Topical Bible: Girdle: Made of Linen

◄ Girdle: Made of Linen ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the girdle was an essential piece of clothing, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. Made of various materials, the linen girdle holds particular significance in the Scriptures, often associated with purity, service, and priestly duties.

Description and Use

The girdle, or belt, was a long piece of cloth or leather wrapped around the waist, used to secure garments and provide support. Linen, a fabric made from the fibers of the flax plant, was highly valued for its quality and purity. Linen girdles were worn by individuals of status and were often part of the attire for religious and ceremonial functions.

Biblical References

The linen girdle is notably mentioned in the context of the priestly garments. In Exodus 28:39-40, the instructions for the priestly attire include a linen sash: "You are to weave the tunic with fine linen, make the turban of fine linen, and fashion an embroidered sash." The use of linen in the priestly garments underscored the themes of holiness and separation unto God, as linen was considered a pure and clean fabric.

In Ezekiel 44:17-18, the regulations for the priests' clothing further emphasize the use of linen: "When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen garments; they must not wear anything made of wool when they minister at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple. They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire."

Symbolism

The linen girdle symbolizes purity and righteousness, qualities expected of those who serve in the presence of God. The choice of linen for the priestly girdle reflects the call for the priests to be set apart, maintaining a standard of holiness in their service. The absence of wool, which could cause perspiration, further highlights the need for purity and the avoidance of anything that might symbolize impurity or defilement.

Prophetic Imagery

In the prophetic writings, the linen girdle is used as a symbol of the relationship between God and His people. In Jeremiah 13:1-11, the prophet is instructed to buy a linen girdle and wear it, then hide it in a crevice of the rocks by the Euphrates. When he retrieves it, the girdle is ruined, symbolizing how Judah and Jerusalem had become corrupted and useless due to their disobedience. This imagery underscores the importance of maintaining purity and faithfulness to God.

Conclusion

The linen girdle, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a powerful symbol of purity, service, and dedication to God. Its use in priestly garments and prophetic imagery highlights the call for holiness and the consequences of failing to uphold God's standards. Through the linen girdle, the Scriptures convey a message of the importance of righteousness and the sacredness of serving in the presence of the Almighty.

Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 31:24
She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles to the merchant.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Concerning the Garments of the Priests, and of the High Priest.
... 2. Over this he wore a linen vestment, made of fine ... Chethone, and denotes linen,
for we call linen by the ... a little above the elbows, by a girdle often going ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 concerning the garments.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... which covered his shoulders and his breast down to the girdle; and it was made of
gold, and violet and purple, and scarlet twice dyed and twisted linen: and on ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

Book ix. On Jerusalem and Her Enemies
... and purple and scarlet goats' hair and complicated linen. ... under the buckle the work
was made entirely of ... The girdle is the golden arrangement before the cross ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/book ix on jerusalem and.htm

On Clothes.
... Elias used a sheepskin mantle, and fastened the sheepskin with a girdle made of
hair. ... And if you call Jeremiah, he had only "a linen girdle." [1542]. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi name clothes.htm

High Priest
... of his dress, which being made of linen signified the ... The ephod showed that God had
made the universe of ... The girdle signified the sea, which goes around the ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
... 2], and a leathern girdle about his loins [The loose skirts worn in the East required
a girdle to bind them to the body. This was usually made of linen or silk ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xvii john the baptists person.htm

Devout Customs and Usages
... crossed on the breast, and passed under the girdle. ... but the dress of the Priest,
made sacred by ... but the custom of wearing only white linen vestments prevails ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/devout customs and usages.htm

A Description of the Temple.
... them by reason of their stock, but still made use of ... and had on an inner garment
of linen, together with a ... But that girdle that tied the garment to the breast ...
/.../chapter 5 a description of 2.htm

The Christ Child (Christmas Day. )
... he might end at the end; and being made in all ... the foot, and girt about the paps
with a golden girdle. ... him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xviii the christ child.htm

The Day of Atonement
... upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre
shall ... in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm