from (to clothe); dress:--apparel, clothing, raiment, robe.
Transliteration:esthḗs
Pronunciation:es-thace'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
* **Lemma:** ἐσθής (esthḗs)
* **Root:** The word ἐσθής is derived from the verb ἔννυμι (ennymi), which means "to clothe" or "to put on."
* **Core Meaning:** The primary and most direct meaning of ἐσθής is "clothing," "garment," "dress," or "apparel." It refers to any article or collection of articles worn on the body.
* **Semantic Range:**
* **General Clothing:** This is the most common usage, encompassing everyday attire or any piece of clothing (e.g., [[Matthew 6:25]]).
* **Specific Garments:** It can denote a particular type of clothing, such as a "robe" or "raiment," often implying something distinctive, formal, or indicative of status (e.g., the "best robe" in [[Luke 15:22]]).
* **Figurative/Symbolic Potential:** While ἐσθής itself usually retains a literal sense of physical clothing, the *concept* of clothing in the biblical narrative often carries profound symbolic weight, representing identity, status, righteousness, or spiritual condition.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἐσθής appears numerous times in the New Testament, illustrating its diverse applications and contextual nuances.
* **Material Provision and Trust:** In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses ἐσθής to teach about God's provision and the futility of anxiety. He asks, "Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing [ἐσθής]?" ([[Matthew 6:25]]; cf. [[Luke 12:23]]). He further questions, "And why are you anxious about clothing [ἐσθής]?" ([[Matthew 6:28]]), drawing a parallel with the lilies of the field, which God clothes. These passages underscore a call to trust in divine care over worldly worries.
* **Apostolic Simplicity:** Jesus instructs His disciples not to take extra "clothing" [ἐσθής] for their missionary journeys ([[Matthew 10:10]]; [[Mark 6:9]]), emphasizing dependence on God and the hospitality of others, rather than material preparedness.
* **Symbol of Status and Wealth:** The rich man in the parable of Lazarus is described as being "clothed in purple and fine linen" (ἐσθής) ([[Luke 16:19]]), vividly portraying his earthly wealth and high social standing. Conversely, the "best robe" (ἐσθής) given to the prodigal son upon his return signifies full restoration, honor, and renewed familial status ([[Luke 15:22]]).
* **Divine Presence and Glory:** At the tomb, the women encounter "two men in dazzling clothing [ἐσθής]" ([[Luke 24:4]]), indicating their angelic nature or divine messenger status. Similarly, after Jesus' ascension, "two men stood by them in white clothing [ἐσθής]" ([[Acts 1:10]]). Most strikingly, during the Transfiguration, Jesus' "garments" [ἐσθής] become "dazzling, intensely white" ([[Mark 9:3]]; [[Luke 9:29]]), revealing His inherent divine glory.
* **Modesty and Adornment:** Paul instructs women to adorn themselves with "respectable apparel [ἐσθής], with modesty and self-control" ([[1 Timothy 2:9]]), emphasizing an inner disposition of godliness over outward extravagance.
* **Prophetic Fulfillment:** The soldiers casting lots for Jesus' "garments" [ἐσθής] at the crucifixion ([[John 19:24]]) directly fulfills the prophecy in [[Psalm 22:18]], highlighting God's sovereign hand in the details of Christ's suffering.
* **Eschatological Righteousness:** In the book of Revelation, "white robes" (ἐσθής) are repeatedly mentioned as worn by the saints ([[Revelation 6:11]]; [[Revelation 7:9]], [[Revelation 7:13]], [[Revelation 7:14]]). These garments symbolize purity, righteousness, and victory, having been "washed...in the blood of the Lamb" ([[Revelation 7:14]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of clothing in the Bible is often expressed through various terms, each with nuanced meanings, and is deeply connected to broader theological themes.
* **Synonyms and Related Nouns:**
* `{{G1742}}` ἔνδυμα (endyma): "Garment," "clothing." Very close in meaning to ἐσθής and often used interchangeably.
* `{{G2440}}` ἱμάτιον (himátion): "Outer garment," "cloak." Refers to a specific type of clothing, often a more substantial outer layer.
* `{{G5509}}` χιτών (chitōn): "Tunic," "inner garment." Refers to a basic undergarment worn close to the body.
* `{{G4749}}` στολή (stolē): "Robe," "long garment." Often denotes a formal, ceremonial, or official robe, similar to some uses of ἐσθής (e.g., the prodigal son's robe).
* **Related Verbs:**
* `{{G1746}}` ἐνδύω (endyō): "To put on," "to clothe," "to be clothed with." This verb is directly related to ἐσθής, as clothing is something that is put on or worn. It can also be used figuratively (e.g., "clothed with Christ").
* `{{G4016}}` περιβάλλω (periballō): "To throw around," "to clothe," "to array."
* **Theological Concepts:**
* **Righteousness:** The Old Testament often speaks of being "clothed with righteousness" ([[Isaiah 61:10]], [[Job 29:14]]), a concept that finds its fulfillment in Christ's imputed righteousness in the New Testament ([[Revelation 19:8]]).
* **Identity and Status:** Clothing frequently serves as a visual marker of one's identity, social standing, or spiritual condition (e.g., the "wedding garment" in [[Matthew 22:11-12]]).
* **Spiritual Adornment:** Beyond physical garments, the New Testament exhorts believers to "clothe" themselves with spiritual virtues like compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience ([[Colossians 3:12]]) and, above all, love ([[Colossians 3:14]]).
* **Vulnerability and Shame:** The nakedness of humanity after the Fall ([[Genesis 3:7]]) and God's provision of "garments of skin" ([[Genesis 3:21]]) highlight human vulnerability, shame, and divine grace.
### Theological Significance
The seemingly simple word ἐσθής, referring to clothing, carries layers of profound theological meaning within the New Testament.
* **Divine Providence and Trust:** The frequent mention of ἐσθής in the context of daily needs, particularly in Jesus' teaching, underscores God's meticulous care for His creation. By encouraging believers not to worry about what they will wear, Jesus calls for a radical trust in God's abundant provision, thereby freeing them from anxiety and redirecting their focus towards the kingdom of God ([[Matthew 6:25-33]]). This highlights a theology of divine sufficiency.
* **Symbol of Spiritual Status and Identity:** Perhaps the most significant theological use of ἐσθής is its symbolic representation of spiritual state. The "dazzling clothing" of angels or the transfigured Christ signifies their divine glory and heavenly nature. Most powerfully, the "white robes" of the saints in Revelation are not merely garments but emblems of their purity, righteousness, and victory, purchased through the atoning blood of the Lamb ([[Revelation 7:14]]). These robes represent the imputed righteousness of Christ and the sanctified state of believers, signifying their acceptance into God's presence and their participation in His triumph.
* **Restoration and Honor:** The "best robe" given to the prodigal son ([[Luke 15:22]]) serves as a powerful metaphor for God's gracious and complete restoration of the repentant sinner. It signifies not just forgiveness, but a full reinstatement to sonship and honor, overcoming the shame and degradation of sin.
* **Humility and Modesty:** The instruction regarding "respectable apparel" ([[1 Timothy 2:9]]) reveals that even outward appearance is not indifferent to God. It calls for modesty and self-control, reflecting an inner disposition of humility and godliness, contrasting with worldly ostentation or pride. This underscores that Christian conduct, even in seemingly minor details, should reflect spiritual values.
* **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** The mundane act of soldiers casting lots for Jesus' clothing at the cross ([[John 19:24]]) gains immense theological weight as a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy ([[Psalm 22:18]]). This demonstrates God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, affirming Christ's identity as the promised Messiah and the divine orchestration of redemption.
### Summary
The Greek word ἐσθής (esthḗs) refers to "clothing" or "garment." While literally denoting an article of apparel, its occurrences in the New Testament are imbued with profound theological significance. It serves to illustrate God's faithful provision, calling believers to trust Him rather than succumb to anxiety over material needs. More significantly, ἐσθής frequently functions as a potent symbol of spiritual status, identity, and condition. From the "best robe" symbolizing the restoration of the prodigal son to the "dazzling clothing" of divine beings and, most profoundly, the "white robes" of the redeemed in Revelation, ἐσθής conveys purity, righteousness, and victory achieved through Christ. It also appears in contexts emphasizing modesty and the precise fulfillment of prophecy, underscoring that even the seemingly ordinary aspects of human life, like clothing, are interwoven into the grand narrative of God's redemptive plan and revelation. Thus, ἐσθής points beyond the physical to deeper spiritual truths concerning divine care, human identity in Christ, and eschatological hope.
TRV