מַחֲגֹרֶת
𐤌𐤇𐤂𐤓𐤕
machăgôreth
H4228 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A wide band or belt, typically made of cloth, leather, or similar material, worn around the waist either as a functional item of dress to secure garments or as an accessory for carrying objects. The term can also refer more generally to any binding or sash used for girding oneself, particularly with reference to clothing for daily use, travel, or preparedness for action.
Semantic Range
belt, girdle, sash, band for the waist, item for binding or securing the midsection
Root / Etymology
From the root חגר (ḥ-g-r), meaning 'to gird, bind, fasten around the waist.' The form מַחֲגֹרֶת is a noun formation indicating an item used for the action implied by the root—thus, a 'belt' or 'girdle.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The noun מַחֲגֹרֶת occurs infrequently in the Hebrew Bible (notably in 1 Samuel 18:4; 2 Samuel 18:11), always indicating a physical belt or sash worn as part of dress. It is closely related to the verbal root חגר ('to gird'), which describes the action of wrapping a belt or sash around the body, often for the purposes of work, battle, or travel. In ancient Israelite society, belts and sashes served both practical (holding up garments, securing weapons) and social (signifying rank or status) functions. The term is distinct from other Hebrew words for clothing accessories such as אֵזוֹר (ʾēzor, a wide band or sash) or חָגוֹר (ḥāgōr, a generic belt), with מַחֲגֹרֶת emphasizing the manufactured item itself. English translations often render it 'girdle' or 'belt,' but these terms may fail to convey its general utility in everyday and ceremonial apparel. The association with readiness or preparedness—especially for movement or combat—is implied in contexts where the act of girding is mentioned. In later Hebrew, related forms continued to refer to belts or sashes, but by the Hellenistic period, distinct terms emerged for various specialized garments and accessories.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חָגַר; a girdle; girding.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חגר (ḥ-g-r) — to gird, to bind, to fasten around the waist
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2289 | חָגוֹר | belted ones |
| H2290 | חֲגוֹר | his girding-belt |
| H2296 | חָגַר | she girded on |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4228-01 |
מַחֲגֹ֣רֶת | machagoret | HNcfsc |
girding | belt of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4228-01 |
Isaiah 3:24 | מַחֲגֹ֣רֶת | machagoret | HNcfsc |
girding | belt of |