חָגוֹר
belted
Definition
The Hebrew noun חָגוֹר (châgôwr) refers to a belt or girdle, specifically a warrior's belt used to secure a garment and hold weapons. In its three biblical occurrences, it consistently denotes a piece of military attire. In 2 Samuel 20:8, it is the belt from which Joab's sword hangs, highlighting its practical function. In Ezekiel 23:15, it describes the attire of Babylonian military officers, emphasizing their elite status. Proverbs 31:24 uses it metaphorically, where the 'valiant woman' sells garments including 'sashes' (חָגוֹר), showing a broader, non-military application for a finely made belt or sash.
Biblical Usage
This word is used three times in the Old Testament, always in poetic or narrative contexts describing attire. It appears in historical narrative (2 Samuel 20:8), wisdom literature (Proverbs 31:24), and prophetic judgment (Ezekiel 23:15). The pattern is its association with preparedness and status: in 2 Samuel and Ezekiel, it is part of a warrior's gear, symbolizing readiness for battle. In Proverbs, it is a valuable commodity made by the skilled woman, representing domestic industry and provision.
Etymology
Derived from the root verb חָגַר (châgar, H2296), meaning 'to gird' or 'to bind on.' The noun חָגוֹר is the concrete object resulting from the action—the thing that is girded on, namely a belt or girdle. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian 'egēru,' relating to encircling or binding.
Semantic Range
While primarily a mundane item, the belt (חָגוֹר) carries symbolic weight in its contexts. In a warrior's hand (2 Samuel 20:8, Ezekiel 23:15), it represents human power, violence, and judgment. Its inclusion in Proverbs 31:24 connects it to the themes of wisdom, strength, and diligent provision. Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting the contrast between the destructive power of the warrior's belt and the constructive, life-giving industry of the wise woman who creates such items.
In the ancient Near East, a belt (חָגוֹר) was a essential part of a man's dress, especially for soldiers and laborers, to keep loose robes from impeding movement. A warrior's belt was crucial for securing a tunic and holding a sword or dagger. The finely made sash in Proverbs 31:24 would have been a luxury item, indicating wealth and skill. This differs from modern belts, which are often purely functional or decorative, lacking the same immediate association with martial readiness or high-value craftsmanship.
אֵזוֹר ('êzôwr, H232) — A more common general term for belt or girdle, often used in ritual or metaphorical contexts (e.g., Isaiah 11:5). חֲגוֹרָה (chăgôwrâh, H2290) — A feminine form of the same root, also meaning belt or girdle (e.g., Isaiah 3:24).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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