BELT
A cloth or leather sash that orientals usually wear to wrap themselves around when they want to run, fight or work; in the field and in the workshop, loose clothing that falls to their feet. It was a symbol of activity and efficiency (1 Sam. 2:4; Jb. 12:18; Is. 45:5; Acts 12:8).
Tight belt increases resistance force; It later serves as a simile for Christian strength (Eph. 6:14; 1 Pet. 1:15). The belt was also made of silk, sometimes embroidered (Prov. 31:24; Dan. 10:5; Rev. 15:6).
It was often long and wide, turning several times. Sometimes it served as a purse, the words “money” and “purse” being identical in Greek (Mt. 10:9). They sometimes carried knives or daggers attached to their belts.
There also the scribes carried their horn inkstands, and the carpenters their rulers (2 Sam. 28:8; Ezek. 9:2). The priests’ belts were of extraordinarily fine linen, hanging at the ends to the feet (Ex. 28:4, 39:40).