Bible Dictionary
Bands
Bands may refer to cords, chains, bonds, staffs, or groups of people. Scripture uses the image for captivity, brotherhood, love, unity, and the companies of soldiers.
Definition
Bands may denote cords, bonds, chains, staffs, or other things that hold together, and may also mean companies or divisions of people. The term can therefore describe physical restraint, attachment, unity, or military groups.
Biblical Usage
Scripture speaks of bands of love, Christ’s bands, the bonds of captivity, brotherhood between Judah and Israel, and the unity of Christ’s body. It also uses bands for chains and for companies of soldiers, while a shepherd’s staff symbolized union.
Historical Background
The word represents several Hebrew and Greek terms with meanings ranging from rope and fetter to troop, company, camp, and cohort.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1) of love (Hos. 11:4); (2) of Christ (Ps. 2:3); (3) uniting together Christ’s body the church (Col. 2:19; 3:14; Eph. 4:3); (4) the emblem of the captivity of Israel (Ezek. 34:27; Isa. 28:22; 52:2); (5) of brotherhood (Ezek. 37:15-28); (6) no bands to the wicked in their death (Ps. 73:4; Job 21:7; Ps. 10:6). Also denotes chains (Luke 8:29); companies of soldiers (Acts 21:31); a shepherd’s staff, indicating the union between Judah and Israel (Zech. 11:7).