מֵ֫זַח (me.zach)
me.zach
belt
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun me·zach refers to a belt or girdle, a practical garment used to secure clothing and hold tools close to the body. In the Old Testament, it appears only three times, primarily in poetic books such as Psalms, Job, and Isaiah. Its meaning is straightforward but potent: it denotes the tight binding that keeps a person ready for action or movement.
One striking usage occurs in Psalm 109:18, where the psalmist describes a curse as something that covers him like a belt. This image suggests an inescapable weight or an enfolding constraint that clings to the wicked. The word conveys not just protection, but also restriction, wrapping around the wearer with a sense of permanence.
Another instance appears in Job 12:21, where God is said to "pour out contempt on nobles" and "loose the belt of the strong." Here, the me·zach represents strength and dignity. To loosen or remove it signifies humiliation and loss of power, showing how this everyday item carried deep symbolic weight in ancient Near Eastern culture.
Though rare, the word’s imagery is vivid. It reminds readers that physical objects in Scripture often carry theological meaning. The belt, simple as it seems, becomes a metaphor for both curse and strength, depending on who wears it and how it is used.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word me·zach describes a simple leather belt used to secure clothing and hold tools. In ancient times, this was not merely an accessory but a sign of readiness. When a person girded their loins, they prepared for travel, labor, or battle. The belt kept garments from tripping the wearer and allowed quick access to weapons or other necessities. It represents a state of alertness and practical strength.
Scripture uses this image in powerful ways. In Job 12:21, God loosens the belt of the strong, showing that human power is fragile before divine authority. The removal of the belt signifies humiliation and loss of control. Conversely, Psalm 109:19 speaks of a curse becoming like a belt worn constantly. This suggests an inescapable weight that clings to the wicked. These verses remind us that our strength comes from God alone.
For your faith, this word offers comfort and perspective. You do not need to rely on your own tight grip to survive life’s challenges. When you feel overwhelmed or stripped of dignity, remember that God holds ultimate authority over strength and weakness. He sustains those who trust in Him, providing true security that no earthly belt can offer.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ to/ a waistband1×
- and/ [the] belt of1×
- [is] a restraint1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֵ֥זַח1×
- וּ֝/לְ/מֵ֗זַח1×
- וּ/מְזִ֖יחַ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 12:21
He pours contempt on princes, and loosens the belt of the strong.
This verse uses the loosening of the belt to symbolize God’s power to strip nobles of their dignity and strength.
-
Psalms 109:19
Let it be to him as the clothing with which he covers himself, for the belt that is always around him.
Here the belt represents a curse that clings to the wicked like clothing, indicating an inescapable spiritual burden.
-
Isaiah 23:10
Pass through your land like the Nile, daughter of Tarshish. There is no restraint any more.
The absence of restraint is highlighted by the command to pass through without a belt, signaling total vulnerability and defeat.