Bible Dictionary
ARMHOLE
An armhole is the armpit or a place beneath the arm. In Jeremiah it refers to the prophet’s armpits being protected during his rescue, while another passage may concern ornaments or amulets worn on the arms.
Definition
An armhole is the armpit or a place beneath the arm. The word may also refer to an unclear location near the elbow or hand joints and, in one passage, to an article worn on the arms or wrists.
Biblical Usage
In Jeremiah, the prophet’s armpits were protected with rags and old garments while he was drawn from the pit. In Ezekiel, the term concerns objects associated with false prophetesses and priestesses.
Historical Background
The objects mentioned in Ezekiel were probably amulets believed to possess magical virtues and worn on the arms or wrists, though the passage’s exact meaning is uncertain.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>arm'-hol: The Hebrew word 'atstsil, is used in Jer 38:12 in the sense of armpits. When the prophet was pulled up out of the pit by ropes, the armpits were protected with rags and old garments. The meaning in Eze 13:18 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "elbows," the Revised Version, margin "joints of the hands") is far from clear. The phrase is used, without doubt, of some ornament or article of dress worn by the false prophetesses and priestesses of Ashtaroth in order to allure the unwary and tempt the simple. The "pillows" were probably "amulets" supposed to have magical virtues, and worn on the arms or wrists.</p><p>W. W. Davies</p>