Cord - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

CORD

kord (chebhet, yether, methar, `abhoth; schoinion):

(1) The Arabic chab'l corresponds to the Hebrew chebhel and is still the common name for cord or rope throughout the East. Such ropes or cords are made of goat's or camel's hair, first spun into threads and then twisted or plaited into the larger and stronger form. Chebhel is translated rather inconsistently in the Revised Version (British and American) by "cord" (Joshua 2:15; Job 36:8, etc.); by "line" (2 Samuel 8:2; Micah 2:5; Psalms 16:6; 78:55; Amos 7:17; Zechariah 2:1); by "ropes" (1 Kings 20:31), and by "tacklings" (Isaiah 33:23).

(2) Yether corresponds to the Arabic wittar, which means catgut. With a kindred inconsistency it is translated the Revised Version (British and American) by "withes" (Judges 16:7 the Revised Version, margin "bowstring"); by "cord" (Job 30:11), where some think it may mean "bowstring," or possibly "rein" of a bridle, and by "bowstring" (Psalms 11:2), doubtless the true meaning.

(3) Methar is considered the equivalent of Arabic atnab, which means tent ropes, being constantly so used by the Bedouin. They make the thing so called of goat's or camel's hair. It is used of the "cords" of the tabernacle (Jeremiah 10:20), of the "cords" of the "hangings" and "pillars" of the courts of the tabernacle in Exodus and Numbers, and figuratively by Isaiah 54:2, "Lengthen thy cords," etc.

(4) `Abhoth is thought to have its equivalent in the Arabic rubuts, which means a band, or fastening. See BAND. It is translated by "cords" in Psalms 118:27; 129:4; by "bands" in Ezekiel 3:25; Job 39:10; Hosea 11:4; by "ropes" in Judges 15:13,14, and by "cart rope" in Isaiah 5:18. See CART. See also Numbers 15:38 and \AMULET\. It Seems to have the meaning of something twisted or interlaced.

(5) In the New Testament "cord" is found in John 2:15, translating schoinion, but in Acts 27:32 the same Greek word is rendered "ropes."

Figurative:

(1) of affliction (Job 36:8);

(2) of God's laws (Psalms 2:3);

(3) of the artifices of the wicked (Psalms 129:4; 140:5);

(4) of sinful habits (Proverbs 5:22);

(5) of true friendship or companionship (Ecclesiastes 4:12);

(6) possibly of the spinal cord (Ecclesiastes 12:6);

(7) of falsehood (Isaiah 5:18);

(8) of the spirit of enterprise and devotion (Isaiah 54:2);

(9) of God's gentleness.

George B. Eager

Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'CORD'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.