Ankles
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In the Bible, the term "ankles" is mentioned in various contexts, often symbolizing strength, stability, and movement. The ankle, as a part of the human body, plays a crucial role in mobility and balance, and its mention in Scripture can carry both literal and metaphorical significance.

Biblical References:

1. Ezekiel's Vision of the Temple Waters:
· In Ezekiel 47:3, the prophet describes a vision of water flowing from the temple. As he measures the water, it first reaches his ankles: "As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through water that was ankle-deep." This imagery signifies the initial stages of spiritual growth and the increasing depth of God's blessings and presence.

2. Healing of the Lame Man:
· In Acts 3:7, Peter heals a man who was lame from birth: "Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong." This miraculous healing underscores the power of faith and the apostles' authority through the Holy Spirit. The strengthening of the man's ankles symbolizes newfound strength and the ability to walk in the path of righteousness.

3. Symbol of Stability and Readiness:
· The ankle's role in providing stability is metaphorically significant in the Bible. While not always explicitly mentioned, the concept of being "firm-footed" or "steadfast" often implies the strength and readiness that strong ankles provide. This is reflected in passages that speak of standing firm in faith and being prepared for spiritual battles (Ephesians 6:13-15).

Cultural and Symbolic Significance:

In ancient Near Eastern culture, the ankle was considered a vital part of the body for movement and agility. A strong ankle was essential for warriors and travelers, symbolizing readiness and capability. In biblical symbolism, the ankle can represent the foundation of one's spiritual journey, the initial steps taken in faith, and the strength required to walk in God's ways.

Theological Implications:

The healing of the lame man's ankles in Acts is a powerful testament to the transformative power of Christ. It illustrates the physical and spiritual restoration available through faith. The mention of ankles in Ezekiel's vision serves as a metaphor for the progressive nature of spiritual growth and the deepening relationship with God.

Overall, the biblical references to ankles highlight themes of healing, strength, and spiritual progression. They remind believers of the importance of a firm foundation in faith and the readiness to walk in accordance with God's will.
Greek
4158. poderes -- reaching to the feet
... long robe, dress. From pous and another element of uncertain affinity; a dress
(esthes implied) reaching the ankles -- garment down to the foot. see GREEK pous. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4158.htm - 6k

4974. sphudron -- the ankle
... Definition: the ankle bone. Word Origin from sphuron (the ankle) Definition
the ankle NASB Word Usage ankles (1). ankle. Neuter of a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4974.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
658a. ophes -- the two extremities (ie the soles of the feet or ...
... 658, 658a. ophes. 658b . the two extremities (ie the soles of the feet or
the ankles). Transliteration: ophes Short Definition: ankles. ...
/hebrew/658a.htm - 5k

658. Ephec Dammiym -- the two extremities (ie the soles of the ...
... the two extremities (ie the soles of the feet or the ankles). Transliteration: Ephec
Dammiym Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-fes dam-meem') Short Definition: dammim. ...
/hebrew/658.htm - 5k

Library

Addition to Acts of Philip.
... And he ordered to bring clubs and strong cords; and after piercing Philip's ankles
they brought hooks, and put the cords through his ankles, and hung him head ...
/.../unknown/the acts of philip/addition to acts of philip.htm

It was Friday Night, and Diamond, Like the Rest of the Household.. ...
... "Ankle indeed! Why should you ape your betters? Horses ain't got any ankles:
they're only pasterns. And so long as you don't lift ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 32 it was friday.htm

Chapter xxxvii
... about knee-length. But passim means "ankles" or "wrists." Consequently,
this tunic was sleeved and extended to the ankles. It was ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvii.htm

The Acts of Philip.
... And he ordered Philip to be hanged, and his ankles to be pierced, and to bring also
iron hooks, and his heels also to be driven through, and to be hanged head ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the acts of philip/the acts of philip.htm

From the First Chapter.
... "Clothed with a garment down to the ankles."] In the long, that is, the priestly
garment, these words very plainly deliver the flesh which was not corrupted in ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the first chapter.htm

The Right to Regulate My Private Affairs as I Wish
... trouser legs. Her short stockings reached about eight inches above her
ankles, and were held in place by tight round garters. She ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 4 the right to.htm

Baptism --A Burial
... while the ocean rolls before us. At best we wade up to our ankles like our
little ones on the sea shore. A few among us are learning ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/baptisma burial.htm

The Races --A Letter
... As for jewels, of gold as well as silver, there were many there, on arms, ankles,
necks, and noses, which made white ladies fresh from England break the tenth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xv the racesa letter.htm

Early Missionary Experiences
... Mission compound, where, at the door of the hospital, we found the two poor coolies
with whom Mr. Wylie had conversed, their four ankles terribly shattered by ...
/.../taylor/a retrospect/chapter ix early missionary experiences.htm

Acts III
... (7) And seizing him by the right hand, he lifted him up, and immediately his feet
and ankles received strength; (8) and leaping forth, he stood and walked, and ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts iii.htm

Thesaurus
Ankles (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ankles (5 Occurrences). Acts 3:7 Then taking his hand
Peter lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened. ...
/a/ankles.htm - 7k

Enlargest (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Enlargest (4 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 22:37 Thou enlargest
my step under me, And mine ankles have not slidden. (YLT). ...
/e/enlargest.htm - 7k

Ankle-deep (1 Occurrence)
Ankle-deep. Ankle-chains, Ankle-deep. Ankles . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See
RSV NIV). Ankle-chains, Ankle-deep. Ankles . Reference Bible.
/a/ankle-deep.htm - 6k

Slidden (5 Occurrences)
... crowd in the place. (DBY). 2 Samuel 22:37 Thou enlargest my step under me,
And mine ankles have not slidden. (YLT). Psalms 17:5 To ...
/s/slidden.htm - 7k

Wavered (2 Occurrences)
... through faith, giving glory to God, (ASV). Psalms 18:36 Thou didst enlarge
my steps under me, and mine ankles have not wavered. (DBY). ...
/w/wavered.htm - 7k

Enlargedst (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Enlargedst (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel 22:37 Thou enlargedst
my steps under me; And mine ankles did not slip. (DBY). ...
/e/enlargedst.htm - 6k

Presently (25 Occurrences)
... Acts 3:7 And having seized him by the right hand, he raised 'him' up, and
presently his feet and ankles were strengthened, (YLT). ...
/p/presently.htm - 14k

Chains (100 Occurrences)
... As ornaments for the person they were worn about the ankles (Numbers 31:50
Isaiah 3:20) and about the neck (Songs 4:9 Ezekiel 16:11). ...
/c/chains.htm - 39k

Cloak (73 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary An upper garment, "an exterior tunic, wide and long,
reaching to the ankles, but without sleeves" (Isaiah 59:17). ...
/c/cloak.htm - 30k

Chain (21 Occurrences)
... As ornaments for the person they were worn about the ankles (Numbers 31:50
Isaiah 3:20) and about the neck (Songs 4:9 Ezekiel 16:11). ...
/c/chain.htm - 18k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Ankles (5 Occurrences)

Acts 3:7
Then taking his hand Peter lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened.
(WEY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 22:37
Thou enlargedst my steps under me; And mine ankles did not slip.
(DBY YLT NIV)

Psalms 18:36
Thou didst enlarge my steps under me, and mine ankles have not wavered.
(DBY YLT NIV)

Isaiah 3:16
Again, the Lord has said, Because the daughters of Zion are full of pride, and go with outstretched necks and wandering eyes, with their foot-chains sounding when they go:
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 47:3
When the man went forth eastward with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the ankles.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Subtopics

Ankles

Related Terms

Achsah (5 Occurrences)

Jewel (12 Occurrences)

Proper (62 Occurrences)

Ankle-chain

Anklechain

Anklets (1 Occurrence)

Ankle (2 Occurrences)

Ankles (5 Occurrences)

Elamarna

Tablets (31 Occurrences)

El-amarna

Tell (3056 Occurrences)

Names (133 Occurrences)

Ankle-deep
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