In biblical times, the concept of a "pocket" as understood in modern terms did not exist. However, the idea of carrying small items in a secure manner was present. The closest equivalent to a pocket in ancient times would be pouches or folds in garments used to carry money, small tools, or other personal items.

Garments and Pouches

The clothing worn during biblical times often included tunics and cloaks, which could have folds or sashes where items might be stored. For instance, the girdle or belt was a common accessory that could be used to secure items. In 2 Kings 4:39, we see a reference to a "lap" or fold in the garment: "One went out into the field to gather herbs and found a wild vine and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were" . This "lapful" suggests a fold or part of the garment used to carry items.

Money Bags and Pouches

The Bible frequently mentions money bags or pouches, which served a similar function to pockets for carrying valuables. In the New Testament, Jesus instructs His disciples in Luke 10:4, "Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road" . Here, the "purse" or "bag" would have been a small pouch used to carry money or other essentials.

Symbolism and Usage

The use of pouches or folds in garments can also carry symbolic meaning in Scripture. In Haggai 1:6, the prophet speaks of futility and loss: "You have sown much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough; you drink, but never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes" . This imagery of a bag with holes symbolizes the futility of human efforts without God's blessing.

Cultural Context

In the cultural context of the Bible, the absence of modern pockets did not hinder the carrying of necessary items. People adapted their clothing and accessories to meet their needs, using sashes, belts, and pouches. These methods reflect the resourcefulness and practicality of ancient societies.

Practical Implications

The biblical references to carrying items in folds or pouches remind believers of the importance of stewardship and the wise management of resources. Just as ancient people used their garments to carry essentials, Christians today are called to use their resources wisely and for God's glory. The imagery of a "bag with holes" serves as a caution against wastefulness and a reminder of the need for divine provision and blessing.1. (n.) A bag or pouch; especially; a small bag inserted in a garment for carrying small articles, particularly money; hence, figuratively, money; wealth.

2. (n.) One of several bags attached to a billiard table, into which the balls are driven.

3. (n.) A large bag or sack used in packing various articles, as ginger, hops, cowries, etc.

4. (n.) A hole or space covered by a movable piece of board, as in a floor, boxing, partitions, or the like.

5. (n.) A cavity in a rock containing a nugget of gold, or other mineral; a small body of ore contained in such a cavity.

6. (n.) A hole containing water.

7. (n.) A strip of canvas, sewn upon a sail so that a batten or a light spar can placed in the interspace.

8. (n.) Same as Pouch.

9. (v. t.) To put, or conceal, in the pocket; as, to pocket the change.

10. (v. t.) To take clandestinely or fraudulently.

2223. zone -- a belt
... belt, pocket, purse. Probably akin to the base of zugos; a belt; by implication,
a pocket -- girdle, purse. see GREEK zugos. (zonas) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2223.htm - 7k

2859. kolpos -- the bosom
... and plur: bosom; (sinus) the overhanging fold of the garment used as a
pocket, (b) a bay, gulf. 2859 -- properly, the upper part ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2859.htm - 6k

2833. choshen -- breastpiece, sacred pouch
... From an unused root probably meaning to contain or sparkle; perhaps a pocket (as
holding the Urim and Thummim), or rich (as containing gems), used only of the ...
/hebrew/2833.htm - 6k

2754. charit -- bag, purse
... bag, crisping pin. Or charit {khaw-reet'}; from the same as cheret; properly, cut
out (or hollow), ie (by implication) a pocket -- bag, crisping pin. ...
/hebrew/2754.htm - 6k

One Day when Old Diamond was Standing with his Nose in his Bag ...
... He was pleased to find it so clean, for the streets were muddy, and he had nice
boots on; so he put his hand in his pocket, and gave the girl a penny. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 19 one day when.htm

Spurgeon and the Little Orphan.
... them had aunts and some cousins, and that every boy had some friend that took an
interest in him, and came to see him and gave him a little pocket money, and ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/spurgeon and the little orphan.htm

How to Work God's Joy-Machine
... Then Brother Joyful took a penny from his pocket and dropped it into the
slot. The indicator immediately flew around on the dial. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk forty-five how to work.htm

Preparation for Service
... of the matter simply was that I could trust in GOD plus one-and-sixpence, but was
not yet prepared to trust Him only, without any money at all in my pocket. ...
/.../taylor/a retrospect/chapter iii preparation for service.htm

Lost Earnings
... From the boy who, by holding a horse, or running errands, earns threepence, and
puts it into a pocket with a hole at the bottom, to the man or woman who puts ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xiv lost earnings.htm

If You have Enjoyed this Book, Consider Making Your Next Selection ...
... 35.00. The Way of Divine Love. (pocket, unabr.). Menendez . . . . . ... 8.00.
Purgatory Explained. (pocket, unabr.). Schouppe. . . . . ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/if you have enjoyed this.htm

The Power of God's Word to Deliver Men from Sin.
... his work he handed one to a man who was just embarking on a voyage to China, and
with an oath the sailor took it, crumpled it up and thrust it into his pocket. ...
/.../pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/ii the power of gods.htm

Diamond Said Nothing to his Mother About his Adventures. ...
... Diamond could not bear it. He had a penny in his pocket, a gift of the same lady
the day before, and he tumbled off his horse to give it to the girl. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 5 diamond said nothing.htm

Peculiar Effects of Money.
... It is often stricken with a sort of palsy while in the pocket, and cannot be withdrawn. ...
And unmellowed gold acts in the same way upon the mouth of the pocket. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/peculiar effects of money.htm

Practical Righteousness
... theological word, and by much usage the lettering has got to be all but obliterated
upon it; and it is worn smooth like sixpences that go from pocket to pocket ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/practical righteousness.htm

Pocket (3 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) Same as Pouch. 9. (vt) To put, or conceal, in the pocket; as, to pocket
the change. 10. ... Multi-Version Concordance Pocket (3 Occurrences). ...
/p/pocket.htm - 8k

Kick (8 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The projection on the tang of the blade of a pocket knife, which
prevents the edge of the blade from striking the spring. ...
/k/kick.htm - 10k

Lose (59 Occurrences)
... or unwillingly, as by accident, misfortune, negligence, penalty, forfeit, etc.;
to be deprived of; as, to lose money from one's purse or pocket, or in business ...
/l/lose.htm - 24k

Gopher (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) One of several North American burrowing rodents of the genera Geomys and
Thomomys, of the family Geomyidae; -- called also pocket gopher and pouched rat ...
/g/gopher.htm - 9k

Folds (18 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Psalms 74:11 Why do you draw back your hand,
even your right hand? Take it out of your pocket and consume them! (See NIV). ...
/f/folds.htm - 11k

Tablet (7 Occurrences)
... inscription or a picture. 3. (n.) Hence, a small picture; a miniature. 4.
(n.) A kind of pocket memorandum book. 5. (n.) A flattish ...
/t/tablet.htm - 15k

Tuck (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To enclose; to put within; to press into a close place; as, to tuck a child
into a bed; to tuck a book under one's arm, or into a pocket. ...
/t/tuck.htm - 8k

Dress (38 Occurrences)
... It was confined to the waist by a girdle, and the fold formed by the overlapping
of the robe served as a pocket (2 Kings 4:39; Psalm 79:12; Haggai 2:12 ...
/d/dress.htm - 53k

Pockets (2 Occurrences)

/p/pockets.htm - 6k

Pick (37 Occurrences)
... remove something from with a pointed instrument, with the fingers, or with the teeth;
as, to pick the teeth; to pick a bone; to pick a goose; to pick a pocket. ...
/p/pick.htm - 18k

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