Topical Bible: Ropes

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Topical Encyclopedia

Ropes in the Bible serve as significant tools and symbols, appearing in various contexts throughout the Scriptures. They are often associated with binding, securing, and sometimes deliverance or betrayal. The use of ropes reflects both practical and metaphorical meanings, illustrating themes of strength, captivity, and salvation.

Old Testament References

1. Binding and Captivity: Ropes are frequently mentioned in the context of binding individuals, often as a means of captivity or control. In Judges 15:13, Samson is bound with new ropes by the men of Judah to be delivered to the Philistines: "They said to him, 'No, we will not kill you, but we will tie you up securely and hand you over to them.' So they bound him with two new ropes and led him up from the rock." This instance highlights the use of ropes as instruments of restraint.

2. Construction and Measurement: Ropes were also used in construction and measurement. In the building of the tabernacle, ropes were likely used to secure the tent and its coverings. Although not explicitly mentioned, ropes would have been essential in the practical assembly of such structures.

3. Symbol of Strength and Weakness: In the account of Samson, ropes symbolize both strength and weakness. Despite being bound, Samson's God-given strength allows him to break free: "The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and the ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands" (Judges 15:14).

New Testament References

1. Escape and Deliverance: In the New Testament, ropes are associated with escape and deliverance. In Acts 9:25, the disciples use ropes to lower Paul in a basket through an opening in the city wall to escape from Damascus: "But his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall." This act of deliverance underscores the role of ropes in facilitating God's plans and protection.

2. Shipwreck and Survival: During Paul's journey to Rome, ropes are used to secure the ship amidst a violent storm. Acts 27:17 describes how the sailors "passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together." This practical use of ropes highlights their importance in ensuring survival and stability during perilous times.

Metaphorical and Symbolic Uses

1. Symbol of Sin and Bondage: Ropes can symbolize the bondage of sin and the entanglement of iniquity. Proverbs 5:22 states, "The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him; he is caught in the cords of his sin." Here, ropes metaphorically represent the entrapment and consequences of sinful behavior.

2. Hope and Deliverance: Conversely, ropes can also symbolize hope and deliverance. The scarlet cord used by Rahab in Joshua 2:18-21 serves as a sign of her faith and the promise of salvation for her and her family. This cord, akin to a rope, becomes a symbol of God's mercy and deliverance.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient times, ropes were made from various materials, including flax, hemp, and other plant fibers. They were essential for daily life, used in agriculture, construction, and transportation. The biblical references to ropes reflect their integral role in the ancient Near Eastern culture and their symbolic significance in conveying spiritual truths.

Ropes in the Bible, therefore, are not merely physical objects but carry deeper meanings that resonate with themes of bondage, strength, deliverance, and hope. Through their various uses and symbolic representations, ropes contribute to the rich tapestry of biblical narrative and theology.

Greek

2202. zeukteria -- bands, ropes
... bands, ropes. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: zeukteria Phonetic
Spelling: (dzook-tay-ree'-ah) Short Definition: a band, fastening Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2202.htm - 6k

996. boetheia -- help
... 996 () is also used of the help provided by ropes (tackle, etc.).]. Word Origin
from boetheo Definition help NASB Word Usage help (1), supporting cables (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/996.htm - 7k

4979. schoinion -- a rope (made of rushes)
... Word Origin dim. of schoinos (a rush) Definition a rope (made of rushes)
NASB Word Usage cords (1), ropes (1). small cord, rope. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4979.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

2256a. chebel -- cord, territory, band
... cords (13), group (2), line (4), lines (2), measurement (1), measuring line (1),
noose (1), portion (3), portions (2), region (5), rope (1), ropes (7), seacoast ...
/hebrew/2256a.htm - 5k

2259. chobel -- sailor
... pilot, shipmaster. Active participle from chabal (in the sense of handling ropes);
a sailor -- pilot, shipmaster. see HEBREW chabal. 2258, 2259. chobel. 2260 ...
/hebrew/2259.htm - 6k

8458. tachbulah -- direction, counsel
... Or tachbuwlah {takh-boo-law'}; from chabal as denominative from chebel; (only in
plural) properly, steerage (as a management of ropes), ie (figuratively ...
/hebrew/8458.htm - 6k

4340. methar -- cord, string
... Definition: cords. Word Origin from yathar Definition cord, string NASB Word
Usage bowstrings (1), cords (7), ropes (1). cord, string. From ...
/hebrew/4340.htm - 6k

2260. chibbel -- probably a mast
... mast From chabal (in the sense of furnished with ropes); a mast -- mast. see HEBREW
chabal. 2259, 2260. chibbel. 2260a . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2260.htm - 5k

5688. aboth -- cord, rope, cordage
... Word Origin from abath Definition cord, rope, cordage NASB Word Usage bonds
(1), clouds (1), cordage (3), corded (1), cords (8), ropes (8). ...
/hebrew/5688.htm - 6k

Library

Raising of the Cross.
... When the executioners had finished the crucifixion of our Lord, they tied ropes
to the trunk of the cross, and fastened the ends of these ropes round a long ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxxix raising of the.htm

The Carrying of the Cross.
... By means of ropes, which the executioners had fastened to the foot of the cross,
two archers supported it to prevent its getting entangled in anything, and ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxx the carrying of.htm

A Strong Man who Lost his Strength
... You have deceived me and lied to me; now tell me with what you can be bound fast."
He said to her, "If they should bind me securely with new ropes with which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a strong man who lost.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... The lifelong occupation of the ungodly man is to twist ropes of sin. All his sins
are as so much twine and cord out of which ropes may be made. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 16 1870/sinners bound with the cords.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... The lifelong occupation of the ungodly man is to twist ropes of sin. All his sins
are as so much twine and cord out of which ropes may be made. ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/sinners bound with the cords.htm

Paul's Shipwreck
... in the ship's boat. After lifting it on board, the men used ropes to bind
together the lower part of the ship. As they were afraid ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/pauls shipwreck.htm

The Nailing of Jesus to the Cross.
... were eighteen archers on the platform; the six who had scourged Jesus, the four
who had conducted him to Calvary, the two who held the ropes which supported ...
/.../chapter xxxviii the nailing of.htm

Jesus is Arrested.
... They then fastened four ropes to different parts of the belt, and by means of these
ropes dragged our Blessed Lord from side to side in the most cruel manner. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter iii jesus is arrested.htm

Book vii. On the Useful or the Ordinary
... The ropes are fortune or heredity; in the psalm: they have beaten me with splendid
ropes. ropes are also sins; woe to you who bear sins or long ropes. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/book vii on the useful.htm

References
... 16. For a collection of probably genuine Agrapha see Ropes, Die Spruche
Jesu, 154-161, and Amer. Jour. ... He is criticised by Ropes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/references.htm

Thesaurus

Ropes (32 Occurrences)
...Ropes (32 Occurrences). ... There descended what seemed to be an enormous sail, being
let down from the sky by ropes at the four corners, and it came close to me. ...
/r/ropes.htm - 16k

Cart-ropes (1 Occurrence)
Cart-ropes. Cart-rope, Cart-ropes. Carts . Multi-Version Concordance
Cart-ropes (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 5:18 Woe unto ...
/c/cart-ropes.htm - 6k

Cord (47 Occurrences)
... Such ropes or cords are made of goat's or camel's hair, first spun into threads
and then twisted or plaited into the larger and stronger form. ...
/c/cord.htm - 27k

Rope (10 Occurrences)
... braiding, twining, etc.; as, a rope of onions. 3. (n.) The small intestines;
as, the ropes of birds. 4. (vi) To be formed into rope; to ...
/r/rope.htm - 11k

Sail (32 Occurrences)
... Acts 10:11 The sky had opened to his view, and what seemed to be an enormous sail
was descending, being let down to the earth by ropes at the four corners. ...
/s/sail.htm - 17k

Waists (5 Occurrences)
... Please let us put sackcloth on our bodies, and ropes on our heads, and go out
to the king of Israel. Maybe he will save your life." (See NIV). ...
/w/waists.htm - 8k

Enormous (5 Occurrences)
... Acts 10:11 The sky had opened to his view, and what seemed to be an enormous sail
was descending, being let down to the earth by ropes at the four corners. ...
/e/enormous.htm - 8k

Deli'lah (6 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:12 So Deli'lah took new ropes and bound him with them, and said to him,
"The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" And the men lying in wait were in an ...
/d/deli'lah.htm - 8k

Cart-rope (1 Occurrence)
Cart-rope. Cart, Cart-rope. Cart-ropes . ... Isaiah 5:18 Woe unto them that draw
iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as with cart-ropes! (Root in DBY WBS). ...
/c/cart-rope.htm - 6k

Cordage (3 Occurrences)
... (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. ...
/c/cordage.htm - 7k

Resources

Who were the sons of Korah in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Ithamar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about passivity / being passive? | GotQuestions.org

Ropes: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Ropes (32 Occurrences)

Acts 10:11
The sky had opened to his view, and what seemed to be an enormous sail was descending, being let down to the earth by ropes at the four corners.
(WEY)

Acts 11:5
"While I was in the town of Jaffa, offering prayer," he said, "in a trance I saw a vision. There descended what seemed to be an enormous sail, being let down from the sky by ropes at the four corners, and it came close to me.
(WEY)

Acts 27:17
After they had hoisted it up, they used cables to help reinforce the ship. Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along.
(See NIV)

Acts 27:32
Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let it fall off.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 27:40
Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time untying the rudder ropes. Hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 35:18
the pins of the tabernacle, the pins of the court, and their cords;
(See NIV)

Exodus 39:40
the hangings of the court, its pillars, its sockets, the screen for the gate of the court, its cords, its pins, all the instruments of the service of the tabernacle, for the Tent of Meeting,
(See NIV)

Numbers 3:26
and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and around the altar, and its cords for all of its service.
(See NIV)

Numbers 3:37
the pillars of the court around it, their sockets, their pins, and their cords.
(See NIV)

Numbers 4:26
and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and around the altar, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and whatever shall be done with them. Therein shall they serve.
(See NIV)

Numbers 4:32
and the pillars of the court around it, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name you shall appoint the instruments of the duty of their burden.
(See NIV)

Judges 15:13
They spoke to him, saying, "No; but we will bind you fast, and deliver you into their hand; but surely we will not kill you." They bound him with two new ropes, and brought him up from the rock.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 15:14
When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him: and the Spirit of Yahweh came mightily on him, and the ropes that were on his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands dropped from off his hands.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 16:11
He said to her, "If they only bind me with new ropes with which no work has been done, then shall I become weak, and be as another man."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 16:12
So Delilah took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said to him, "The Philistines are on you, Samson!" The ambush was waiting in the inner chamber. He broke them off his arms like a thread.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 17:13
Moreover, if he be gone into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there isn't one small stone found there."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 20:31
His servants said to him, "See now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth on our bodies, and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel. Maybe he will save your life."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 20:32
So they put sackcloth on their bodies and ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, "Your servant Ben Hadad says,'Please let me live.'" He said, "Is he still alive? He is my brother."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 39:5
"Who has set the wild donkey free? Or who has loosened the bonds of the swift donkey,
(See NIV)

Job 39:10
Can you hold the wild ox in the furrow with his harness? Or will he till the valleys after you?
(See NAS RSV)

Psalms 119:61
The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won't forget your law.
(WEB NIV)

Proverbs 5:22
His own iniquities do capture the wicked, And with the ropes of his sin he is holden.
(YLT)

Isaiah 5:18
Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as with cart-ropes!
(DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 33:20
Let your eyes be resting on Zion, the town of our holy feasts: you will see Jerusalem, a quiet resting-place, a tent which will not be moved, whose tent-pins will never be pulled up, and whose cords will never be broken.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 33:23
Left have been thy ropes, They strengthen not rightly their mast, They have not spread out a sail, Then apportioned hath been a prey of much spoil, The lame have taken spoil.
(YLT)

Jeremiah 10:20
My tent is destroyed, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth from me, and they are no more: there is none to spread my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.
(See NAS NIV)

Jeremiah 38:6
Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchijah the king's son, that was in the court of the guard: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. In the dungeon there was no water, but mire; and Jeremiah sank in the mire.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 38:11
So Ebedmelech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took there rags and worn-out garments, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 38:12
Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, Put now these rags and worn-out garments under your armpits under the cords. Jeremiah did so.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 38:13
So they drew up Jeremiah with the cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 3:25
But you, son of man, behold, they shall lay bands on you, and shall bind you with them, and you shall not go out among them:
(See NAS NIV)

Ezekiel 4:8
Behold, I lay bands on you, and you shall not turn you from one side to the other, until you have accomplished the days of your siege.
(See NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Ropes

Related Terms

Sharon (9 Occurrences)

Beer-sheba (33 Occurrences)

Saddled (11 Occurrences)

Concubine (21 Occurrences)

Ambush (39 Occurrences)

Surrounded (51 Occurrences)

Beersheba (33 Occurrences)

Early (157 Occurrences)

Indulge (12 Occurrences)