Lexical Summary chagor: girded Original Word: חָגוֹר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance girded with From chagar; belted -- girded with. see HEBREW chagar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chagar Definition girded NASB Translation girded (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [חָגוֺר] adjective girt, girded, only plural construct; חֲגוֺרֵי אֵזוֺר Ezekiel 23:15 girded with a waist-cloth. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Physical Function The term designates the decorated or utilitarian belt or sash worn around the waist in the Ancient Near East. Besides keeping the long outer garment gathered for ease of movement, such belts served as places to secure tools, money-pouches, or weapons. Materials ranged from simple woven cloth to embroidered linen and embossed leather; the quality and ornamentation signaled the wearer’s station. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Proverbs 31:24 – presented as a finished product of the virtuous woman’s cottage industry. Although the word itself appears only twice, both contexts echo wider biblical themes of girding for work, battle, or worship. Cultural and Historical Background Archaeology and pictorial reliefs from Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon show belts fastened over tunics, often supporting daggers or tools. In peacetime the sash might bear an ornate clasp or be dyed with expensive colors, functioning as jewelry. Among merchants, a fine belt could double as negotiable property; among soldiers, the item was integral to armor. Priests, too, wore distinctive girdles when ministering (Exodus 28:39-40). The Belt as a Symbol of Industry and Enterprise (Proverbs 31:24) “She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.” (Proverbs 31:24) Here the belt stands for marketable craftsmanship. Linen—light, cool, and labor-intensive to produce—was a luxury textile. Turning such fabric into belts reveals entrepreneurship, strategic trade relationships, and skillful stewardship of resources. The reference also implies that godly industry blesses not only the household but the wider economy, demonstrating love of neighbor through honest commerce. The Belt as a Symbol of Status and Power (Ezekiel 23:15) “Girded with belts around their waists, with flowing turbans on their heads; all of them looked like officers, like the Babylonians of Chaldea…” (Ezekiel 23:15) The prophet portrays idolatrous fascination with foreign might. The belt here accentuates rank—the wearers appear as elite cavalrymen or court officials. Israel’s longing for such pageantry illustrates the perennial temptation to trust human power rather than the Lord. The same object that conveys nobility can become an idol when it eclipses covenant loyalty. Spiritual and Theological Significance 1. Readiness for Action: Ancient soldiers “girded” themselves before battle. New Covenant believers are likewise urged, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.” (Ephesians 6:14) Connections with Other Biblical Imagery of Girding • Elijah and John the Baptist, both prophetic reformers, are remembered for simple leather belts, signaling separation from worldly excess (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4). Implications for Discipleship and Ministry Today • Industry: Faithful believers provide goods and services of real value, following the example of the Proverbs 31 woman by integrating skill, diligence, and generosity. Conclusion Though mentioned only twice, the biblical belt illustrates a rich tapestry of themes: productive labor, societal prestige, moral preparedness, and covenant fidelity. In every age the Lord’s people are summoned to be girded—physically, mentally, and spiritually—for a life of worshipful work and steadfast witness. Forms and Transliterations וַ֝חֲג֗וֹר וחגור חֲגוֹרֵ֨י חגורי chagoRei ḥă·ḡō·w·rê ḥăḡōwrê vachaGor wa·ḥă·ḡō·wr waḥăḡōwrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 31:24 HEB: עָ֭שְׂתָה וַתִּמְכֹּ֑ר וַ֝חֲג֗וֹר נָתְנָ֥ה לַֽכְּנַעֲנִֽי׃ KJV: [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. INT: makes and sells girdles and supplies the merchant Ezekiel 23:15 2 Occurrences |