עֶכֶס
𐤏𐤊𐤎
ʻekeç
H5914 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A decorative band or ring worn around the ankle, primarily as a personal ornament. The term emphasizes an ornamental purpose rather than a punitive one. In biblical usage, עֶכֶס specifically refers to an anklet or ankle ornament, often made of metal, which could produce sound when the wearer walked, enhancing the adornment's visual and auditory effect. It does not commonly refer to 'fetter' in the punitive or restraining sense, though the connection is in the encircling or binding form.
Semantic Range
anklet, ankle ornament, decorative ankle band
Root / Etymology
From the root עָכַס (ʿāḵas), meaning 'to wind, twist, or wrap.' The noun עֶכֶס derives from this root and denotes an object that encircles or wraps around the ankle.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested only in the plural (עֲכָסִים) in Isaiah 3:20, the term refers to anklets or ankle ornaments worn by Israelite women of Jerusalem during the monarchic period, particularly those associated with wealth and social status. The context in Isaiah concerns a prophetic critique of luxury and adornment among the upper classes. Early rabbinic and medieval lexicographers consistently interpret עֶכֶס as 'anklet' or 'ankle ornament.' Some later English translations, influenced by the Strong's gloss, employ 'fetter,' but this is not the primary lexical sense in biblical Hebrew. The ornamental purpose is primary in contrast to מָסְרָה (mas'rah, 'fetter' in the punitive sense). Similar anklets were common in other ancient Near Eastern cultures as markers of femininity, status, or marital status. The connotation of 'tinkling' derives from extra-biblical descriptions or assumed function, not direct biblical context. The term never refers to stocks or instruments of punishment in the Hebrew Bible.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָכַס; a fetter; hence, an anklet; stocks, tinkling ornament.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עכס (ʿ-k-s) — to wind, twist, wrap
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5914-01 |
הָ/עֲכָסִ֛ים | haakhasim | HTd/Ncmpa |
of the anklets | the ankle-bands | 1 |
H5914-02 |
וּ֝/כְ/עֶ֗כֶס | ukheekhes | HC/R/Ncmsa |
and like a stag | and like an ankle-band | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5914-01 |
Isaiah 3:18 | הָ/עֲכָסִ֛ים | haakhasim | HTd/Ncmpa |
of the anklets | the ankle-bands |
H5914-02 |
Proverbs 7:22 | וּ֝/כְ/עֶ֗כֶס | ukheekhes | HC/R/Ncmsa |
and like a stag | and like an ankle-band |