Word Study for G1241 (διαζώννυμι)

diazṓnnymi /dee-az-own'-noo-mee/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom διά and ζώννυμι

Meaningto gird tightly

KJV usagegird.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of diazṓnnymi — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word diazṓnnymi, represented by G1241, means to gird tightly. It is derived from διά and ζώννυμι. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible, exclusively within the Gospel of John, where it describes an act of securing clothing in preparation for service or action.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G1241 is used in two key scenes. First, it describes Jesus's actions at the Last Supper. He girded G1241 himself with a towel after laying aside his garments, preparing to wash the disciples' feet John 13:4. The towel he was girded G1241 with was then used to wipe their feet, a profound act of humility John 13:5. Later, Simon Peter, upon hearing the resurrected Jesus was on the shore, girt G1241 his fisher's coat to himself because he was naked, and then cast himself into the sea John 21:7.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the act of girding:

G3012 léntion (a "linen" cloth, i.e. apron:--towel): This is the specific item Jesus took G2983 and used to gird himself, highlighting the servant's role he assumed John 13:4.
G1903 ependýtēs (a wrapper, i.e. outer garment:--fisher's coat): This is the garment Peter girded himself with, preparing to approach the Lord John 21:7.
G1131 gymnós (nude (absolute or relative, literal or figurative):--naked): This word describes Peter's state before he girded himself, providing the immediate reason for his action John 21:7.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1241 is centered on themes of servanthood and readiness.

Humility in Service: The most significant use of G1241 is in Jesus's self-abasement. By girding himself with a towel G3012, he physically assumed the posture of a servant to wash G3538 his disciples' feet, setting a powerful example John 13:4-5.
Preparation for Action: In both contexts, the act of girding precedes an important action. Jesus girds himself for an act of service, while Peter girds himself to eagerly approach his Lord.
Reverence and Respect: Peter's action to girt G1241 his fisher's coat G1903 upon learning it was the Lord shows a sense of reverence. He moves from being naked G1131 to being properly attired before meeting Jesus John 21:7.

Summary

In summary, G1241 is a specific action verb that, while rare, carries significant meaning in its contexts. It is not merely about tying a belt; it is about preparing for a task with purpose. Through its use in the Gospel of John, it powerfully illustrates the concepts of Christ's humble servanthood and a disciple's readiness to approach the Lord.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Middle Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Perfect Middle Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

3 verses, all in John — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.