ζώνη
zōnē
belt/sash/girdle
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ζώνη (zōnē) translates to "belt/sash/girdle." It refers to a type of garment worn around the waist. Throughout the eight occurrences in the Bible, ζώνη is used to describe various aspects of a person's attire. Its primary significance lies in its association with authority, identity, and spiritual status. In several passages, ζώνη is linked with a person's role or profession, such as the Greek word πώγων (pōgōn), meaning beard, which, like the ζώνη, symbolized a priest's or prophet's distinction. In these contexts, ζώνη serves as an indicator of a person's rank or status within their social and spiritual groups. Given its connection to clothing and textile, ζώνη's limited occurrences in the Bible suggest a specific cultural or ritual context.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences across the text
Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
Matthew 10:9Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts.
Mark 1:6John was clothed with camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.
Acts 21:11Coming to us and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘So the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
Acts 21:11Coming to us and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘So the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
Mark 6:8He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse,
Revelation 15:6The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out, clothed with pure, bright linen, and wearing golden sashes around their breasts.
Revelation 1:13And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest.