English · KJV
H2290

חֲגוֹר

chăgôwr /khag-ore'/ Ask about this word
Rootor חֲגֹר · and (feminine) חֲגוֹרָה · or חֲגֹרָה · from חָגַר
Meaninga belt (for the waist)
KJV usageapron, armour, gird(-le).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of chăgôwr — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word chăgôwr, represented by H2290, translates as a belt, apron, armour, or girdle. Derived from the root word חָגַר (châgar), it describes an item worn around the waist. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible, carrying a range of meanings from a simple covering to military equipment.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H2290 is used in diverse contexts. Its first appearance is in Genesis, where Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves to make themselves aprons after realizing they were naked Genesis 3:7. It is also used to signify military attire or readiness, described as armour for the Moabites preparing for battle 2 Kings 3:21. The term can also represent an item of value or status, as when Joab offered a man a girdle and ten shekels of silver as a reward 2 Samuel 18:11. Conversely, it features in judgment, with Joab's own girdle being stained by the blood of war shed in a time of peace 1 Kings 2:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and application of H2290:

  • H2296 châgar (to gird on): This is the primitive root from which H2290 is derived. It means to gird on an item like a belt or armor, as seen in commands to gird with sackcloth Jeremiah 6:26 or in preparation for the Passover Exodus 12:11.
  • H5903 ʻêyrôm (nudity; naked(-ness)): This word describes the state of nudity that prompted the creation of the first aprons H2290 in the Bible Genesis 3:7.
  • H8242 saq (sack(-cloth, -clothes)): This coarse cloth for mourning is explicitly linked to H2290 in the command to "gird sackcloth upon your loins" as a sign of distress and repentance Isaiah 32:11.
  • H5364 niqpâh (rent): In a prophecy of judgment, this word describes what will replace a fine girdle H2290, signifying a reversal of fortune from beauty to ruin Isaiah 3:24.

Theological Significance

The thematic significance of H2290 is tied to its specific use in scripture:

  • Covering for Shame: Its first use is to create aprons to cover nakedness after the fall, directly addressing a newfound sense of shame and vulnerability Genesis 3:7.
  • Military and Status: The word denotes military equipment, as in the armour worn for battle 2 Kings 3:21 and the bloodied girdle of Joab, a captain of the host 1 Kings 2:5. It is also used as a valuable item offered as a reward 2 Samuel 18:11.
  • Symbol of Judgment: In prophetic warnings, the H2290 is connected to judgment and mourning. Isaiah foretells that a beautiful girdle will be replaced with a "rent" Isaiah 3:24 and commands the people to strip themselves and gird on sackcloth Isaiah 32:11.

Summary

In summary, H2290 is a versatile term that signifies more than a simple article of clothing. It serves as the original solution to human nakedness, a functional piece of military gear, a mark of status, and a potent symbol in prophecies of judgment and repentance. From the first aprons in Genesis to the girdles of warriors and the sackcloth of mourners, it consistently relates to the condition and readiness of the person wearing it.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun and a verb across 9 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • חֲגֹרָה
  • חֲגֹר
  • חֲגֹרֹת
  • חֲגוֹרָה
  • חֲגֹרָת
  • חֲגוֹר

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H2296 חָגַר a primitive root; to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.); be able to put on, be afraid, appointed, gird, restrain, [idiom] H5903 עֵירֹם or עֵרֹם; from עָרַם; nudity; naked(-ness). H8242 שַׂק from שָׁקַק; properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mournin H5364 נִקְפָּה from נָקַף; probably a rope (as encircling); rent.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 6 verses across 5 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (2 verses); never once in the other 34.

1
Genesis
1
2 Samuel
1
1 Kings
1
2 Kings
2
Isaiah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.