Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Description: A sandal is a type of footwear that consists of a sole fastened to the foot by straps or thongs. In biblical times, sandals were the most common form of footwear in the ancient Near East, including Israel. They were typically made from leather or other durable materials and were designed to protect the feet from the rough terrain and hot climate. Biblical References: Sandals are mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, often symbolizing various cultural and religious practices. In the Old Testament, sandals are frequently associated with daily life and travel. For instance, in Exodus 3:5, God instructs Moses to remove his sandals at the burning bush: "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." This act of removing sandals signifies reverence and respect in the presence of the divine. In the New Testament, sandals continue to hold practical and symbolic significance. In Mark 6:9, Jesus instructs His disciples to wear sandals during their missionary journeys: "Wear sandals, but not a second tunic." This directive emphasizes simplicity and readiness for service. Cultural and Religious Significance: Sandals in biblical times were more than just practical footwear; they held cultural and religious importance. The act of removing sandals was a sign of humility and respect, as seen in the encounter between Moses and God. Additionally, the exchange or removal of sandals could signify the transfer of property or the sealing of a covenant, as illustrated in Ruth 4:7: "Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel." Symbolism: Sandals can symbolize various spiritual truths in the Bible. They represent the readiness to follow God's call, as seen in the instructions given to the Israelites during the Passover in Exodus 12:11: "This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover." Here, sandals signify preparedness for the journey of faith and obedience to God's commands. Conclusion: While sandals are a simple and practical item, their presence in the Bible carries deep cultural, religious, and symbolic meanings. They remind believers of the importance of humility, readiness, and the sacredness of God's presence. Smith's Bible Dictionary Sandalwas the article ordinarily used by the Hebrews for protecting the feet. It consisted simply of a sole attached to the foot by thongs. We have express notice of the thong (Authorized Version "shoe latchet") in several passages, notably (Genesis 14:23; Isaiah 5:27; Mark 1:7) Sandals were worn by all classes of society in Palestine, even by the very poor; and both the sandal and the thong or shoe-latchet were so cheap and common that they passed into a proverb for the most insignificant thing. (Genesis 14:23) Ecclus. 46;13, They were dispensed with in-doors, and were only put on by persons about to undertake some business away from their homes. During mealtimes the feet were uncovered. (Luke 7:38; John 13:5,6) It was a mark of reverence to cast off the shoes in approaching a place or person of eminent sanctity. (Exodus 3:5; Joshua 5:15) It was also an indication of violent emotion, or of mourning, if a person appeared barefoot in public. (2 Samuel 15:30) To carry or to unloose a person's sandal was a menial office, betokening great inferiority on the part of the person performing it. (Matthew 3:11) Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Same as Sendal.2. (n.) Sandalwood. 3. (n.) A kind of shoe consisting of a sole strapped to the foot; a protection for the foot, covering its lower surface, but not its upper. 4. (n.) A kind of slipper. 5. (n.) An overshoe with parallel openings across the instep. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SANDALsan'-dal. Greek 4547. sandalion -- a sandal ... a sandal. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: sandalion Phonetic Spelling: (san-dal'-ee-on) Short Definition: a sandal Definition: a sandal. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4547.htm - 6k 5266. hupodema -- a sole bound under (the foot), a sandal 2438. himas -- a thong, strap Strong's Hebrew 5275. naal -- a sandal, shoenaal or naalah. 5274b, 5275. naal or naalah. 5276 . a sandal, shoe. Transliteration: naal or naalah Phonetic Spelling: (nah'-al) Short Definition: sandals. ... /hebrew/5275.htm - 6k 5430. seon -- sandal, boot (of a soldier) 8288. serok -- (sandal) thong 5274. na'al -- to bar, bolt, lock Library The Testament of Zebulun Concerning Compassion and Mercy. Observations on the Words of John the Baptist John I. ... The Tomb of the Pharaoh Matt. xiv. 13 Missed Ends Solomon Imperial Caesar A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad! The Image of Jealousy The Foot-Washing. Thesaurus Sandal (14 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SANDAL. san'-dal. See DRESS sec. 6; SHOE; SHOE-LATCHET. Multi-Version Concordance Sandal (14 Occurrences). ... /s/sandal.htm - 11k Sandal-strap (3 Occurrences) Sandal-thong (2 Occurrences) Sandal-wood (5 Occurrences) Unfasten (4 Occurrences) Shoe (13 Occurrences) Sandals (30 Occurrences) Lutes (16 Occurrences) Musicians (6 Occurrences) Makers (20 Occurrences) Resources Did John the Baptist lose his faith in Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 11:3; Luke 7:19)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the ankh symbol? | GotQuestions.org Sandal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Sandal (14 Occurrences)John 1:27 Acts 7:33 Acts 13:25 Genesis 14:23 Deuteronomy 25:9 Deuteronomy 25:10 Deuteronomy 29:5 Joshua 5:15 Ruth 4:7 Ruth 4:8 Psalms 60:8 Psalms 108:9 Isaiah 5:27 Isaiah 20:2 Subtopics Related Terms |