The term "ragged" is not directly found in the Berean Standard Bible , but the concept of raggedness, often associated with poverty, humility, and destitution, is prevalent throughout the Scriptures. The imagery of ragged clothing is frequently used to depict a state of need or spiritual poverty, contrasting with the righteousness and provision of God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, clothing often symbolizes one's status and condition. For instance, in 1 Samuel 2:7, it is stated, "The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts." This verse highlights God's sovereignty over human conditions, including poverty, which can be symbolized by ragged clothing. The prophet Isaiah also uses clothing imagery to convey spiritual truths. In Isaiah 64:6, he writes, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." Here, "filthy rags" symbolize the inadequacy of human righteousness compared to God's holiness.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the theme of raggedness is often associated with humility and the call to rely on God's provision. Jesus, in His teachings, emphasizes the blessedness of the poor in spirit. In Matthew 5:3, He declares, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." This beatitude underscores the spiritual richness that comes from recognizing one's own spiritual poverty and need for God.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, also touches on themes of contentment and reliance on God regardless of material circumstances. In Philippians 4:12-13, he writes, "I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Here, Paul acknowledges the reality of physical need, which could include wearing ragged clothing, yet he points to the sufficiency found in Christ.

Spiritual Implications

The concept of raggedness in the Bible often serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths. It reminds believers of the importance of humility and the recognition of one's need for God's grace. The ragged state can symbolize the human condition apart from God, emphasizing the need for spiritual renewal and the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ.

Furthermore, the Bible calls believers to care for those in physical need, reflecting God's compassion and justice. In James 2:15-16, the apostle challenges the church, "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells them, 'Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,' but does not provide for their physical needs, what good is that?" This passage underscores the call to practical love and generosity, addressing the physical and spiritual needs of others.

In summary, while the term "ragged" itself may not appear in the BSB, the themes associated with it—poverty, humility, and reliance on God—are woven throughout the biblical narrative, offering profound insights into the human condition and God's redemptive work.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Rag.

2. (n.) Rent or worn into tatters, or till the texture is broken; as, a ragged coat; a ragged sail.

3. (n.) Broken with rough edges; having jags; uneven; rough; jagged; as, ragged rocks.

4. (n.) Hence, harsh and disagreeable to the ear; dissonant.

5. (n.) Wearing tattered clothes; as, a ragged fellow.

6. (n.) Rough; shaggy; rugged.

5553. sela -- a crag, cliff
... ragged rock, stony, strong hold. From an unused root meaning to be lofty; a
craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress) -- (ragged ...
/hebrew/5553.htm - 6k

For Ragged Schools.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCCXLVI. For Ragged Schools. 8.8.8.8 James Montgomery.
For Ragged Schools. The poorest of the poor are we,. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn cccxlvi for ragged schools.htm

Human Soot
... Preached for the Kirkdale Ragged Schools, Liverpool, 1870. ... I am here to plead for
the Kirkdale Industrial Ragged School, and Free School-room Church. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxiii human soot.htm

Chapter ix.
... Now, some have wished to derive the interpretation of this expression from the Greek,
supposing that a ragged person is called "Raca," because a rag is called ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter ix.htm

(And Last): Homeward Bound
... It was too dark to see houses, palm-trees, aught but the ragged outline of the hills
against the northern sky, and beneath, sparks of light in sheltered coves ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xvii and last homeward.htm

The Dying News Boy
... THE DYING NEWS BOY. In a dark alley in the great city of New York, a small,
ragged boy might be seen. He appeared to be about twelve ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/the dying news boy.htm

Of the Affectionate Languishing of the Heart Wounded with Love.
... this love, the soul seems to abandon all other care, all other exercises, yea and
herself too, whence Plato said that love was poor, ragged, naked, barefoot ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xv of the affectionate.htm

Look on Him whom they Pierced, and Mourn.
... 2 O the sharp pangs of smarting pain My dear Redeemer bore, When knotty
whips and ragged thorns His sacred body tore! 3 But knotty ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 149305556 look on him.htm

Look on Him whom they Pierced, and Mourn.
... My dear Redeemer bore,. When knotty whips and ragged thorns. His sacred body
tore! But knotty whips and ragged thorns. In vain do I accuse; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 95 look on him.htm

Instability
... Then there is a Ragged-school. ... Hear them talk about Ragged-schools a month afterwards:
they shake their heads and say it is a very arduous enterprise. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/instability.htm

Chapter twenty-seven
... with the pistol made a significant gesture with it and, with his companion, pulled
and pushed the Bishop down the alley and through a ragged, broken opening in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-seven.htm

Ragged (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Rent or worn into tatters, or till the texture is broken; as, a ragged coat;
a ragged sail. ... 5. (n.) Wearing tattered clothes; as, a ragged fellow. ...
/r/ragged.htm - 7k

Shabby (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Torn or worn to rage; poor; mean; ragged.
2. (n.) Clothed with ragged, much worn, or soiled garments. ...
/s/shabby.htm - 6k

Raging (26 Occurrences)

/r/raging.htm - 13k

Valley (187 Occurrences)
... No language can picture correctly the Jordan valley, the winding stream, the jungles
on its banks, the strange Ghor with its white, ragged sides, the vast ...
/v/valley.htm - 75k

Fray (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Fight, or (v.) To become ragged at the
ends. 2. (vt) To frighten; to terrify; to alarm. 3. (vt ...
/f/fray.htm - 8k

Terribly (9 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 2:21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged
rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth ...
/t/terribly.htm - 9k

Tight (9 Occurrences)
... 5. (superl.) Fitting close, or too close, to the body; as, a tight coat or
other garment. 6. (superl.) Not ragged; whole; neat; tidy. ...
/t/tight.htm - 10k

Rough (24 Occurrences)
... water. 5. (n.) Marked by coarseness; shaggy; ragged; disordered; -- said
of dress, appearance, or the like; as, a rough coat. 6. (n ...
/r/rough.htm - 15k

Rag
... 5. (n.) A coarse kind of rock, somewhat cellular in texture. 6. (n.) A ragged edge.
7. (n.) A sail, or any piece of canvas. 8. (vi) To become tattered. ...
/r/rag.htm - 7k

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