GIRDLE (אֵזﯴר, H258, waistcloth; אַבְנֵט, H77, girdle, sash; חֲגﯴר, H2512, belt; חֲגﯴרָה, H2514, belt, loin-covering; חֵ֫שֶׁב, H3109, sash, band—part of the Ephod; ζωνή, belt, loincloth). The girdle was that article of clothing that bound up the undergarment or tunic. It was made of leather (2 Kings 1:8; Matt 3:4) or cloth (Lev 16:4; Jer 13:1) or even (fig.) gold (Dan 10:5; Rev 1:13). The sash of the high priest was highly decorated with embroidery (Exod 28:39; 39:29). The primary function of the girdle was to hold the tunic out of the way so that it would not impede movement (Luke 12:35, 37; 17:8). This use is referred to metaphorically (Isa 11:5; Eph 6:14; and 1 Pet 1:13). As a belt, it held both the sword (Judg 3:16; 1 Sam 25:13; 2 Sam 20:8) and the purse (Matt 10:9). See Belt.