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Gird up your loins

Posted by Smokey Stover on May 01, 2006

In Reply to: Gird up your loins posted by Victoria S Dennis on April 30, 2006

: : : : I want to know the true meaning of "gird up your loins" Does anyone know? I assume it means to prepare, but it also seems like there is more to it . Please, will someone email me at ladyschricker@hotmail.com

: : : Our tradition in this forum is to answer questions here publicly, rather than to send them privately by email. There are two reasons: one, many of the volunteers who answer questions here are cautious about publishing their addresses, and second, many readers might be interested in the topic and would appreciate the answers. We hope you'll understand.

: : There are several references in the Bible to girding one's loins -- with a girdle of leather. It must be a going-into-battle thing.

: : [Dead link removed - ed]

:
: It's always been my understanding that the Old Testament Hebrews wore long loose garments (as Bedouin and Arabs do to this day) which were cool in the desert heat but inconvenient for any vigorous physical activity. Therefore, before undertaking any strenuous work, they would "gird up their loins" with a belt, and tuck in any loose folds and tuck up the long skirt of the robe to free their limbs for action.

It might be useful to mention that the loins, on humans and in the plural, refers to the abdominal region and the hips, or some significant part thereof. SS

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