An article of dress always worn in the East, both by the rich and the poor, and needed there because of their flowing robes. For the poor they were of the plainest material, but for the rich they were more or less costly, and were highly ornamented. They were thus suitable articles for presents (1 Sam. 18:4; 2 Sam. 18:11). John the Baptist wore a leathern girdle, or one of skin (Matt. 3:4; Mark 1:6; compare 2 Kings 1:8). In the Revelation the Lord has on a golden girdle, and the seven angels who come out of the temple have the same (Rev. 1:13; Rev. 15:6). The priests wore girdles, and one for Aaron was a “linen” girdle (Lev. 16:4), and with the breastplate was the CURIOUS (that is, embroidered) GIRDLE of the ephod, made of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine-twined linen (Ex. 28:8).
The girdle is typical of strength, and “girding up the loins” denotes active service. When the Gentiles are gathered by God to discipline Israel, the girdle of their loins shall not be loosed (Isa. 5:27). Of the Lord when He comes to reign it is said, “Righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins” (Isa. 11:5). In the present warfare the Christian is exhorted to have his loins “girt about” with truth (Eph. 6:14)—the “truth” being the very thing that Satan will most oppose, and about which the mass are liable to be indifferent.
Girdles were also used for purses (Matt. 10:9; Mark 6:8), where the word signifies a “belt.”