Rope
“Cord, rope, band”
Summary
Ropes in Scripture served practical purposes but also carried symbolic significance, representing humiliation, binding, and the means of rescue or escape.
☩Practical Uses
Ropes were made from various plant fibers, animal hair, or leather and served countless purposes in ancient life. Rahab let down the spies from her window by a rope (cord). Ships used ropes for rigging; prisoners were bound with ropes; and heavy objects were moved with rope and tackle.
☩Symbol of Submission
Wearing ropes or sackcloth on the head signified humiliation and surrender. When Ben-hadad's servants approached Ahab seeking mercy, they came with sackcloth and ropes on their heads. This gesture acknowledged defeat and pleaded for clemency from the victor.
☩Cords of Sin
Scripture uses rope imagery to describe the binding power of sin and the means of escape. Proverbs warns that the wicked will be 'holden with the cords of his sins.' Isaiah pronounces woe on those who 'draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope.' Yet Christ came to break these bonds and set captives free.
Related Verses10 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Rope," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Rope," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Rope," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).