Reference: GIRD, GIRDLE
American
The Orientals commonly dress in loose robes, flowing down around the feet; so that when they wish to run, or fight, or apply themselves to any business, they are obliged to bind their garments close around them with a sash or girdle. Hence, "to have the loins girded," is to be prepared for action or service, 2Ki 4:29; Ac 12:8; to be waiting for the call or coming of one's master or Lord, Lu 12:35. A tightened girdle was also thought to increase the power of endurance, and the simile is used in exhortations to Christian courage and fortitude, Job 38:3; Jer 1:17; Eph 6:14; 1Pe 1:13. To have the girdle loosed, is to be unnerved and unprepared for action, Isa 5:27. Girdles of leather were worn by the common people; and also by prophets, 2Ki 1:8; Mt 3:4. They were likewise made of cotton or linen, Jer 13:1; also of silk, sometimes embroidered. They were often wide and long; and were folded lengthwise, and passed several times around the body. The girdle, moreover, answered the purpose of a purse or pouch, to carry money and other things; see Mt 10:9; Mr 6:8, where the word purse in the English is put for girdle according to the original Greek. The Arabs and other Orientals wear girdles in the same manner at the present day; they also carry a knife or dagger stuck in them; as was also the custom of the Hebrews, 1Sa 25:13; 2Sa 20:8. Clerks carried their inkhorns, carpenters their rules, etc., in the same way, Eze 9:2. See cuts in GARMENTS.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And David said to his men, Every man gird on his sword. And they did so, and David also girded on his sword; and there went up after David about 400 men, and 200 remained with the baggage.
They answered, He was a hairy man with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up your loins and take my staff in your hand and go lay my staff on the face of the child. If you meet any man, do not salute him. If he salutes you, do not answer him.
Gird up now your loins like a man, and I will demand of you, and you declare to Me.
None is weary or stumbles among them, none slumbers or sleeps; nor is the girdle of their loins loosed or the latchet (thong) of their shoes broken;
But you [Jeremiah], gird up your loins! Arise and tell them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed and break down at the sight of their faces, lest I confound you before them and permit you to be overcome.
Thus the Lord said to me: Go and buy yourself a linen girdle and put it on your loins, but do not put it in water.
And behold, six men came from the direction of the Upper Gate, which faces north, every man with his battle-ax in his hand; and one man among them was clothed in linen, with a writer's ink bottle at his side. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar.
This same John's garments were made of camel's hair, and he wore a leather girdle about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
Take no gold nor silver nor [even] copper money in your purses (belts);
He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick -- "no bread, no wallet for a collection bag, no money in their belts (girdles, purses) -- "
Keep your loins girded and your lamps burning,
And the angel said to him, Tighten your belt and bind on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Wrap your outer garment around you and follow me.
Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,