In biblical times, the handkerchief was a small piece of cloth used for various purposes, including personal hygiene and as a symbol of faith. The term "handkerchief" is mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the context of the Apostle Paul's ministry.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 19:11-12 : "God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them." In this passage, the handkerchiefs are associated with miraculous healings. The cloths that had touched Paul were believed to carry divine power, demonstrating the profound faith of the early Christians and the authority given to the apostles by God.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, cloths similar to handkerchiefs were common and served practical purposes such as wiping the face or hands. However, in the biblical narrative, the handkerchief takes on a more significant role as a conduit of divine power. This reflects the belief in the tangible presence of God's power working through His chosen servants.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

The use of handkerchiefs in Acts 19 highlights the early church's understanding of faith and the miraculous. It underscores the belief that God's power could transcend physical boundaries and be mediated through objects associated with His servants. This practice is reminiscent of other biblical instances where physical objects are used as instruments of God's power, such as the staff of Moses or the hem of Jesus' garment (Matthew 9:20-22).

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the account of handkerchiefs in Acts 19 emphasizes the sovereignty of God in performing miracles and the role of faith in receiving divine intervention. It also illustrates the early church's reliance on the Holy Spirit to authenticate the message of the Gospel through signs and wonders. The passage serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and the belief in God's ability to work through ordinary means to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.

Practical Application:

While the specific practice of using handkerchiefs for healing is not a normative practice in contemporary Christianity, the underlying principle of faith in God's power remains relevant. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's ability to heal and intervene in their lives, recognizing that He can use various means to accomplish His will. The passage also calls Christians to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit and to seek His guidance in their ministry and daily lives.Only once in Authorized Version (Acts 19:12). The Greek word (sudarion) so rendered means properly "a sweat-cloth." It is rendered "napkin" in John 11:44; 20:7; Luke 19:20. 1. (n.) A piece of cloth, usually square and often fine and elegant, carried for wiping the face or hands.

2. (n.) A piece of cloth shaped like a handkerchief to be worn about the neck; a neckerchief; a neckcloth.

HANDKERCHIEF

han'-ker-chif (soudarion): A loan-word from the Latin sudarium, found in plural in Acts 19:12, soudaria; compare sudor, "perspiration"; literally, "a cloth used to wipe off perspiration." Elsewhere it is rendered "napkin" (Luke 19:20 John 11:44; John 20:7), for which see DRESS; NAPKIN.

4676. soudarion -- a handkerchief, a head cloth (for the dead)
... a handkerchief, a head cloth (for the dead). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: soudarion Phonetic Spelling: (soo-dar'-ee-on) Short Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4676.htm - 6k

The Story of Perpetua.
... And Paul, seeing her weeping, says to her: Give me thy handkerchief, and
when I turn back I shall give it to thee. And she, having ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostles peter and paul/the story of perpetua.htm

After These Things Joseph Departed Thence with Mary and Jesus to ...
... And Jesus said to him: Take the handkerchief which is upon thy head, and go and
put it on the face of the dead man, and say to him: Christ heal thee; and ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 40 after these things.htm

The Martyr-Bishop, 1548-1560.
... seized him and let him go; they seized him again and let him go again; they seized
him, for the third time, searched him, and found a fine handkerchief in his ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter x the martyr-bishop 1548-1560.htm

Explaining the Divine Life.
... much amusement. One girl, Anna, tried secretly to pass her a wet handkerchief,
but this Nora quickly caught from her and hid. Poor ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter xvi explaining the divine.htm

Self-Humbling and Self-Searching
... You have, perhaps, a handkerchief that has looked to you extremely white; so it
has been in comparison with other linen: but one day, when there has been a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/self-humbling and self-searching.htm

The Crucifixion.
... Veronica, coming up to Christ, kneeled before him, and offering him her handkerchief,
said, "O Lord, how is thy face covered with blood and sweat. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter ix the crucifixion.htm

The Right to the Ordinary Safeguards of Good Health
... I carefully spread a large handkerchief on the desk to keep my arm from sticking,
took up my pen, and began painstakingly to practice writing the intricate ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 3 the right to.htm

Dialogue Between a Gentleman and a Shepherd.
... The shepherd had a handkerchief round his head, a grey woollen blanket tied
like a hood, and a six-cubit piece of cloth round his loins. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter five dialogue between a.htm

Sun and Wind
... And it seemed as if it could never win, any more than the northwind. But soon the
traveller took out his handkerchief and wiped the perspiration from his face. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/sun and wind.htm

The Master's Touch.
... He dusted it tenderly with his handkerchief, changed the tension of the strings,
and held it up to his ear lingeringly as though hearing something. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/the masters touch.htm

Napkin (3 Occurrences)
... But the word is used of a wrapper to fold money in (Luke 19:20), and as an article
of dress, a "handkerchief" worn on the head (Acts 19:12). ... 7; HANDKERCHIEF. ...
/n/napkin.htm - 8k

Kerchief
... 1. (n.) A square scarf worn on the head or used a handkerchief; a square of fine
linen worn by women as a covering for the head; hence, anything similar in ...
/k/kerchief.htm - 7k

Handkerchief (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A piece of cloth shaped like a handkerchief to be worn about the neck; a
neckerchief; a neckcloth. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HANDKERCHIEF. ...
/h/handkerchief.htm - 8k

Wipe (24 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A blow; a stroke; a hit; a swipe. 7. (n.) A gibe; a jeer; a severe sarcasm.
8. (n.) A handkerchief. 9. (n.) Stain; brand. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/w/wipe.htm - 14k

Distinct (5 Occurrences)
... Distinct (5 Occurrences). John 20:7 and the handkerchief which was upon his head,
not lying with the linen cloths, but folded up in a distinct place by itself. ...
/d/distinct.htm - 8k

Mina (6 Occurrences)
... NIV). Luke 19:20 Another came, saying,'Lord, behold, your mina, which I
kept laid away in a handkerchief, (WEB DBY NAS NIV). Luke ...
/m/mina.htm - 9k

Bloody (19 Occurrences)
... bloody excretions; bloody sweat. 2. (a.) Smeared or stained with blood;
as, bloody hands; a bloody handkerchief. 3. (a.) Given, or ...
/b/bloody.htm - 17k

Bag (52 Occurrences)
... (3) The small "merchant's bag" often knotted in a handkerchief for carrying the
weights, such as is mentioned in Deuteronomy 25:13: "Thou shalt not have in thy ...
/b/bag.htm - 29k

Sweat (3 Occurrences)
... The late legend of Berenice or Veronica, who presented her handkerchief to the Saviour
on His way to be crucified, and who found, when it had been returned to ...
/s/sweat.htm - 14k

Piece (93 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Luke 19:20 Another came, saying,'Lord, behold, your mina,
which I kept laid away in a handkerchief, (See NIV). Luke ...
/p/piece.htm - 40k

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