Girdle – (n) An article drawn about the loins and fastened to provide protection and support.
This word appears 45 times in Scripture: 39 times to Israel in their Masoretic Text Old Testament; 2 times to Israel in their Koine Greek Old Testament (Matthew thru John); 2 times to the Body of Christ in the transition book of Acts; 2 times to Israel’s Little Flock in their tribulation book of Revelation.
Gird – (v) To encircle and bind something at its girth; (n) A covering, clothing.
This word appears in its various forms 70 times in Scripture: 57 times to Israel in their Masoretic Text Old Testament; 7 times to Israel in their Koine Greek Old Testament (Matthew thru John); Once to Israel in the transition book of Acts; Once to the Body of Christ in the transition book of Acts; Once to the Body of Christ in the Gospel of Grace (Romans thru Philemon); and 3 times to Israel’s Little Flock in their tribulation books (Hebrews thru Revelation).
Today, the word girdle, as a garment, has been relegated singularly as a reference to ‘A woman’s elastic undergarment’. While in fact, weightlifters gird themselves to prevent injuries while lifting. But because of the ignorance of society, instead of calling it what it really is, a girdle, it is referred to as ‘a weightlifter’s belt’.
Girdles are used to strengthen, protect, bind (like a belt), or cover (like an apron). A girdle can be fashioned from anything. John the Baptist wore a leather girdle, Jesus girded himself with a towel when he washed the disciple’s feet. The bottom of ships are reinforced with undergirding. Animals are girded with blankets, saddles, and packs. Paps are girded with bras. A cummerbund is a decorative girdle. God told Israel’s Little Flock to gird up the loins of their mind.
To know what girded is referring to requires that you know if the word is being used as a noun or as verb; girded as a noun is being dressed (clothed), whereas as a verb, it means that a girdle is being used. In Scripture, being fully clothed required the use of a girdle to hold the garments in place.
Any time you are wearing clothing you are girded. If you encircle yourself with any kind of material (like a belt), you are wearing a girdle. When you reinforce your mind (learn), or restrain your actions, thoughts, or desires, you are girding-up the loins of your mind.
See also Loin, Pap