Encyclopedia entry
Purse
Disambiguation
The source enumerates 2 distinct subjects under Purse. Jump to one below, or read in order.
Purse (1)
#Gr. balantion, a bag (Luke 10:4; 22:35, 36).
Purse (2)
#Gr. zone, properly a girdle (Matt. 10:9; Mark 6:8), a money-belt. As to our Lord’s sending forth his disciples without money in their purses, the remark has been made that in this “there was no departure from the simple manners of the country. At this day the farmer sets out on excursions quite as extensive without a para in his purse; and a modern Moslem prophet of Tarshisha thus sends forth his apostles over this identical region. No traveller in the East would hestitate to throw himself on the hospitality of any village.” Thomson’s Land and the Book. (See SCRIP.)
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
a bag for money. The Hebrews, when on a journey, were provided with a bag, in which they carried their money, (Genesis 42:35; Proverbs 1:14; 7:20; Isaiah 46:6) and, if they were merchants, also their weights. (25:13; Micah 6:11) This bag is described in the New Testament by the terms balantion (bag) (Luke 10:4; 12:33; 22:35,38) and glossokomon (originally the bag in which musicians carried the mouth-pieces of their Instruments). (John 12:6; 13:29) The girdle also served as a purse. (Matthew 10:9; Mark 6:8) Ladies wore ornamental purses. (Isaiah 3:24)
In the Bible
5
Verses where Purse is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- Luke 10:4
Carry no purse or bag or sandals. Do not greet anyone along the road.
- Luke 22:35
Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out without purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered.
- Luke 22:36
“Now, however,” He told them, “the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.
- Mark 6:8
He instructed them to take nothing but a staff for the journey—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—
- Proverbs 1:14
Throw in your lot with us; let us all share one purse”—
Scripture on Purse
10
See all 10 +−
Purse references
12
Voices on Purse
1
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.