Cord

kord (chebhet, yether, methar, `abhoth; schoinion):

(1) The Arabic chab'l corresponds to the Hebrew chebhel and is still the common name for cord or rope throughout the East. Such ropes or cords are made of goat's or camel's hair, first spun into threads and then twisted or plaited into the larger and stronger form. Chebhel is translated rather inconsistently in the Revised Version (British and American) by "cord" (Jos 2:15; Job 36:8, etc.); by "line" (2Sa 8:2; Mic 2:5; Ps 16:6; 78:55; Am 7:17; Zec 2:1); by "ropes" (1Ki 20:31), and by "tacklings" (Isa 33:23).

(2) Yether corresponds to the Arabic wittar, which means catgut. With a kindred inconsistency it is translated the Revised Version (British and American) by "withes" (Jud 16:7 the Revised Version, margin "bowstring"); by "cord" (Job 30:11), where some think it may mean "bowstring," or possibly "rein" of a bridle, and by "bowstring" (Ps 11:2), doubtless the true meaning.

(3) Methar is considered the equivalent of Arabic atnab, which means tent ropes, being constantly so used by the Bedouin. They make the thing so called of goat's or camel's hair. It is used of the "cords" of the tabernacle (Jer 10:20), of the "cords" of the "hangings" and "pillars" of the courts of the tabernacle in Exodus and Numbers, and figuratively by Isa 54:2, "Lengthen thy cords," etc.

(4) `Abhoth is thought to have its equivalent in the Arabic rubuts, which means a band, or fastening. See BAND. It is translated by "cords" in Ps 118:27; 129:4; by "bands" in Eze 3:25; Job 39:10; Ho 11:4; by "ropes" in Jud 15:13,14, and by "cart rope" in Isa 5:18. See CART. See also Nu 15:38 and AMULET. It Seems to have the meaning of something twisted or interlaced.

(5) In the New Testament "cord" is found in Joh 2:15, translating schoinion, but in Ac 27:32 the same Greek word is rendered "ropes."

Figurative:

(1) of affliction (Job 36:8);

(2) of God's laws (Ps 2:3);

(3) of the artifices of the wicked (Ps 129:4; 140:5);

(4) of sinful habits (Pr 5:22);

(5) of true friendship or companionship (Ec 4:12);

(6) possibly of the spinal cord (Ec 12:6);

(7) of falsehood (Isa 5:18);

(8) of the spirit of enterprise and devotion (Isa 54:2);

(9) of God's gentleness.

George B. Eager