multi-Version Concordance Shakings (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/shakings.htm - 6k

Cord (47 Occurrences)

/c/cord.htm - 27k

Rope (10 Occurrences)
... strands twisted or braided together. It differs from cord, line, and string,
only in its size. See Cordage. 2. (n.) A row or string ...
/r/rope.htm - 11k

Cordage: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus