### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G2439 (himatízō) is derived from the noun G2440 (himátion), which refers to an "outer garment" or "cloak." Consequently, the core meaning of himatízō is "to clothe" or "to dress." It denotes the act of putting on clothes or the state of being clothed. Its semantic range is quite literal, focusing on the physical act of covering the body with garments. However, as seen in its biblical occurrences, the implications of being clothed can extend to signify a state of order, sanity, and restoration, often in contrast to nakedness, wildness, or degradation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb G2439 (himatízō) appears in the New Testament in three significant instances, two of which are parallel accounts:
* **[[Mark 5:15]] and [[Luke 8:35]]**: These parallel passages describe the aftermath of Jesus casting out a "Legion" of demons from the Gerasene demoniac. Prior to this encounter, the man was living among the tombs, naked, and uncontrollable. After his deliverance by Christ, the people found him "sitting, **clothed** and in his right mind." In this context, being "clothed" is a powerful visual sign of the profound transformation wrought by Jesus. It signifies a return to sanity, social order, and human dignity from a state of utter degradation and wildness. The act of clothing, therefore, moves beyond mere physical covering to symbolize a holistic restoration.
* **[[Acts 12:8]]**: Here, himatízō is used in a more straightforward, literal sense. As Peter is miraculously released from prison by an angel, the angel commands him, "Dress yourself and put on your sandals." Peter is instructed to perform the simple, practical act of getting dressed to facilitate his escape. This usage underscores the basic meaning of the verb as "to clothe oneself."
In both contexts, the word retains its fundamental meaning of being dressed. However, the narrative of the Gerasene demoniac imbues it with profound symbolic weight, illustrating the transformative power of Christ.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the noun from which G2439 is derived, G2440 (himátion), meaning "outer garment" or "cloak." Other Greek words related to clothing and dressing include:
* G1746 (endýō): A very common verb meaning "to put on," often used both literally and metaphorically (e.g., "put on Christ," "put on the new self"). While himatízō focuses specifically on being clothed, endýō can imply the active process of putting on any item.
* G2066 (esthēma) and G2067 (esthēs): General terms for "clothing" or "raiment."
* G4016 (peribállō): Meaning "to throw around" or "to clothe," often implying the act of wrapping oneself or others in garments.
Concepts closely associated with himatízō, especially in the context of the Gerasene demoniac, include:
* **Nakedness and Shame**: Often a state of vulnerability, exposure, and loss of dignity.
* **Restoration and Healing**: The act of being clothed signifies a return to wholeness.
* **Sanity and Order**: A contrast to madness and chaos.
* **Human Dignity**: The restoration of one's proper place in society and before God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of G2439 (himatízō) is most powerfully conveyed through the narrative of the Gerasene demoniac. The man's prior state of nakedness and wildness represented a profound spiritual and physical degradation, a loss of his humanity under the oppression of demonic forces. His being found "clothed and in his right mind" after his encounter with Jesus is a vivid testament to the comprehensive nature of Christ's redemptive work.
This transformation illustrates that Jesus's salvation is not merely spiritual but holistic, impacting the physical, mental, and social dimensions of a person's life. Being clothed symbolizes:
* **Divine Restoration**: God's power to bring order out of chaos, beauty from ashes, and sanity from madness.
* **Reclamation of Dignity**: Just as Adam and Eve's nakedness after the Fall signified shame and separation from God, being clothed by Christ signifies the restoration of dignity and a covering of sin and degradation.
* **New Identity**: The outward change of clothing reflects an inward, fundamental change of identity and status, from a outcast to one restored to community and relationship with God.
In [[Acts 12:8]], while less overtly theological, the command to "clothe yourself" highlights God's meticulous care for His servants, even in the practical details of their miraculous deliverance. It underscores that divine intervention often works through human cooperation with simple, obedient actions.
### Summary
The Greek verb G2439 (himatízō) fundamentally means "to clothe" or "to be clothed." While its usage in [[Acts 12:8]] is a straightforward command to dress, its appearances in [[Mark 5:15]] and [[Luke 8:35]] carry profound theological weight. In the miraculous healing of the Gerasene demoniac, the act of being found "clothed" serves as a powerful outward sign of an inward, holistic transformation wrought by Jesus Christ. It symbolizes the restoration of sanity, dignity, and social order from a state of utter degradation and demonic oppression, highlighting the comprehensive nature of Christ's redemptive power to bring wholeness to the human person.
TRV