### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb περιζώννυμι (perizṓnnymi, `{{G4024}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition περί (peri, `{{G4012}}`), meaning "around" or "about," and the verb ζώννυμι (zōnnymi, `{{G2223}}`), meaning "to gird" or "to equip." The base definition, "to gird all around," effectively captures the literal sense of fastening a belt or sash around one's waist. This action was primarily for practical purposes in ancient times: to gather up long garments, allowing for freedom of movement, readiness for work, travel, or combat.
Semantically, therefore, περιζώννυμι extends beyond the mere physical act. Its use, particularly in the middle voice, implies an action performed by oneself or for one's own benefit. This imbues the word with a rich figurative meaning:
1. **Readiness and Preparation:** The act of girding up signifies an immediate state of preparedness for activity, whether physical labor, a journey, or an anticipated event.
2. **Strength and Fortification:** A girded waist provides support and stability, metaphorically representing inner strength, resolve, or being properly equipped.
3. **Service and Humility:** In some contexts, it denotes a posture of humble service, as one might gird oneself to serve others.
4. **Authority and Dignity:** Conversely, the type of sash or belt could also signify status, authority, or priestly dignity, as seen in ceremonial contexts.
The "peri" prefix emphasizes the thoroughness or completeness of this girding, suggesting a full and proper preparation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word περιζώννυμι (perizṓnnymi, `{{G4024}}`) appears a limited number of times in the New Testament, but each instance carries significant weight:
* **[[Luke 12:35]]**: "Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning." Here, Jesus exhorts His disciples to be in a state of readiness, like servants awaiting their master's return. The "girded loins" directly evokes the Old Testament idiom of preparing for action, signifying vigilance and preparedness for the Lord's coming. It contrasts with a state of idleness or slumber.
* **[[Luke 12:37]]**: "Truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them." This is a remarkable and counter-cultural image. The master, upon his return, *girds himself* to serve his faithful servants. This usage powerfully illustrates the humility and self-sacrificial service inherent in the character of Christ, foreshadowing His ultimate act of service. It redefines the traditional roles of master and servant, emphasizing the divine reversal of expectations.
* **[[Ephesians 6:14]]**: "Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth..." As part of the spiritual armor of God, "truth" is depicted as the belt that holds everything together. Just as a physical belt provides stability and allows for freedom of movement, so spiritual truth is foundational for the believer's stand against spiritual forces. It is the essential element that secures and supports all other aspects of the armor, preventing spiritual disarray and enabling effective spiritual warfare.
* **[[Revelation 1:13]]**: "...and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash girded around his chest." This is a vision of the glorified Christ. The "golden sash girded around his chest" (not waist) signifies divine authority, priestly dignity, and perhaps readiness for judgment. This imagery resonates with Old Testament descriptions of high priests and divine beings (e.g., Daniel 10:5).
* **[[Revelation 15:6]]**: "...and from the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes girded around their chests." Similar to the vision of Christ, the angels are depicted with golden sashes, indicating their sacred mission, divine authority, and readiness to execute God's judgments. The "pure, bright linen" further emphasizes their holiness and purity in fulfilling God's will.
Across these contexts, περιζώννυμι consistently points to a state of active, intentional readiness, whether for humble service, spiritual battle, or the execution of divine authority.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of περιζώννυμι (perizṓnnymi, `{{G4024}}`) is enriched by examining its linguistic relatives and conceptual parallels:
* **ζώννυμι (zōnnymi, `{{G2223}}`):** The simpler verb "to gird." While ζώννυμι conveys the basic act of girding, the added prefix περί in περιζώννυμι emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the girding – all around, fully prepared. This implies a more complete or intentional act of preparation.
* **ζώνη (zōnē, `{{G2223}}`):** The noun for "belt" or "girdle." This is the physical object that is fastened, and its presence is implied by the verb. The significance of the belt in ancient cultures (for carrying items, signifying status, or enabling movement) informs the metaphorical uses of the verb.
* **Old Testament Parallels:** The concept of "girding up one's loins" is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, often using the Hebrew phrase חָגַר מָתְנַיִם (chagar mothnayim, e.g., `{{H2296}}` `{{H4975}}`). Examples include:
* **Exodus 12:11**: Instructions for the Passover meal, where participants were to eat with "loins girded," ready for immediate departure.
* **1 Kings 18:46**: Elijah "girded up his loins" to run ahead of Ahab's chariot, signifying supernatural strength and speed.
* **Jeremiah 1:17**: God commands Jeremiah to "gird up your loins" for prophetic ministry, implying courage and readiness for difficult tasks.
* **Job 38:3; 40:7**: God challenges Job to "gird up your loins like a man," calling him to prepare for a divine encounter and intellectual wrestling.
These Old Testament usages provide the rich cultural and theological backdrop for the New Testament's employment of περιζώννυμι, linking it to themes of divine command, readiness for action, and spiritual fortitude.
Concepts related to περιζώννυμι include:
* **Vigilance and Watchfulness:** Particularly in eschatological contexts.
* **Active Discipleship:** Not passive waiting, but engaged readiness for service and mission.
* **Spiritual Fortification:** The idea of being equipped and secured against spiritual attack.
* **Humility and Service:** The posture of one prepared to serve others, even in unexpected ways.
* **Authority and Dignity:** The symbolic use of the sash to denote divine or priestly status.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of περιζώννυμι (perizṓnnymi, `{{G4024}}`) is multifaceted, touching upon eschatology, discipleship, spiritual warfare, and Christology.
1. **Eschatological Readiness and Vigilance:** The command in [[Luke 12:35]] to have "loins girded" is a powerful call to constant spiritual readiness for the Lord's return. It underscores the New Testament emphasis on vigilance (γρηγορέω, grēgoreō, `{{G1129}}`) and watchfulness, urging believers to live in a state of active expectation, prepared to meet their Master at any moment. This readiness is not passive but involves diligent stewardship and faithful service.
2. **The Humility of Christ and the Nature of Service:** The profound image in [[Luke 12:37]] of the Master girding Himself to serve His servants is a radical theological statement. It reveals the servant-hearted nature of God, epitomized in Christ's incarnation and ministry. This act of "girding" by the Master reverses societal expectations and sets the paradigm for Christian service: true greatness is found in humble, self-sacrificial service, echoing Christ's own example of washing the disciples' feet (John 13).
3. **Truth as the Foundation of Spiritual Warfare:** In [[Ephesians 6:14]], the "belt of truth" is presented as the foundational piece of the spiritual armor. Theologically, this highlights the absolute necessity of divine truth (God's revealed Word, the Gospel, and Christ Himself as "the truth") for spiritual stability and effectiveness. Without truth firmly girding the believer, all other spiritual defenses are vulnerable. It implies intellectual honesty, integrity, and adherence to biblical doctrine as essential for navigating spiritual conflict.
4. **Divine Authority, Priesthood, and Judgment:** The depiction of the glorified Christ in [[Revelation 1:13]] and the angels in [[Revelation 15:6]] with "golden sashes girded around their chests" carries deep theological weight. The golden sash, particularly across the chest, is reminiscent of high priestly garments (e.g., Exodus 28:8) and figures of divine authority in prophetic visions (e.g., Daniel 10:5). This imagery signifies Christ's supreme priestly and kingly authority, His readiness to judge, and His active oversight of the churches. For the angels, it denotes their holy commission and readiness to execute God's righteous judgments.
In summary, περιζώννυμι underscores the active, intentional, and comprehensive nature of spiritual preparedness, whether for faithful service, effective spiritual warfare, or the manifestation of divine authority and judgment. It calls believers to a posture of readiness that reflects the character and purposes of God.
### Summary
The Greek verb περιζώννυμι (perizṓnnymi, `{{G4024}}`), meaning "to gird all around" or "to fasten a belt," carries profound theological implications beyond its literal sense. Derived from περί (peri, "around") and ζώννυμι (zōnnymi, "to gird"), it signifies a state of comprehensive readiness and active preparation.
In the New Testament, περιζώννυμι illuminates several key theological themes:
1. **Eschatological Vigilance:** As seen in [[Luke 12:35]], it urges believers to maintain a constant state of readiness and watchfulness for the Lord's return, living actively in expectation rather than idleness.
2. **Humble Service:** The striking image in [[Luke 12:37]] of the Master girding Himself to serve His faithful servants powerfully illustrates the self-sacrificial and humble nature of divine love and sets the paradigm for Christian discipleship.
3. **Spiritual Foundation of Truth:** In [[Ephesians 6:14]], "truth" is depicted as the essential belt that girds the believer's loins, providing stability and integrity for spiritual warfare. This highlights the foundational role of divine truth in the Christian life.
4. **Divine Authority and Priestly Dignity:** The golden sashes girded around the chests of the glorified Christ in [[Revelation 1:13]] and the angels in [[Revelation 15:6]] symbolize supreme authority, priestly office, and readiness for divine judgment.
Thus, περιζώννυμι moves from a practical physical action to a rich metaphor for spiritual preparedness, active engagement, and the embodiment of divine character and purpose. It calls the believer to an active, prepared, and Christ-like life of service and truth.
TRV