In biblical times, the term "thong" refers to a strip of leather or similar material used for binding or fastening. Thongs were commonly used in various aspects of daily life, including as components of footwear, tools, and even in religious practices. The use of thongs is mentioned in several contexts within the Bible, highlighting their practical and symbolic significance.

Footwear and Clothing

Thongs were an essential part of ancient footwear, particularly sandals. Sandals were typically made of a flat sole secured to the foot by leather thongs. This type of footwear is frequently mentioned in the Bible, illustrating the everyday attire of people in biblical times. For instance, in Mark 1:7 , John the Baptist speaks of the Messiah, saying, "After me will come one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie." This reference to sandal thongs underscores the humility and reverence John felt towards Jesus.

Tools and Implements

Thongs were also used in the construction of tools and implements. They served as binding materials, holding together various components of tools or weapons. In Judges 15:13-14 , Samson is bound with new ropes, which can be understood as thongs or similar materials, before he breaks free through divine empowerment: "As he approached Lehi, the Philistines came toward him shouting. The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands."

Religious and Symbolic Use

In addition to their practical applications, thongs held symbolic meaning in certain religious contexts. The act of untying or loosening thongs could represent humility, servitude, or the fulfillment of a vow. In Isaiah 58:6 , the prophet speaks of true fasting, which involves acts of justice and mercy: "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" Here, the imagery of loosening thongs is used metaphorically to describe liberation and the breaking of oppressive bonds.

Cultural and Historical Context

Understanding the use of thongs in biblical times requires an appreciation of the cultural and historical context. Leatherworking was a common trade, and leather goods, including thongs, were widely used across various aspects of life. The durability and flexibility of leather made it an ideal material for crafting items that required strength and resilience.

In summary, thongs in the Bible are depicted as practical tools integral to daily life, as well as symbols of humility, servitude, and liberation. Their mention in Scripture provides insight into the material culture of the ancient Near East and the spiritual lessons conveyed through everyday objects.(n.) A strap of leather; especially, one used for fastening anything.2438. himas -- a thong, strap
... a thong, strap. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: himas Phonetic
Spelling: (hee-mas') Short Definition: a thong, strap Definition: a thong, strap ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2438.htm - 6k8288. serok -- (sandal) thong
... (sandal) thong. Transliteration: serok Phonetic Spelling: (ser-oke') Short Definition:
strap. ... From sarak; a thong (as laced or tied) -- ((shoe-)) latchet. ...
/hebrew/8288.htm - 6k

1517. gid -- sinew
... sinew. Probably from guwd; a thong (as compressing); by analogy, a tendon -- sinew.
see HEBREW guwd. 1516, 1517. gid. 1518 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1517.htm - 6k

I Will Follow the Order of Your Letter, and Subjoin Your Very ...
... I am not going to administer the ferule; I do not assume, as you put it, to apply
the strokes of the leather thong to teach an aged pupil his letters. ...
/.../6 i will follow the.htm

Justice Satisfied
... and listen to those stripes, those bloody scourges, and as they fall upon his devoted
back and plough deep furrows there, dost thou see thong-full after thong ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/justice satisfied.htm

Home-Discipline.
... In the language of Cowper". "Plants raised with tenderness are seldom strong; Man's
coltish disposition asks the thong; And without discipline, the favorite ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xix home-discipline.htm

The Foot-Washing.
... worn, and were not worn at all within doors; and where some protection to the foot
was worn, it was commonly a mere sandal, a sole tied on with a thong. ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/vi the foot-washing.htm

Isaiah
... See! hastily, swiftly he comes, None weary, none stumbling among them, The band
of his loins never loosed, The thong of his shoes never torn. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/isaiah.htm

A Long Time Coming.
... other thing. It is of Jesus Himself standing on that hilltop. His face is
all scarred and marred, thorn-torn and thong-cut. But it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/a long time coming.htm

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price. The Formation and ...
... captured, the catching of the troop subject to it costs no trouble, as not one of
those in the troop remains stationary, but as if bound by a thong follows the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/7 the parable of the.htm

Letter iii. To Bassula, his Mother-In-Law.
... If it were lawful that parents should be summoned to court by their children, clearly
I might drag you with a righteous thong [64] before the tribunal of the ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /letter iii to bassula his.htm

We Wish, Then, to Question You, and Invite You to Answer a Short ...
... all cry out immediately that something has been done contrary to the sacredness
of the ceremonies; or if the boy termed patrimus let go the thong in ignorance ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/31 we wish then to.htm

John's First Testimony to Jesus.
... The Talmud says, "Every office a servant will do for his master, a scholar should
perform for his teacher, except loosing his sandal-thong." The greatest ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xx johns first testimony to.htm

Thong (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Thong (5 Occurrences). ... John 1:27 he who comes after me,
the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to unloose. (DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/t/thong.htm - 8k

Sandal-thong (2 Occurrences)
Sandal-thong. Sandal-strap, Sandal-thong. Sandal-wood . Multi-Version
Concordance Sandal-thong (2 Occurrences). Genesis ...
/s/sandal-thong.htm - 7k

Thongs (7 Occurrences)
... Mark 1:7 He preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong
of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. (See NIV). ...
/t/thongs.htm - 8k

Latchet (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A thong (Acts 22:25), cord, or strap fastening the sandal
on the foot (Isaiah 5:27; Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/l/latchet.htm - 8k

Lash (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The thong or braided cord of a whip,
with which the blow is given. 2. (n.) A leash in which an ...
/l/lash.htm - 8k

Fit (47 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY). Mark 1:7 And he preached, saying, There comes he that is mightier than
I after me, the thong of whose sandals I am not fit to stoop down and unloose. ...
/f/fit.htm - 23k

Sandals (30 Occurrences)
... Mark 1:7 He preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong
of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. ...
/s/sandals.htm - 16k

Untie (10 Occurrences)
... Mark 1:7 He preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong
of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/u/untie.htm - 9k

Leather (34 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The skin. 3. (vt) To beat, as with a thong of leather. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. LEATHER. leth'-er. See SKIN; GIRDLE; TANNER. ...
/l/leather.htm - 17k

Leash (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A thong of leather, or a long cord,
by which a falconer holds his hawk, or a courser his dog. ...
/l/leash.htm - 7k

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