ζώνη (zōnē)
zōnē
belt/sash/girdle
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun zōnē refers to a belt or sash worn around the waist. In the ancient world, this was not merely decorative; it served a practical function by gathering loose robes for ease of movement. As seen in the descriptions of John the Baptist and Jesus, wearing such a belt signaled readiness for travel or labor.
A notable feature of the zōnē was its hollow construction, which allowed it to function as a pouch for carrying coins. The Gospels record this detail when Jesus instructs his disciples to travel without money, noting they could keep their funds in their belts (Matthew 10:9; Mark 6:8). This dual purpose—securing clothing and holding valuables—makes the image vivid.
The word appears seven times in the New Testament, with significant usage in Revelation. There, it describes the garments of heavenly figures, including the one "like a son of man" girded with a golden belt (Revelation 1:13). This imagery connects the everyday tool of the traveler to the majestic authority of the divine.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word zōnē refers to a belt or sash worn around the waist in the ancient world. It was not merely decorative but served a practical purpose by gathering loose robes for ease of movement. This simple garment signaled readiness for travel or labor, reminding us that our faith often requires active engagement rather than passive observation.
One notable feature of the zōnē was its hollow construction, which allowed it to function as a pouch for carrying coins. The Gospels record this detail when Jesus instructs his disciples to travel without money, noting they could keep their funds in their belts (Matthew 10:9). This dual purpose—securing clothing and holding valuables—makes the image vivid and grounded in daily life.
In Revelation, the imagery shifts from the everyday tool of the traveler to the majestic authority of the divine. The one "like a son of man" is described as girded with a golden belt (Revelation 1:13). This connection between humble preparation and heavenly glory invites us to see our own readiness for service as part of God's grander story.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- belt3×
- a belt2×
- with a sash1×
- sashes1×
- belts1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ζώνην5×
- ζώνας2×
- ζώνη1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 10:9
Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts.
This verse highlights the practical use of the belt as a pouch, showing how Jesus instructed his disciples to rely on God's provision rather than carrying extra wealth.
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Revelation of John 1:13
And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest.
Here the golden sash signifies the majestic authority and priestly role of the risen Christ, elevating a common item into a symbol of divine glory.
-
Acts 21:11
Coming to us and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘So the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
Paul’s belt becomes a tangible object through which the Holy Spirit conveys a serious warning about future suffering, linking physical items to spiritual truth.