Cord
cord
Emblem in art associated with Saint Charles Borromeo and Saint John of God. With the former it symbolizes the cord or halter worn around his neck during the plague of Milan, 1575 ; with the latter it is commemorative of his escape from being hanged.
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Cord
the rendering in the Auth. Ver. of the following Hebrew words:
(1.) usually , che’bel (but not ), a rope, SEE CHEBEL;
(2.) , ye’-her, a straw (withe, Jdg 16:7-9; tent-rope, excellency, Job 4:21; bow-string, Psa 11:2; halter-cord, Job 30:11);
(3.) , meythar’, a line (e.g. tentrope, Exo 35:18; Exo 39:40; Num 3:26; Num 3:37; Num 4:26; Num 4:32; Isa 54:2.; Jer 10:20; bow- string, Psa 21:12);
(4.) , aboth’, a braid (e.g. wreathed work, Exo 28:14, etc.; band, Job 39:10; Eze 3:25; Eze 4:8; Hos 11:4; rope, Jdg 15:13-14; Psa 2:3; Psa 118:27; Psa 124:4);
(5.) , chut (Ecc 4:12, a thread, Gen 14:23; Jos 2:18; Jdg 16:12; Son 4:3; line, 1Ki 7:15; fillet, Jer 52:21). The first of these terms is the most comprehensive, being from the root , to twist, hence Engl. cable. This word occurs often in its proper sense, as well as in the special meanings of measuring-line (hence also region), snare (Psa 140:5), and bridle. In Mic 2:5, it signifies portion (as it is frequently rendered elsewhere); and the phrase cast a cord denotes a change of inheritance, as in Mic 2:4. The same word has the secondary sense of a band of men (1Sa 10:5; 1Sa 10:10), and destruction (Mic 2:10). SEE ROPE. In the N.T. the term is applied to the whip which our Savior made (Joh 2:15), and to the ropes’ of a ship (Act 27:32). Alford understands it in the former passage of the rushes on which the cattle were littered; but the ordinary rendering cords seems more consistent with the use of the term elsewhere. (See below.)
The materials of which cord was made varied according to the strength required; the strongest rope was probably made of strips of camel hide, still used by the Bedouins for drawing water (Burckhardt’s Notes, 1:46); the Egyptians twisted these strips together into thongs for sandals and other purposes (Wilkinson, Anc. Egypt. 3. 145). The finer sorts were made of flax (Isa 19:9). The fibre of the date-palm was also used (Wilkinson, 3. 210); and probably reeds and rushes of various kinds, as implied in the origin of the word (Pliny 19:9), which is generally used by the Sept. for , and more particularly in the word (, rush (Job 41:2), which primarily means a reed; in the Talmud (Erubin, fol. 58), bulrushes, osier, and flax are enumerated as the materials of which rope was made; in the Mishna (Sotah, 1, 6) the , or Egyptian rope, is explained as a rope of vines or osiers. SEE MECHANIC.
Of the various purposes to which cord, including under that term rope, and twisted thongs, was applied, the following are especially worthy of notice:
(1.) For fastening a tent, in which sense , meythar’, is more particularly used (e.g. Exo 35:18; Exo 39:40; Isa 54:2). As the tent supplied a favorite image of the human body, the cords which held it in its place represented the principle of life (Job 4:21): Are not their tent cords (A.V. excellency’) torn away?’ (Ecc 12:6).
(2.) For leading or binding animals, as a halter or rein (Psa 118:27; Hos 11:4), whence to loosen the cord’ (Job 30:11) = to free from authority.
(3.) For yoking them either to a cart (Isa 5:18) or a plough (Job 39:10).
(4.) For binding prisoners, more particularly , aboth’ (Jdg 15:13; Psa 2:3; Psa 129:4; Eze 3:25), whence the metaphorical expression bands of love’ (Hos 11:4).
(5.) For bow-strings (Psa 11:2), made of catgut; such are spoken of in Jdg 16:7 ( , A. V. green withs;’ but more properly , fresh or moist bow-strings).
(6.) For the ropes or tacklings’ of a vessel (Isa 33:23).
(7.) For measuring ground, the full expression being (2Sa 8:2; Psa 78:55; Amo 7:17; Zec 2:1); hence to cast a cord’ to assign a property (Mic 2:5), and cord or line became an expression for an inheritance (Jos 17:14; Jos 19:9; Psa 16:6; Eze 47:13), and even for any defined district (e.g. the line, or tract, of Argob, Deu 3:4). SEE CHEBEL.
(8.) For fishing and snaring. SEE FISHING; SEE FOWLING; SEE HUNTING.
(9.) For attaching articles of dress; as the wreathen chains (), which were rather twisted cords, worn by the high-priests (Exo 28:14; Exo 28:22; Exo 28:24; Exo 39:15; Exo 39:17).
(10.) For fastening awnings (Est 1:6).
(11.) For attaching to a plummet. The line and plummet are emblematic of a regular rule (2Ki 21:13; Isa 28:17); hence to destroy by line and plummet (Isa 34:11; Lam 2:8; Amo 7:7) has been understood as a regular systematic destruction (ad normam et libellam, Gesenius, Thesaur. p. 125); it may, however, be referred to the carpenter’s level, which can only be used on a flat surface (comp. Thenius, Comm. in 2Ki 21:13).
(12.) For drawing water out of a well, or raising heavy weights (Jos 2:15; Jer 38:6; Jer 38:13).
(13.) To place a rope on the head (1Ki 20:31) in place of the ordinary head-dress was a sign of abject submission
(14.) The small cords (, a rush-rope) used by our Savior in expelling the traders from the Temple (Joh 2:15) were probably the same used for leading the animals for sacrifice and binding them to the altar (, Psa 118:27).
(15.) The same word is employed in Act 27:32, ropes, i.e. cordage, with which the yawl-boats were secured to the ship (q.v.). SEE RUSH.
Among the figurative uses of the word the following are the most striking:
(1.) To gird one’s self with a cord was considered a token of sorrow and humiliation (1Ki 20:31-33; Job 36:8).
(2.) To stretch a line or cord about a city signifies to ruin it, to destroy it entirely, and to level it with the ground (Lam 2:8).
(3.) The cords () extended in setting up tents furnish several metaphors in the prophetical books (Isa 33:20; Jer 10:20).
(4.) Hence to loose one’s cord was a metaphor for dissolving one’s comfort and hopes (, ye’ther, elsewhere withe).
(5.) The cords of sin (Pro 5:22), metaphorically speaking, are the consequences of crimes and bad habits.
(6.) The silver cord (i.e. composed of silvery threads, Ecc 12:6) is generally supposed to refer to the spinal marrow, to which, as to its form and color, it may not be inaptly compared.
(7.) A three-fold cord (i.e. one of treble strands) is put as the symbol of union (Ecc 4:12, , chut, elsewhere thread).
(8.) The cords of a man, in Hos 11:4, are immediately explained as meaning the bands of love, although some interpreters join this clause to the preceding sentence, and render it amid the desolations of men, referring to the plagues of Egypt (Horsley, in loc.). SEE LINE. For cords of Sheol, SEE SNARES OF DEATH.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Cord
frequently used in its proper sense, for fastening a tent (Ex. 35:18; 39:40), yoking animals to a cart (Isa. 5:18), binding prisoners (Judg. 15:13; Ps. 2:3; 129:4), and measuring ground (2 Sam. 8; 2; Ps. 78:55). Figuratively, death is spoken of as the giving way of the tent-cord (Job 4:21. “Is not their tent-cord plucked up?” R.V.). To gird one’s self with a cord was a token of sorrow and humiliation. To stretch a line over a city meant to level it with the ground (Lam. 2:8). The “cords of sin” are the consequences or fruits of sin (Prov. 5:22). A “threefold cord” is a symbol of union (Eccl. 4:12). The “cords of a man” (Hos. 11:4) means that men employ, in inducing each other, methods such as are suitable to men, and not “cords” such as oxen are led by. Isaiah (5:18) says, “Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope.” This verse is thus given in the Chaldee paraphrase: “Woe to those who begin to sin by little and little, drawing sin by cords of vanity: these sins grow and increase till they are strong and are like a cart rope.” This may be the true meaning. The wicked at first draw sin with a slender cord; but by-and-by their sins increase, and they are drawn after them by a cart rope. Henderson in his commentary says: “The meaning is that the persons described were not satisfied with ordinary modes of provoking the Deity, and the consequent ordinary approach of his vengeance, but, as it were, yoked themselves in the harness of iniquity, and, putting forth all their strength, drew down upon themselves, with accelerated speed, the load of punishment which their sins deserved.”
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Cord
“Lengthen thy cords, strengthen thy stakes” (Isa 54:2); an image from a tent (appropriate, as the Israelite church was symbolized by the tabernacle); it, when enlarged, needs at once longer cords and stronger stakes. The church must not merely seek new converts, but strengthen in faith existing members. So in Job 4:21, “is not their cord in them unstrung?” or “snapped,” so that their earthly tabernacle comes down (2Co 5:1). In Ecc 12:6, “or ever the silver cord be loosed or the golden bowl be broken,” the meaning is, before life’s gilded lamp suspended from on high by the cord of intertwined silk and silver, be broken by the snapping of the cord.
“The golden bowl” may hint at the skull; “the silver cord,” the spinal marrow attached to the brain, white and precious as silver. “He hath loosed my cord” (Job 30:11) is animate from a bow unstrung (contrast Job 29:20). In Hos 11:4, “I drew them with cords of a man,” i.e., with human methods, as a father would draw his child by leading strings. In Mic 2:5, “cast a cord by lot” i.e. have any measured out possession, cords being used for measurement (Jos 13:6; Psa 16:6).
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Cord
kord (, hebhel, , yether, , methar, , abhoth; , schoinon):
(1) The Arabic hab’l corresponds to the Hebrew hebhel and is still the common name for cord or rope throughout the East. Such ropes or cords are made of goat’s or camel’s hair, first spun into threads and then twisted or plaited into the larger and stronger form. Hebhel is translated rather inconsistently in the Revised Version (British and American) by cord (Jos 2:15; Job 36:8, etc.); by line (2Sa 8:2; Mic 2:5; Psa 16:6; Psa 78:55; Amo 7:17; Zec 2:1); by ropes (1Ki 20:31), and by tacklings (Isa 33:23).
(2) Yether corresponds to the Arabic wittar, which means catgut. With a kindred inconsistency it is translated the Revised Version (British and American) by withes (Jdg 16:7 the Revised Version, margin bowstring); by cord (Job 30:11), where some think it may mean bowstring, or possibly rein of a bridle, and by bowstring (Psa 11:2), doubtless the true meaning.
(3) Methar is considered the equivalent of Arabic atnab, which means tent ropes, being constantly so used by the Bedouin. They make the thing so called of goat’s or camel’s hair. It is used of the cords of the tabernacle (Jer 10:20), of the cords of the hangings and pillars of the courts of the tabernacle in Exodus and Numbers, and figuratively by Isa (Isa 54:2), Lengthen thy cords, etc.
(4) Abhoth is thought to have its equivalent in the Arabic rubuts, which means a band, or fastening. See BAND. It is translated by cords in Psa 118:27; Psa 129:4; by bands in Eze 3:25; Job 39:10; Hos 11:4; by ropes in Jdg 15:13, Jdg 15:14, and by cart rope in Isa 5:18. See CART. See also Num 15:38 and AMULET. It Seems to have the meaning of something twisted or interlaced.
(5) In the New Testament cord is found in Joh 2:15, translating schoinion, but in Act 27:32 the same Greek word is rendered ropes.
Figurative: (1) of affliction (Job 36:8); (2) of God’s laws (Psa 2:3); (3) of the artifices of the wicked (Psa 129:4; Psa 140:5); (4) of sinful habits (Pro 5:22); (5) of true friendship or companionship (Ecc 4:12); (6) possibly of the spinal cord (Ecc 12:6); (7) of falsehood (Isa 5:18); (8) of the spirit of enterprise and devotion (Isa 54:2); (9) of God’s gentleness.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Cord
Ancient uses of:
– In casting lots
Mic 2:5
– Fastening tents
Exo 35:18; Exo 39:40; Isa 54:2
– Leading or binding animals
Psa 118:27; Hos 11:4
– Hitching to cart or plough
Job 39:10
– Binding prisoners
Jdg 15:13
– Measuring ground
2Sa 8:2; Jos 17:14; Psa 78:55; Amo 7:17; Zec 2:1
– Worn on the head as a sign of submission
1Ki 20:31
Figurative:
– Of spiritual blessings
Psa 16:6
– Of sin
Pro 5:22
– Of life
Ecc 12:6
– Of friendship
Ecc 4:12; Hos 11:4
Symbolic uses of:
– Token in mourning
1Ki 20:31-33; Job 36:8
– Signifying an inheritance
Jos 17:14
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Cord
Cord. The materials of which cord was made varied according to the strength required; the strongest rope was probably made of strips of camel hide, as still used by the Bedouins. The finer sorts were made of flax, Isa 19:9, and probably of reeds and rushes. In the New Testament, the term is applied to the whip which our Saviour made, Joh 2:15, and to the ropes of a ship. Act 27:32.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Cord
“a cord or rope,” a diminutive of schoinos, “a rush, bulrush,” meant a “cord” made of rushes; it denotes (a) “a small cord,” Joh 2:15 (plural), (b) “a rope,” Act 27:32. See ROPE.
Fuente: Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words
Cord
Jos 2:15-21 (c) It is a symbol of the precious Blood of CHRIST. As this red cord hanging from Rahab’s window announced her faith in GOD, in His Word, and His promises, so the precious Blood applied to our hearts by faith announces this same truth for us.
Job 30:11 (c) This cord represents those bonds and bands which bound Job to GOD in sweet favor and rich prosperity. The Lord loosened the bands and permitted Job to fall into affliction and poverty.
Psa 2:3 (b) It refers to the restraining influence of GOD which the wicked kings of earth desire to dispel. They wish to live and do as they please and to be free from the restraint of GOD and His Word. Such examples are Russia and Germany.
Ecc 4:12 (b) Three persons whose hearts and lives are bound together in love and in happy fellowship are compared to a threefold cord or rope which has more strength than either one strand or two strands.
Isa 5:18 (b) This is a type of the evil desires of the human heart which crave wicked and sinful practices.
Hos 11:4 (b) This is a type of those lovely and gracious attributes in GOD’s heart which draws other hearts to Him.