Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "string" may not appear frequently in the text, but its concept and related items such as cords, threads, and ropes are present and hold significant symbolic and practical importance. Strings and cords are often used in the Bible to represent strength, unity, and the binding of agreements or covenants.
Symbolism and Usage1.
Strength and Unity: Strings or cords are often used metaphorically to signify strength and unity.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 states, "And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken." This verse highlights the strength found in unity and cooperation, using the imagery of a multi-stranded cord to emphasize the power of togetherness.
2.
Binding and Covenant: Strings and cords are also symbolic of binding agreements or covenants. In ancient times, physical cords or strings might have been used to seal agreements or symbolize a promise. This is reflected in the broader biblical theme of covenants, where God binds Himself to His people through promises and laws.
3.
Measurement and Construction: Strings or cords were practical tools in ancient construction and measurement. In the building of the Tabernacle and the Temple, precise measurements were crucial, and cords would have been used to ensure accuracy. While the Bible does not explicitly mention strings in this context, the use of measuring lines is noted, such as in Ezekiel's vision of the new Temple (
Ezekiel 40:3).
4.
Musical Instruments: Strings are also associated with musical instruments, particularly in the Psalms. Instruments like the harp and lyre, which are stringed, are frequently mentioned as means of worship and praise.
Psalm 33:2 says, "Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings." The use of stringed instruments in worship underscores the importance of music in expressing devotion and adoration to God.
5.
Symbol of Life and Fragility: The fragility of a string can also symbolize the delicate nature of human life.
Job 30:11 uses the imagery of a string to describe the loosening of his bowstring, symbolizing his weakened state: "Because He has loosened my bowstring and afflicted me, they have cast off restraint in my presence."
Cultural and Historical ContextIn the ancient Near East, strings and cords were essential for daily life, used in everything from clothing and textiles to tools and weapons. The Israelites, like their neighbors, would have relied on these items for various practical purposes. The symbolic use of strings in the Bible reflects their everyday significance and the deeper spiritual truths they can convey.
ConclusionWhile the term "string" itself may not be prominent in biblical texts, its related concepts and uses are woven throughout Scripture, illustrating themes of strength, unity, covenant, worship, and the fragility of life. These themes resonate with the broader biblical narrative and the relationship between God and His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A small cord, a line, a twine, or a slender strip of leather, or other substance, used for binding together, fastening, or tying things; a cord, larger than a thread and smaller than a rope; as, a shoe string; a bonnet string; a silken string.
2. (n.) A thread or cord on which a number of objects or parts are strung or arranged in close and orderly succession; hence, a line or series of things arranged on a thread, or as if so arranged; a succession; a concatenation; a chain; as, a string of shells or beads; a string of dried apples; a string of houses; a string of arguments.
3. (n.) A strip, as of leather, by which the covers of a book are held together.
4. (n.) The cord of a musical instrument, as of a piano, harp, or violin; specifically (pl.), the stringed instruments of an orchestra, in distinction from the wind instruments; as, the strings took up the theme.
5. (n.) The line or cord of a bow.
6. (n.) A fiber, as of a plant; a little, fibrous root.
7. (n.) A nerve or tendon of an animal body.
8. (n.) An inside range of ceiling planks, corresponding to the sheer strake on the outside and bolted to it.
9. (n.) The tough fibrous substance that unites the valves of the pericap of leguminous plants, and which is readily pulled off; as, the strings of beans.
10. (n.) A small, filamentous ramification of a metallic vein.
11. (n.) Same as Stringcourse.
12. (n.) The points made in a game.
13. (v. t.) To furnish with strings; as, to string a violin.
14. (v. t.) To put in tune the strings of, as a stringed instrument, in order to play upon it.
15. (v. t.) To put on a string; to file; as, to string beads.
16. (v. t.) To make tense; to strengthen.
17. (v. t.) To deprive of strings; to strip the strings from; as, to string beans. See String, n., 9.
Greek
1199. desmos -- a band, bond... Noun, Neuter Transliteration: desmos Phonetic Spelling: (des-mon') Short Definition:
a bond, chain Definition: a bond, chain, imprisonment; a
string or ligament
...1590. ekluo -- to loose, release, to grow weary
... ekluo Phonetic Spelling: (ek-loo'-o) Short Definition: I am unstrung, become weak,
fail Definition: I loose, release, unloose (as a bow-string), relax, enfeeble...
3044. Linos -- Linus, a Christian
... Word Origin the name of a mythical minstrel, perhaps from linon (for thestring
of a musical instrument) Definition Linus, a Christian NASB Word Usage Linus (1...
Strong's Hebrew
4340. methar -- cord,string... 4339, 4340. methar. 4341 . cord,
string. Transliteration: methar Phonetic
Spelling: (may-thar') Short Definition: cords.
... cord,
string.
...4482a. men --string (of a harp)
... 4482, 4482a. men. 4482b .string (of a harp). Transliteration: men Short
Definition: instruments. Word Origin of uncertain derivation...
2737. charuz --string of beads
... 2736, 2737. charuz. 2738 .string of beads. Transliteration: charuz Phonetic
Spelling: (khaw-rooz') Short Definition: beads. Word...
4482. men --string (of a harp)
... 4481, 4482. men. 4482a .string (of a harp). Transliteration: men Phonetic
Spelling: (mane) Short Definition: instrument. stringed instrument...
2338. chut -- to repair (foundations)
... join. (Aramaic) corresponding to the root of chuwt, perhaps as a denominative; to
string together, ie (figuratively) to repair -- join. see HEBREW chuwt....
3499. yether -- remainder, excess, preeminence
... rope (as hanging free) -- + abundant, cord, exceeding, excellancy(-ent), what they
leave, that hath left, plentifully, remnant, residue, rest,string, with....
8270. shor -- umbilical cord
... navel. From sharar; astring (as twisted (compare shariyr)), ie (specifically) the
umbilical cord (also figuratively, as the centre of strength) -- navel....
2339. chut -- thread, cord, line
... cord, fillet, line, thread. From an unused root probably meaning to sew; astring;
by implication, a measuring tape -- cord, fillet, line, thread. 2338, 2339...
8447. tor -- a plait, turn
... Or tor {tore}; from tuwr; a succession, ie Astring or (abstractly) order -- border,
row, turn. see HEBREW tuwr. 8446, 8447. tor or tor. 8448 ....
6957. qav -- line
... line Or qav {kawv}; from qavah (compare qaveh); a cord (as connecting), especially
for measuring; figuratively, a rule; also a rim, a musicalstring or accord...
Library
AString of Pearls
... THE PROVERBS ASTRING OF PEARLS. 'Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:
and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.2. The...
Exhortation to Abandon the Impious Mysteries of Idolatry for the...
... The Locrian breaks astring. The grasshopper sprang on the neck of the
instrument, and sang on it as on a branch; and the minstrel...
The Spokesman of God.
... Is it deep? So you fish a rather long bit ofstring out of your pocket,
and tie it to a bit of stone you find lying close by. And...
Christmas Hymn.
... Christmas Hymn. 1 Hark! hark! with harps of gold, What anthem do they sing?" The
radiant clouds have backward rolled, And angels smite thestring....
Love
... The fact is this,"the world was originally one greatstring in the harp of the universe,
and when the Almighty swept that harp with his gracious fingers...
Meditation on God
... to earn more that day, than you ever earned before, by the painful system of
uninterrupted drudgery; for the diversion of thought will rest,string up, and...
A Harp of Ten Strings
... I. The firststring which Mary seems to touch, and which, I trust, we, too, may
reach with the hand of faith, is that of THE GREAT JOY WHICH THERE IS IN THE...
The Best of Masters
... The wish is but the bowstring; the blessing is the arrow shot from it.
Christ hath not an empty bow, but his quiver is filled with...
The Lost Opportunity
... She had astring of pearls in her hand and her hand is in the water, the
string is broken, and one by one the pearls slip away....
The Holy Spirit's Chief Office
... If we have but this onestring upon which we can play, we may discourse such music
on it as would ravish angels, and will save men; therefore, again I say, let...
Thesaurus
String (12 Occurrences)... or other substance, used for binding together, fastening, or tying things; a cord,
larger than a thread and smaller than a rope; as, a shoe
string; a bonnet
...String-music (8 Occurrences)
String-music. Stringed,String-music. Strings . Multi-Version
ConcordanceString-music (8 Occurrences). Psalms 4:1 Answer...
Archery
... of oxen. The bow-string was commonly ox-gut and the arrows were of reed,
or light wood tipped with flint, bronze, or iron. (3) The...
Stringed (34 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (pp) ofString. 2. (a.) Having strings; as, a stringed
instrument. 3. (a.) Produced by strings. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
Open (586 Occurrences)
... (a.) Not closed or stopped with the finger; -- said of thestring of an instrument,
as of a violin, when it is allowed to vibrate throughout its whole length....
Loop
... 6. (n.) The portion of a vibratingstring, air column, etc., between two
nodes; -- called also ventral segment. 7. (vt) To make...
Rope (10 Occurrences)
... together. It differs from cord, line, andstring, only in its size. See
Cordage. 2. (n.) A row orstring consisting of a number...
Maskil (13 Occurrences)
... (53:2) (See RSV NIV). Psalms 54:1 For the Leader; withstring-music. Maschil of
David: (54:2) (See RSV NIV). Psalms 55:1 For the Leader; withstring-music....
Bow (248 Occurrences)
... an arrow is propelled. 13. (n.) An ornamental knot, with projecting loops,
formed by doubling a ribbon orstring. 14. (n.) The U...
Bowstring (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Thestring of a bow. 2. (n.) Astring used by
the Turks for strangling offenders. 3. (vt) To strangle with a bowstring....
Resources
Does the string theory have any connection with belief in God? | GotQuestions.orgWhen can music be considered 'Christian music'? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Pekah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgString: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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