rōp : Used in the Old Testament for חבל , ḥebhel , "that which binds" ( 2 Samuel 17:13 , etc.), and for עבת , ‛ăbhōth , "that which is woven" (Judges 15:13 , etc.). In neither word is any specified thickness or strength connoted, and ḥebhel is translated equally well by "line" (2 Samuel 8:2 , etc.) or "cord" (Joshua 2:15 , etc.), and ‛ăbhōth by "cord" (Psalm 118:27 , etc.), as best suits the context. Similarly in the New Testament the word σχοινίον , schoinı́on , literally, "made of rushes" can mean the rope by which a boat is fastened (Acts 27:32 ) or small cords suitable for a whip (John 2:15 ). The usual material for ropes was certainly flax (hemp), but the Egyptians, and so possibly the Hebrews, at times made ropes of leathern thongs. See CORD; LINE; SHIPS AND BOATS , III., 2.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
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