Definition and Description:
A swaddlingband refers to the cloths or strips of fabric used to wrap a newborn infant tightly. This practice was common in ancient times and is mentioned in the Bible in the context of the birth of Jesus Christ. Swaddlingbands were used to provide warmth, security, and a sense of comfort to the infant, mimicking the conditions of the womb.

Biblical References:
The most notable mention of swaddlingbands in the Bible is found in the account of the birth of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Luke, it is recorded: "And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7). This passage highlights the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth, emphasizing His identification with the lowly and the marginalized.

Swaddlingbands are also mentioned in the Old Testament, where they are used metaphorically to describe God's care and provision. In the book of Job, God speaks of His creation of the earth, saying, "When I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, and I declared: ‘You may come this far, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop’" (Job 38:9-11). Here, the imagery of swaddlingbands is used to convey God's sovereign control and nurturing care over creation.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, swaddling was a common practice. It was believed to help the infant grow straight and strong, and it provided a sense of security. The use of swaddlingbands was not unique to Jewish culture but was widespread across various civilizations of the time.

The mention of swaddlingbands in the account of Jesus' birth serves to underscore the humility and simplicity of His entrance into the world. Born in a manger and wrapped in simple cloths, Jesus' birth was a stark contrast to the expectations of a royal or messianic arrival. This humble beginning is a profound theological statement about the nature of Christ's mission and His identification with humanity.

Theological Significance:
The use of swaddlingbands in the nativity account carries deep theological implications. It signifies the incarnation of Christ, God becoming flesh and dwelling among us in the most humble of circumstances. The swaddlingbands symbolize the vulnerability and humanity of Jesus, who, though fully divine, entered the world as a helpless infant.

Furthermore, the imagery of swaddlingbands can be seen as a foreshadowing of the burial cloths that would later wrap Jesus after His crucifixion. This connection between His birth and death highlights the purpose of His coming—to live a life of perfect obedience and to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity.

In summary, swaddlingbands in the biblical narrative serve as a powerful symbol of humility, divine care, and the profound mystery of the incarnation. They remind believers of the extraordinary way in which God chose to enter the world and the ultimate purpose of Christ's life and ministry.SWADDLE; SWADDLING-BAND

swod'-'-l, swod'-ling-band (verb chathal, "enwrap," "swaddle" (Ezekiel 16:4), noun chathullah, "swaddling-band" (Job 38:9); verb sparganoo, "to wrap in swaddling clothes" (Luke 2:7, 12), noun spargana (pl.), "swaddling clothes" (The Wisdom of Solomon 7:4). the King James Version also has "swaddle" (Lamentations 2:22) for Taphach, literally, "to extend." But the word means "to carry on the outstretched palms of the hands" (compare Tippuchim, "dandled in the hands," Lamentations 2:20), whence RV's "to dandle"): "To swaddle" and "to swathe" are really the same word, both forms going back to an AS form swethel, "a bandage," but "swaddle" has become the technical term for the wrapping of an infant in the Orient or elsewhere. The oriental swaddling-clothes consist of a square of cloth and two or more bandages. The child is laid on the cloth diagonally and the corners are folded over the feet and body and under the head, the bandages then being tied so as to hold the cloth in position. This device forms the clothing of the child until it is about a year old, and its omission (Ezekiel 16:4) would be a token that the child had been abandoned. The mention of darkness as a "swaddling-band" at the birth of the sea (Job 38:9) is only a poetic way of saying that the sea, at its creation, was covered with clouds and darkness, and to find any idea of restraint involved is fanciful.

Burton Scott Easton

Swaddlingband (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Swaddlingband (1 Occurrence). Job 38:9 When I made the
cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, (KJV JPS) ...
/s/swaddlingband.htm - 8k

Swaddling (3 Occurrences)
... Job 38:9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a
swaddlingband for it, (Root in KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/s/swaddling.htm - 7k

Swaddling-band (1 Occurrence)
Swaddling-band. Swaddlingband, Swaddling-band. Swaddling-clothes . Int. ...
Swaddlingband, Swaddling-band. Swaddling-clothes . Reference Bible.
/s/swaddling-band.htm - 8k

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