Bag

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Bag (  John 12:6;  John 13:29 γλωσσόκομον; in  Luke 12:33 βαλάντια is translation ‘bags’ in Authorized Version, but Revised Version Nt 1881, Ot 1885 ‘purses’; see Purse).

Γλωσσόκομον (in Nt peculiar to St. John) meant originally a case for keeping the mouth-pieces of wind instruments (γλᾶσσα, κομεω); so Phrynicus, who gives γλωσσοκομεῖον as the proper form, rejecting that of Nt, which, however, is found in an old Doric inscription, in later Comic writers and in Lxx Septuagint (see Liddell and Scott). The (Revised Version margin) ‘box’ seems the better rendering. Field ( O N [Note: N Otium Norvicense.] ) has a very full note, in which he concludes that γλ . , both in its general and in its special sense, means not a bag, but a box or chest, always of wood or other hard material. Thus Hesychius defines it as a wooden receptacle of remnants (σορὸς ξυλίνη τῶν λειψανων); Arrian mentions γλωσσὁκομα made of tortoise-shell; in the Anthology γλ . is apparently a coffin (‘when I look at Nicanor the coffin-maker [σοροπηγόν], and consider for what purpose he makes these wooden boxes [γλωσσοκομα]’); and in an inscription quoted by Hatch ( Essays in Biblical Greek ) γλ. means the strong box or muniment chest of an association. The Lxx Septuagint translates אָרוֹן in  2 Chronicles 24:8 f. by Γλ . (the chest for the offerings, but κιβωτός in  2 Kings 12:9 f. as usually), which Cod. A also gives in  2 Samuel 6:11 (the Ark). Aquila uses γλ. for אָרון in all its significations, e.g. coffin ( Genesis 50:26), the Ark ( Exodus 37:1,  1 Samuel 5:1,  2 Samuel 6:11). Ancient Versions of Jn. agree with this view; Vulgate gives loculos, the plural, says Field, ‘indicating several partitions,’ a small portable cash-box; D [Note: Deuteronomist.] lat. loculum  ; Nonnus ὁουρατεην χηλὀν, ligneam arculam . In favour of Authorized and Revised Versions it may be urged that something small and easily carried is required by the context, whereas the above instances are chiefly larger boxes (but note use of γλ. by Hesychius and Arrian above). Again, in  1 Samuel 6:8 f. אַרְנָּן (Authorized and Revised Versions ‘coffer’) is translation γλωσσὁκομον by Josephus, and is from a root ‘to tremble, wag, move to and fro,’ whence in Arabic there is a similar word meaning a bag filled with stones hung at the sides of camels to preserve equilibrium (see Gesenius, Lex. ). In modern Greek also γλ. means purse or bag (Hatch).

The γλ. was the receptacle for the money of Jesus and the disciples; it contained, no doubt, the proceeds of the sale of their goods, and gave the idea later of the common fund ( Acts 4:32 f.); it was replenished by the gifts of friends ( Luke 8:3); and from it the poor were helped ( John 13:29). Judas may have been entrusted with it as being the best fitted for such work; but what might have proved a blessing, as giving useful employment for his talents, became the means of his ruin. Other suggested explanations are: that Christ thought lit to call forth a manifestation of his sin as the only means of cure (Hengstenberg); or that it was simply a private arrangement between the disciples (Godet). The ‘bag’ could not have been taken from him, as Edersheim ( Life and Times , ii. 472) remarks, without exposing him to the others, and precipitating his moral destruction. See Judas Iscariot.

W. H. Dundas.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 2 Kings 5:23 Isaiah 3:22 Deuteronomy 25:13 Proverbs 16:11 Micah 6:11 Proverbs 1:14 Isaiah 46:6 Luke 10:4 Luke 12:33 Luke 22:35-36

3. A cloth tied up in a bundle is translated as bag ( Job 14:17;  Proverbs 7:20;  Haggai 1:6 ) or bundle ( Genesis 42:35;  1 Samuel 25:29; Song of  Song of Solomon 1:13 ). The size of the bundle would depend on its use. This type of bag was used to hold money ( Genesis 42:35;  Proverbs 7:20;  Haggai 1:6; see  2 Kings 12:10 where the verb form, “to tie up in bags,” is used) or something loose such as myrrh (Song of   Song of Solomon 1:13 ). This term for bag is used figuratively to speak of one's sins being bundled up (and perhaps sealed; “bag of transgressions,”  Job 14:17 ) and one's life being bundled up and protected by God (“bundle of the living,”  1 Samuel 25:29 ).

4. The shepherd's bag (Kjv “scrip” or “vessel”). Used by shepherds and travelers to carry one or more days' supplies, it was made of animal skins and slung across the shoulder. Joseph's brothers carried grain in such a bag ( Genesis 42:25 ). Saul's bag was empty of bread when he went to meet Samuel ( 1 Samuel 9:7 ), and David collected stones in his shepherd's bag when confronting Goliath (1Samuel 17:40, 1 Samuel 17:49 ). An Israelite traveler whose bag of provisions was empty could eat from a fellow Israelite's vineyard, but was not permitted to fill his bag for the rest of the journey ( Deuteronomy 23:24 ). Jesus commanded His disciples not to carry a bag when He sent them out to preach ( Matthew 10:10;  Mark 6:8;  Luke 9:3;  Luke 10:4 ). They were to be totally dependent on God and the hospitality and support of God's people (compare  Numbers 18:31;  1 Corinthians 9:3-14 ). The disciples learned from this experience that they would be cared for; but because of the critical nature of what they were about to face, Jesus later instructed His disciples to begin carrying a purse, bag, and—very curiously—a sword ( Luke 22:35-36 ). The Hebrew word for shepherd's bag is also translated as “carriage.” See Carriage .

5. A large sack used to carry grain ( Genesis 42:25 ,Genesis 42:25, 42:27 ,Genesis 42:27, 42:35;  Joshua 9:4; see  Leviticus 11:32 ). The same Hebrew word is translated as sackcloth worn during times of mourning or humiliation. See Sackcloth .

6. Kjv translates glossokomon as bag in   John 12:6;  John 13:29 . The glossokomon was actually a money box. See Money Box.

Phil Logan

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: γλωσσόκομον (Strong'S #1101 — Noun Neuter — glossokomon — gloce-sok'-om-on )

from glossa, "a tongue," and komeo, "to tend," was, firstly, "a case" in which to keep the mouthpiece of wind instruments; secondly, "a small box" for any purpose, but especially a "casket or purse," to keep money in. It is used of the "bag" which Judas carried,  John 12:6;  13:29; in the Sept. of  2 Chronicles 24:8,10 , used of the "box" appointed by King Joash for offerings for the repair of the Temple.

2: βαλλάντιον (Strong'S #905 — Noun Neuter — ballantion — bal-an'-tee-on )

from ballo, "to cast," "a money-box or purse," is found in Luke's Gospel, four times,  Luke 10:4;  12:33 (Av, "bag"); 22:35,36. See Purse.

 Matthew 10:9 Mark 6:8Girdle.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Bag. Bag is the rendering of several words in the Old and New Testaments.

1. Hebrew, Charitim , the "bags" in which Naaman bound up the two talents of silver for Gehazi.  2 Kings 5:23. They were long cone-like bags of the size to hold a precise amount of money, and tied or sealed for that amount, as we stamp the value on a coin.

2. Hebrew, Cis , a bag for carrying weights,  Deuteronomy 25:13, also used as a purse  Proverbs 1:14.

3. Hebrew, Celi , in  Genesis 42:25, is the "sack" in which Jacob's sons carried the corn which they brought from Egypt.

4. The shepherd's "bag" used by David was for the purpose of carrying the lambs unable to walk.  Zechariah 11:15;  Zechariah 16:5.

5. Hebrew, Tschar , properly a "bundle,"  Genesis 42:35, appears to have been used by travellers for carrying money during a long journey.  Proverbs 7:20.

6. The "bag" which Judas carried was probably a small box or chest.  John 12:6;  John 13:29.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (v. t.) To seize, capture, or entrap; as, to bag an army; to bag game.

(2): (n.) A sack or pouch, used for holding anything; as, a bag of meal or of money.

(3): (v. i.) To become pregnant.

(4): (v. i.) To swell with arrogance.

(5): (v. i.) To swell or hang down like a full bag; as, the skin bags from containing morbid matter.

(6): (v. t.) To furnish or load with a bag or with a well filled bag.

(7): (v. t.) To put into a bag; as, to bag hops.

(8): (n.) A certain quantity of a commodity, such as it is customary to carry to market in a sack; as, a bag of pepper or hops; a bag of coffee.

(9): (n.) The quantity of game bagged.

(10): (n.) A sort of silken purse formerly tied about men's hair behind, by way of ornament.

(11): (n.) A sac, or dependent gland, in animal bodies, containing some fluid or other substance; as, the bag of poison in the mouth of some serpents; the bag of a cow.

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Job 14:17 (a) We are to learn from this that God is keeping a careful record of every sin, none are overlooked, none are forgotten. Each one is preserved by God against the record of the sinner unless all of them are blotted out by the precious Blood of Jesus.

 Haggai 1:6 (b) This represents a business that failed, stocks and bonds that lose their value, barrenness in the fields caused by crop failure, the loss of sheep and cattle - generally speaking, the failure of those enterprises into which GOD's people put their money instead of giving it to Him. Those who rob God of that which is His due, will not profit by that which they save.

 John 12:6 (a) Judas was the treasurer for the disciples and was stealing from the fund entrusted to his care. It is a lesson to us not to misuse that which belongs to the Lord, and which is in our possession for safekeeping.

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

a purse or pouch,  Deuteronomy 25:13;  1 Samuel 17:40;  Luke 12:33;  Job 14:17 . The money collected in the treasuries of eastern princes was reckoned up in certain equal sums, put into bags and sealed. These are, in some parts of the Levant, called purses, where they estimate great expenses by so many purses. The money collected in the temple in the time of Joash, for its reparation, seems, in like manner, to have been told up in bags of equal value; and these were probably delivered sealed to those who paid the workmen,   2 Kings 12:10 . In the east, in the present day, a bag of money passes, for some time at least, currently from hand to hand, under the authority of a banker's seal, without any examination of its contents. See Tob_9:5; Tob_11:16 .

Easton's Bible Dictionary

The "bag" of Judas was a small box ( John 12:6;  13:29 ).

Copyright Statement These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.

Bibliography Information Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Bag'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/b/bag.html. 1897.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Bag.  Deuteronomy 25:13, and  Luke 12:33, where the R. V. reads "purses." Eastern money was often sealed up in bags containing a certain sum, for which they passed current while the seal remained unbroken.  2 Kings 12:10. The same custom continues at this day.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

 Deuteronomy 25:13   Luke 12:33 . Eastern money was often sealed up in bags containing a certain sum, for which they passed current while the seal remained unbroken,  2 Kings 12:10 .

King James Dictionary

Bag, n.Norm. bage, a bag, a coffer, bagnes, baggage. This word seems to be from the root of pack, pouch.

1. A sack a pouch, usually of cloth or leather, used to

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Fig. 81—Money Purses

Bag, a purse or pouch ( Deuteronomy 25:13;  Job 14:17;  1 Samuel 17:40;  Luke 12:33). The money deposited in the treasuries of Eastern princes, or intended for large payments, or to be sent to a government as taxes or tribute, is collected in long narrow bags or purses, each containing a certain amount of money, and sealed with the official seal. As the money is counted for this purpose, and sealed with great care by officers properly appointed, the bag, or purse, passes current, as long as the seal remains unbroken, for the amount marked thereon. In the receipt and payment of large sums, this is a great and important convenience in countries where the management of large transactions by paper is unknown, or where a currency is chiefly or wholly of silver it saves the great trouble of counting or weighing loose money. This usage is so well established, that, at this day, in the Levant, 'a purse' is the very name for a certain amount of money (now five pounds sterling), and all large payments are stated in 'purses.' The antiquity of this custom is attested by the monuments of Egypt, in which the ambassadors of distant nations are represented as bringing their tributes in sealed bags of money to Thothmes Iii; and we see the same bags deposited intact in the royal treasury. When coined money was not used, the seal must have been considered a voucher not only for the amount, but for the purity of the metal. The money collected in the Temple, in the time of Joash, seems to have been made up into bags of equal value after this fashion; which were probably delivered, sealed, to those who paid the workmen ( 2 Kings 12:10; comp. also  2 Kings 5:23;  Tobit 9:5;  Tobit 11:15).

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

a purse or pouch. The following words in the original are thus rendered in the English version of the Bible:

1. חָרַיטּ, charit', a pocket (Sept. θύλακος, Vulg. saccus ), the "bags" in which Naaman bound up the two talents of silver for Gehazi ( 2 Kings 5:23), probably so called, according to Gesenius, from their long. cone-like shape. The word only occurs besides in  Isaiah 3:22 (A. V. "crisping- pins"), and there denotes the reticules carried by the Hebrew ladies.

2. כּיס , kis (Sept. μάρσιππος, μαρσύπιον, Vulg. sacculus, saccellus ), a bag for carrying weights ( Deuteronomy 25:13;  Proverbs 16:11;  Micah 6:11); also used as a purse ( Proverbs 1:14;  Isaiah 46:6); hence a cup ( Proverbs 23:31).

3. כְּלי , keli (Sept. κάδιον, Vulg. pera ), translated "bag" in  1 Samuel 17:40;  1 Samuel 17:49, is a word of most general meaning, and is generally rendered "vessel" or "instrument." In  Genesis 42:25, it is the "sack" in which Jacob's sons carried the corn which they brought from Egypt, and in  1 Samuel 9:7;  1 Samuel 21:5, it denotes a bag or wallet for carrying food (A. V. "vessel;" compare  Judges 10:5;  Judges 13:10;  Judges 13:15). The shepherd's "bag" which David had seems to have been worn by him as necessary to his calling, and was probably, from a comparison of  Zechariah 11:15-16 (where A.V. "instruments" is the same word), for the purpose of carrying the lambs which were unable to walk or were lost, and contained materials for healing such as were sick and binding up those that were broken (comp.  Ezekiel 34:4;  Ezekiel 34:16). 4. צַרור . tseror (Sept. ἔνδεσμος, δεσμός, Vulg. sacculus ), properly a "bundle" ( Genesis 42:35;  1 Samuel 25:29), appears to have been used by travelers for carrying money during a long journey ( Proverbs 7:20;  Haggai 1:6; compare  Luke 12:33;  Tobit 9:5). In such "bundles" the priests bound up the money which was contributed for the restoration of the Temple under Jehoiada ( 2 Kings 12:10; A. V. "put up in bags")

5. The "bag" (γλωσσόκομον , Vulg. loculi ) which Judas carried was probably a small box or chest ( John 12:6;  John 13:29). The Greek word is the same as that used in the Sept. for "chest" in  2 Chronicles 24:8;  2 Chronicles 24:10-11, and originally signified a box used by musicians for carrying the mouthpieces of their instruments.

6. The βαλάντιον , or wallet ( Luke 10:4;  Luke 12:33;  Luke 22:35-36). Of these terms it will only be necessary here to discuss one application, which they all sustain, i.e. as a receptacle for money. The money deposited in the treasuries of Eastern princes, or intended for large payments, or to be sent to a government as taxes or tribute, is collected in long, narrow bags or purses, each containing a certain amount of money, and sealed with the official seal. As the money is counted for this purpose, and sealed with great care by officers properly appointed, the bag or purse passes current, as long as the seal remains unbroken, for the amount marked thereon. In the receipt and payment of large sums, this is a great and important convenience in countries where the management of large transactions by paper is unknown, or where a currency is chiefly or wholly of silver; it saves the great trouble of counting or weighing loose money. This usage is so well established that, at this day, in the Levant, "a purse" is the very name for a certain amount of money (now twenty-five dollars), and all large payments are stated in "purses." The antiquity of this custom is attested by the monuments of Egypt, in which the ambassadors of distant nations are represented as bringing their tributes in sealed bags of money to Thothmes Iii; and we see the same bags deposited intact in the royal treasury (Wilkinson, 1:148, abridgm.). When coined money was not used, the seal must have been considered a voucher not only for the amount, but for the purity of the metal. The money collected in the Temple, in the time of Joash, seems to have been made up into bags of equal value after this fashion, which were probably delivered sealed to those who paid the workmen ( 2 Kings 12:10; comp. also  2 Kings 5:23;  Tobit 9:5;  Tobit 11:16). (See Money).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Bags of various kinds are mentioned in the English Bible, but often in a way to obscure rather than tr the original.

(1) "Bag" is used for a Hebrew word which means a shepherd's "bag," rendered "wallet" in the Revised Version (British and American). This "bag" of the shepherd or "haversack" of the traveler was of a size sufficient for one or more days' provisions. It was made of the skin of animals, ordinarily undressed, as most of the other "bags" of ancient times were, and was carried slung across the shoulder. This is the "scrip for the journey" πήρα , pḗra mentioned in  Matthew 10:10 and its parallel (the King James Version). ("Scrip" is Old English, now obsolete.) A unique word appears in   1 Samuel 17:40 ,  1 Samuel 17:49 which had to be explained even to Hebrew readers by the gloss, "the shepherd's bag," but which is likewise rendered "wallet" by the American Standard Revised Version.

(2) "Bag" translates also a word βαλλάντιον , ballántion which stands for the more finished leather pouch, or satchel which served as a "purse" (see Christ's words,  Luke 10:4 King James Version: "Carry neither purse , nor scrip," and  Luke 12:33 King James Version: "Provide yourselves bags which wax not old"). The word rendered "purse" in   Matthew 10:9 : "Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses ";  Mark 6:8 : "No money in their purse ," is a different word entirely ζώνη , zō̇nē , the true rendering of which is "girdle" (Revised Version, margin). The oriental "girdle," though sometimes of crude leather, or woven camel's hair (see Girdle ), was often of fine material and elegant workmanship, and was either made hollow so to carry money, or when of silk or cloth, worn in folds, when the money was carried in the folds.

(3) The small "merchant's bag" often knotted in a handkerchief for carrying the weights, such as is mentioned in  Deuteronomy 25:13 : "Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small," was another variety. This too was used as "purse," as in the case of the proposed common purse of the wicked mentioned in   Proverbs 1:14 : "We will all have one purse ," and sometimes carried in the girdle (compare  Isaiah 46:6 ).

(4) Then there was the "bag" צרור , cerōr , rendered "bundle" in  Genesis 42:35 ) which was the favorite receptacle for valuables, jewels , as well as money, used figuratively with fine effect in  1 Samuel 25:29 : "The soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life" - "life's jewel-case " (see  2 Kings 12:10 where the money of the temple was said to be put up "tied up" in bags ). This was a "bag" that could be tied with a string: "Behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack," and (compare   Proverbs 7:20 ) "He hath taken a bag of money with him" (compare   Haggai 1:6 : "earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes").

A seal was sometimes put on the knot, which occasions the figure of speech used in Job (  Job 14:16 ,  Job 14:17 ), "Dost thou not watch over my sin? My transgression is sealed up in a bag ," i.e. it is securely kept and reckoned against me (compare also  1 Samuel 9:7;  1 Samuel 21:5 where the Hebrew כּלי , kelı̄ , is rendered by "vessels" and stands for receptacles for carrying food, not necessarily bags).

(5) Another Hebrew word חרט , ḥārı̄ṭ  ; Arabic ḥariṭat , is used, on the one hand, for a "bag" large enough to hold a talent of silver (see  2 Kings 5:23 , "bound two talents of silver in two bags "), and on the other, for a dainty lady's satchel , such as is found in  Isaiah 3:22 (wrongly rendered "crisping pins" in the King James Version). This is the most adequate Hebrew word for a large bag.

(6) The "bag" which Judas carried (see  John 12:6 the King James Version, "He was a thief and had the bag "; compare  John 13:29 ) was in reality the small " box " (Revised Version, margin) originally used for holding the mouthpieces of wind instruments (Kennedy, in the 1-volume Hdb ). The Hebrew ארגּז , 'argāz , found only here) of  1 Samuel 6:8 , rendered "coffer" in English Versions of the Bible and translated γλοσσόκομον , glossókomon , by Josephus, appears to stand for a small "chest" used to hold the gold figures sent by the Philistines as a guilt offering. It is from a word that means "to wag," "to move to and fro"; compare the similar word in Arabic meaning a bag filled with stones hung at the side of the camel to "preserve" equilibrium (Gesenius). But the same word Josephus uses is found in modern Greek and means "purse" or "bag" (Hatch). Later to "carry the bag" came to mean to be treasurer.