Credit: Wolfgang Sauber
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Credit URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org...
Comments: Museum Quintana - Roman department. Reconstruction of a Roman centurio - cingulum ( belt ), pugio ( dagger ) and gladius ( sword )
Credit: MatthiasKabel
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Credit URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org...
Comments: Cingulum. Photographed by myself during a show of Legio XV from Pram, Austria
From Easton: Girdle - (1.) Heb. hagor, a girdle of any kind worn by soldiers (1 Samuel 18:4; 2 Samuel 20:8; 1 Kings 2:5; 2 Kings 3:21) or women (Isaiah 3:24).
(2.) Heb. 'ezor, something "bound," worn by prophets (2 Kings 1:8; Jeremiah 13:1), soldiers (Isaiah 5:27; 2 Samuel 20:8; Ezekiel 23:15), Kings (Job 12:18).
(3.) Heb. mezah, a "band," a girdle worn by men alone (Psalms 109:19; Isaiah 22:21).
The common girdle was made of leather (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4); a finer sort of linen (Jeremiah 13:1; Ezekiel 16:10; Daniel 10:5). Girdles of sackcloth were worn in token of sorrow (Isaiah 3:24; Isaiah 22:12). They were variously fastened to the wearer (Mark 1:6; Jeremiah 13:1; Ezekiel 16:10).
The girdle was a symbol of strength and power (Job 12:18, Job 12:21; Job 30:11; Isaiah 22:21; Isaiah 45:5). "Righteousness and faithfulness" are the girdle of the Messiah (Isaiah 11:5).
Girdles were used as purses or pockets (Matthew 10:9. A. V., "purses;" R.V., marg., "girdles." Also Mark 6:8).
