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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comFausset Bible Dictionary: Girdle
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Worn by men and women. The meezach was worn by men alone (, margin). The common girdle was of leather, as the Bedouins now wear a red leather girdle with a long crooked knife and a pistol stuck in. The finer girdle was of linen (), often embroidered with gold (; ). Girded up, so as to confine the otherwise flowing robes, when active exertion was needed; from whence "gird up the hands" means "be in readiness for action" (; ; ). Fastened by a clasp, or tied in a knot, so that the ends hung in front. A costly present (). One end being folded back made a purse ().
The abneeyt was the priest's girdle of linen embroidered with wool; the high priest's girdle on the day of atonement was of white linen only. The "needlework" on it was figuring on one side only, "cunning work" on two sides (; the Mishna); or the "needlework" had the figures on both sides the same girdle, the "cunning work" different (Jarchi). , "needlework" was of the embroiderer, "cunning work" of the skilled weaver. The "curious girdle" was made, as the ephod, of "gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen" (), it was the band for fastening the ephod, which is upon it, and of the same work, of one piece with it.