Shoe; Shoe-Latchet
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Shoe; Shoe-Latchet in the Bible?
The na'al was a simple leather sole tied to the foot with a serokh, while hupodema denoted a sandal or shoe covering the foot; the latchet referred to either a twisted strap (serokh) or a leather thong (himas).
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding these terms clarifies biblical references to social status, as footwear distinguished between the wealthy who wore enclosed shoes and the poor or mourners who went barefoot or wore simple sandals.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Shoe; Shoe-Latchet were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Shoe; Shoe-Latchet in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Shoe; Shoe-Latchet clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Shoe; Shoe-Latchet." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/shoe-shoelatchet/