International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Cord

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Cord


Subjects in this Topic:

kôrd (חבל, ḥebhel, יתר, yether, מיתר, mēthār, עבת, ‛ăbhōth; σχοινίον, schoinı́on):

(1) The Arabic ḥab'l corresponds to the Hebrew ḥebhel and is still the common name for cord or rope throughout the East. 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. Ḥebhel is translated rather inconsistently in the Revised Version (British and American) by “cord” (; , etc.); by “line” (; ; ; ; ; ); by “ropes” (), and by “tacklings” ().

(2) Yether corresponds to the Arabic wittar, which means catgut. With a kindred inconsistency it is translated the Revised Version (British and American) by “withes” ( the Revised Version, margin “bowstring”); by “cord” (), where some think it may mean “bowstring,” or possibly “rein” of a bridle, and by “bowstring” (), doubtless the true meaning.

(3) Mēthār is considered the equivalent of Arabic aṭnâb, which means tent ropes, being constantly so used by the Bedouin. They make the thing so called of goat's or camel's hair. It is used of the “cords” of the tabernacle (), of the “cords” of the “hangings” and “pillars” of the courts of the tabernacle in Exodus and Numbers, and figuratively by Isa (), “Lengthen thy cords,” etc.

(4) ‛Ǎbhōth is thought to have its equivalent in the Arabic rŭbŭts, which means a band, or fastening. See BAND. It is translated by “cords” in ; ; by “bands” in ; ; ; by “ropes” in , , and by “cart rope” in . See CART. See also and AMULET. It Seems to have the meaning of something twisted or interlaced.

(5) In the New Testament “cord” is found in , translating schoinion, but in the same Greek word is rendered “ropes.”

Figurative: (1) of affliction (); (2) of God's laws (); (3) of the artifices of the wicked (; ); (4) of sinful habits (); (5) of true friendship or companionship (); (6) possibly of the spinal cord (); (7) of falsehood (); (8) of the spirit of enterprise and devotion (); (9) of God's gentleness.