In the context of the Bible, the term "paddle" is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Deuteronomy. The Hebrew word translated as "paddle" is "יָתֵד" (yated), which can also mean a peg or a pin. This term is used in a practical context related to cleanliness and sanitation for the Israelites during their wilderness journey.

Biblical Reference:

· Deuteronomy 23:13 : "And you must have a digging tool in your equipment so that when you relieve yourself, you can dig a hole and cover up your excrement."

In this passage, the "paddle" or "digging tool" is part of the instructions given to the Israelites regarding maintaining cleanliness in their camp. The directive is part of a broader set of laws that emphasize holiness and the importance of keeping the camp pure, as God dwelt among them. The practical use of the paddle was to ensure that waste was properly buried, thus preventing defilement and promoting hygiene.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The instruction to carry a paddle for sanitary purposes reflects the broader Mosaic Law's concern with both physical and spiritual cleanliness. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where the Israelites were often encamped in close quarters, such regulations were crucial for public health and the community's overall well-being. The law underscores the principle that God's people were to be distinct in their practices, even in mundane matters, reflecting their covenant relationship with Him.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the inclusion of such a practical command in the Law highlights the comprehensive nature of God's instructions to His people. It illustrates that holiness and obedience to God encompass all areas of life, including personal and communal hygiene. The command to use a paddle for sanitation purposes serves as a reminder that God's presence among His people required them to maintain both spiritual and physical purity.

Application:

While the specific command to use a paddle for sanitation is not directly applicable to modern believers, the underlying principle of maintaining purity and cleanliness remains relevant. Christians are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness, which includes caring for the body and the environment. The passage encourages believers to consider how their daily practices can honor God and serve as a testimony to His presence in their lives.1. (v. i.) To use the hands or fingers in toying; to make caressing strokes.

2. (v. i.) To dabble in water with hands or feet; to use a paddle, or something which serves as a paddle, in swimming, in paddling a boat, etc.

3. (v. t.) To pat or stroke amorously, or gently.

4. (v. t.) To propel with, or as with, a paddle or paddles.

5. (v. t.) To pad; to tread upon; to trample.

6. (n.) An implement with a broad blade, which is used without a fixed fulcrum in propelling and steering canoes and boats.

7. (n.) The broad part of a paddle, with which the stroke is made; hence, any short, broad blade, resembling that of a paddle.

8. (n.) One of the broad boards, or floats, at the circumference of a water wheel, or paddle wheel.

9. (n.) A small gate in sluices or lock gates to admit or let off water; -- also called clough.

10. (n.) A paddle-shaped foot, as of the sea turtle.

11. (n.) A paddle-shaped implement for string or mixing.

12. (v. i.) See Paddle staff (b), below.

PADDLE

pad'-'-l (yathedh): Deuteronomy 23:13 (Hebrew 14), the Revised Version margin "shovel."

3489. yathed -- a peg, pin
... nail, paddle, pin, stake. From an unused root meaning to pin through or fast; a
peg -- nail, paddle, pin, stake. 3488, 3489. yathed. 3490 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/3489.htm - 6k

240. azen -- implements, tools
... weapon. From 'azan; a spade or paddle (as having a broad end) -- weapon. see
HEBREW 'azan. 239, 240. azen. 241 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/240.htm - 6k

Outward Bound
... rain, of lounging on the main-deck, watching the engines, and watching, too (for
it was calm at night), the water from the sponson behind the paddle-boxes; as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter i outward bound.htm

The Conquest of Babylon.
... They kept their craft in the middle of the stream by means of two oars, or, rather,
an oar and a paddle, which were worked, the first at the bows, and the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter viii the conquest of.htm

A Sermon on the Boat Race.
... Just before the Starter gives the word to go, the men paddle till the cord which
the coxswain holds at arm's length is tight, and every man has his oar ready ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxi a sermon on the.htm

Fear and Faith
... The midnight sea lies all black; but when it is cut into by the oar, or divided
and churned by the paddle, it flashes up into phosphorescence, and so it is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/fear and faith.htm

The Plagues
... The boat rode half its depth in red, the paddle dripped red, the splashes of water
within on the bottom were red, the sun shone broadly into the mirroring red ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxix the plagues.htm

A Total Wreck, all Hands Saved
... The 'rudder-bands'"that is, the lashings which had secured the two paddle-like rudders,
one on either beam, which had been tied up to be out of the way when ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a total wreck all hands.htm

Archelaus's Ethnarchy is Reduced into a [Roman] Province. The ...
... Nay, on other days they dig a small pit, a foot deep, with a paddle [which kind
of hatchet is given them when they are first admitted among them]; and covering ...
/.../chapter 8 archelauss ethnarchy is.htm

Whither Goest Thou?
... strength"? Those words sound to me like great strokes of the soul's paddle
wheels! They urge us to press forward in the holy voyage. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/whither goest thou.htm

Acts XXVII
... While lying at anchor, the rudders, which were merely paddle-rudders, one at each
side of the stern, had been lashed up, to prevent them from fouling with the ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxvii.htm

The Procession of Amen
... He pushed it off, stepped into it, and turned it broadside to them. "See here, the
scarab of Ptah," he said, tapping the bow with a paddle, "and the name of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter iv the procession of.htm

Paddle (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vi) To dabble in water with hands or feet; to use a paddle, or something
which serves as a paddle, in swimming, in paddling a boat, etc. ...
/p/paddle.htm - 8k

Paddle-rudders (1 Occurrence)
Paddle-rudders. Paddle, Paddle-rudders. Padon . Multi-Version
Concordance Paddle-rudders (1 Occurrence). Acts 27:40 ...
/p/paddle-rudders.htm - 6k

Paddan-aram (10 Occurrences)
Paddan-aram. Paddanaram, Paddan-aram. Paddle . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ...
(See JPS ASV BBE NAS RSV). Paddanaram, Paddan-aram. Paddle . Reference
/p/paddan-aram.htm - 10k

Unloosing (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 27:40 So they cut away the anchors and left them in the sea, unloosing
at the same time the bands which secured the paddle-rudders. ...
/u/unloosing.htm - 6k

Loosing (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:40 So they cut away the anchors and left them in the sea, unloosing
at the same time the bands which secured the paddle-rudders. ...
/l/loosing.htm - 8k

Guard (185 Occurrences)
... of a vessel beyond the hull; esp., in side-wheel steam vessels, the framework of
strong timbers, which curves out on each side beyond the paddle wheel, and ...
/g/guard.htm - 55k

Weapon (21 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 23:13 and you shall have a paddle among your weapons; and it shall be,
when you sit down abroad, you shall dig therewith, and shall turn back and ...
/w/weapon.htm - 14k

Weapons (66 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 23:13 and you shall have a paddle among your weapons; and it shall be,
when you sit down abroad, you shall dig therewith, and shall turn back and ...
/w/weapons.htm - 27k

Fuller (5 Occurrences)
... with the powdered ashes of the ishnan, locally called qali, and then beaten in heaps
on a flat stone either with another stone or with a large wooden paddle. ...
/f/fuller.htm - 10k

Paddle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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