Bag
is the rendering of several words in the Old and New Testaments.
Charitim, the “bags” in which Naaman bound up the two talents of silver for Gehazi. (2 Kings 5:23) They were long cone-like bags of the size to hold a precise amount of money, and tied or sealed for that amount, as we stamp the value on a coin. Cis, a bag for carrying weights, (25:13) also used as a purse (Proverbs 1:14) Celi, in (Genesis 42:25) is the “sack” in which Jacob’s sons carried the corn which they brought from Egypt.
The shepherd’s “bag” used by David was for the purpose of carrying the lambs unable to walk. (Zechariah 11:15; 16:5) Tschar, properly a “bundle,” (Genesis 42:35) appears to have been used by travellers for carrying money during a long journey. (Proverbs 7:20) The “bag” which Judas carried was probably a small box or chest. (John 12:6; 13:29)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Bag
Bag Bags of various kinds are mentioned in the English Bible, but often in a way to obscure rather than tr the original. ⇒See a list of verses on BAG in the Bible. (1) "Bag" is used for a Hebrew word which means a shepherd's "bag," rendered "wallet" in the Revised Version (British and American). This "bag" of the shepherd or "haversack" of the traveler was of a size sufficient for one or more days' provisions. It was made of the skin of animals, ordinarily undressed, as most of the other "bags" of ancient times were, and was carried slung across the shoulder. This is the "scrip for the journey" pera mentioned in Mt 10:10 and its parallel (the King James Version). ("Scrip" is Old English, now obsolete.) A unique word appears in 1Sa 17:40,49 which had to be explained even to Hebrew readers by the gloss, "the shepherd's bag," but which is likewise rendered "wallet" by the American Standard Revised Version. (2) "Bag" translates also a word ballantion which stands for the more finished leather pouch, or satchel which served as a "purse" (see Christ's words, Lu 10:4 King James Version: "Ca…
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible on Bag
1. B'p^;, D'y'irr 'V? ; ir-fipa ; bag for food, shep- herd's wallet, or scrip for a journey, made of a kid's skin with a strap fastened to each end so as to ban" from the shoulder, and holding one or two day? allowance of bread, raisins, olives, cheese, etc. ; one of tlie emblems of the pastoral and pilgrim life ; parent of the hunting-bag and portfolios of higher oHice. Into it David put the pebbles wlien going to meet Goliath (1 S 17"). Tlie command to dispense with it (Mt 1U'», Mk 6', Lk 9") meant for the disciples complete trust in those visited, in their message, and in their Master. 2. 0'3 (Arab, kij/), bag for merchant's weights, made of stout cotton, leather, or in the form of a flexible rush-basket. This bag is still a necessity with the Syrian jieasant or trader when selling from house to house his olive-oil, figs, graiie-sj^iip, cheese, etc. The special warning against false weights (Dt 25'», Pr 20'") was due to the fact that pebbles and odd pieces of metal were doubtless, then as now, used thus as weights, putting the purchaser at the mercy of the seller. Hence the Arab,…
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia