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
Then David said unto his men, "Gird every man his sword about him." And they girded every man his sword on, and David thereto girded on his sword. And there followed David upon a four hundred men, and two hundred abode by the stuff.
And they said unto him, "It was a hairy man and girded with a girdle of a skin about his loins." And he said unto them, "It is Elijah the Tishbite."
Then he said to Gehazi, "Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand and away. If any man meet thee, salute him not. And if any salute thee, answer him not again. And put my staff upon the boy."
Gird up thy loins like a man, for I will question thee, see thou give me a direct answer.
There is not one faint or feeble among them, no not a sluggish nor slippery person. There shall not one of them put off the girdle from his loins, nor loose the latchet of his shoe.
And therefore gird up thy loins, arise, and tell them all that I give thee in commandment. Fear them not; I will not have thee to be afraid of them.
Moreover, thus said the LORD unto me, "Go thy way, and get thee a linen breech, and gird it about thy loins, and let it not be wet."
Then came there six men out of the street of the upper port toward the north, and every man a weapon in his hand to the slaughter. There was one amongst them, that had on him a linen raiment, and a writer's inkhorn by his side. These went in, and stood beside the brazen altar:
This John had his garment of camel's hair, and a girdle of a skin about his loins; his meat was locusts and wild honey.
Possess not gold, nor silver, nor brass in your girdles,
And commanded them, that they should take nothing unto their Journey, save a rod only: Neither scrip, neither bread, neither money in their purses:
Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning,
And the angel said unto him, "Gird thyself and bind on thy sandals." And so he did. And he said unto him, "Cast on thy mantle about thee, and follow me."
Stand, therefore, and your loins gird about with verity, having on the breastplate of righteousness,