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Bible Dictionaries
Wallet
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament
or WALLET (Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 translation of πήρα, Matthew 10:10 etc.; Authorized Version ‘scrip’).—This corresponds to the kĕlî hârô‘îm, or yalkût, of 1 Samuel 17:40 (see, however, H. P. Smith, Samuel, in loc.). It is a bag made of partially tanned kid-skin, bound by a strap round the waist, or slung from the shoulder. In it the shepherd carries his supply of provisions when going with the flock to distant pasture. The coarse loaves of the country, olives, and dried fruit form the staple diet, with an occasional lump of cheese. The wallet, however, serves the purpose of the boy’s pocket among ourselves, and often contains a curious assortment of articles. The Authorized Version ‘scrip’ appears in our literature with the same meaning. Milton (Comus, line 626) speaks of the shepherd s ‘leathern scrip’ in which are carried ‘simples of a thousand names’ (cf. Shakespeare, As You Like It, Act iii. sc. 2). Setting out on a journey, the Syrian peasant carries a wallet well furnished, which he opens for refreshment as he rests by the way, or in the shelter of the khân at nightfall. Christ’s Apostles were to go unencumbered on their special mission (Matthew 10:10, Mark 6:8, Luke 9:3; Luke 10:4), trusting to hospitality, and the providing care of their Master.* [Note: Edersheim compares certain Rabbinical ordinances which laid down that no man might go on the Temple Mount with his staff or with shoes, or with his scrip, or with money tied to him in his purse. Whatever he might wish to contribute must be carried in his hand, possibly to indicate that the money about him was exclusively for an immediate sacred purpose. He suggests that, for similar reasons, Jesus transferred these very ordinances to the disciples when engaged in the service of the real Temple, and says the direction of Matthew 10:9 f. will then mean: ‘Go out in the same spirit and manner as you would to the Temple services, and fear not,—“for the workman is worthy of his meat.” In other words: Let this new Temple service be your only thought, undertaking, and care’ (The Temple, etc. p. 42).] But, as an ordinary rule, provident forethought is to be commended (Luke 22:36).
W. Ewing.
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Wallet'. Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdn/w/wallet.html. 1906-1918.
