עֶכֶס

עֶכֶס

a fetter; hence, an anklet

Definition

The Hebrew noun עֶכֶס (ʻekeç) primarily means 'anklet' or 'ankle chain,' a type of ornamental jewelry worn by women in the ancient Near East. In its literal sense, it refers to a decorative, often jingling, piece of adornment, as listed among the finery of the daughters of Zion in Isaiah 3:18. However, the word's root meaning of 'to shake' or 'to agitate' also gives it a secondary, metaphorical sense of 'fetter' or 'shackle,' implying restraint or captivity. This figurative meaning is vividly employed in Proverbs 7:22, where a naive young man is said to go to the adulteress 'as an ox goes to the slaughter... as fetters to the discipline of a fool,' portraying sin as a binding constraint.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, in two distinct contexts that illustrate its dual meaning. In Isaiah 3:18, it appears in a list of extravagant jewelry and accessories that God will strip away from the prideful women of Jerusalem as an act of judgment, using the literal sense of 'anklet.' In Proverbs 7:22, it is used metaphorically within a wisdom context, comparing the enticement of an adulteress to shackles that lead a foolish man to his ruin, emphasizing the binding and destructive nature of folly.

Etymology

The noun עֶכֶס (ʻekeç) is derived from the root verb עָכַס (ʻākhas, H5913), which means 'to shake,' 'to agitate,' or 'to disturb.' This root concept of agitation or shaking is directly connected to the jingling sound produced by the anklets when worn. The semantic development moved from the action (shaking) to the object that creates the action (the jingling ornament), and from there to the metaphorical idea of something that binds or restrains movement, like a shackle.

Semantic Range

This word offers a poignant theological contrast between external adornment and internal bondage. In Isaiah, the anklet symbolizes pride, vanity, and misplaced trust in material wealth, which God judges. In Proverbs, its metaphorical use as a fetter illustrates the deceptive and enslaving nature of sexual sin and foolish choices, contrasting human freedom with the bondage that comes from rejecting wisdom. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of these passages by highlighting how physical objects can symbolize deeper spiritual realities of judgment and entrapment. In ancient Israelite and broader Near Eastern culture, anklets were common feminine adornments, often made of precious metals and sometimes with small bells or charms to create a tinkling sound as the wearer walked. They could signify beauty, wealth, and social status. However, the metaphorical leap to 'fetter' would have been culturally intuitive, as both anklets and shackles were rings of metal fastened around the leg, one for ornament and the other for punishment or control, creating a powerful literary contrast. נֶזֶם (nezem, H5141) — a general term for a ring, often a nose-ring or earring; a broader category of jewelry. כֶּבֶל (kevel, H3525) — a fetter, chain, or bond; used more explicitly for captivity and restraint without the ornamental connotation.

Word Details