UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: strap, thong

Semantic entry: 6.20

Semantic domains: Artifacts

Subdomains: Instruments Used in Binding and Fastening

Definition: leather strap or thong (used in binding sandals or shoes and as thongs in a whip)

Notes: In a number of languages ἱμάς[a] may be translated as ‘leather string’ or ‘strip of leather.’ In RV JHN 1:27 · LV JHN 1:27 · Read together JHN 1:27 the term may be absorbed within the total expression, for example, worthy to untie his sandals (implying the untying of the straps with which the sandals were bound).|In RV ACT 22:25 · LV ACT 22:25 · Read together ACT 22:25 the clause ὡς δὲ προέτειναν αὐτὸν τοῖς ἱμᾶσιν may be interpreted as ‘they tied him up with thongs’ or as ‘they tied him up for whipping,’ in which case ἱμᾶσιν would refer to an event, not to an object (see 19.9: ἱμάς / 19.9: μαστιγόω / 19.9: μαστίζω / 19.9: μάστιξ / 19.9: φραγελλόω).

Further resources: realia:6.13.1

Sense 2: whipping, flogging

Semantic entry: 19.9

Semantic domains: Physical Impact

Subdomains: Hit, Strike

Definition: act of beating severely with a whip

Notes: It is also possible to interpret ἱμάς in RV ACT 22:25 · LV ACT 22:25 · Read together ACT 22:25 as the thongs with which Paul was tied up (see 6.20: ἱμάς).