Lexical Summary zónnumi: To gird, to fasten with a belt, to prepare Original Word: ζώννυμι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gird. From zone; to bind about (especially with a belt) -- gird. see GREEK zone HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2224 zṓnnymi (zōnnýō) – to gird, i.e. "to pull the belt" to remove slack so a person could move quickly. See 2223 (zōne). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. verb Definition to gird NASB Translation gird (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2224: ζώννυμιζώννυμι and ζωννύω: imperfect 2 person singular ἐζωνυες; fut, ζώσω; 1 aorist middle imperative ζῶσαι; to gird: τινα, John 21:18; Middle to gird oneself: Acts 12:8 L T Tr WH. (Exodus 29:9; Homer, et al.) (Compare: ἀναζώννυμι, διαζώννυμι, περιζώννυμι, ὑποζώννυμι.) Topical Lexicon Conceptual Overview Strong’s Greek 2224 portrays the simple yet vivid action of fastening a belt or sash. More than a sartorial detail, the act of girding communicates readiness, duty, and controlled strength—motifs woven through Scripture from patriarchal times to the apostolic era. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. John 21:18 (first occurrence) records Jesus’ words to Peter, recalling his youthful freedom: “you used to dress yourself and walk where you wanted.” Though the verb appears only in these three places, each scene spotlights decisive moments in Peter’s life—his past zeal, his appointed future, and a miraculous present. Old Testament and Intertestamental Background Girding the loins first surfaces in Exodus 12:11, where Israel must eat the Passover “with your cloak tucked into your belt.” The expression becomes shorthand for alertness and speed (1 Kings 18:46), mourning (Jeremiah 4:8), or resolute battle stance (Isaiah 11:5). By New Testament times, rabbis used the phrase “gird up the loins” to describe mental preparedness for study and obedience. Symbolism of Readiness and Service Girding tightens loose garments, freeing the legs for movement. This practical image matures into a metaphor for spiritual attitude: • Readiness for service—Luke 12:35 urges, “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning.” Although these passages use cognate verbs, they expand the same core picture introduced by Strong’s 2224. Historical and Cultural Setting First-century Jews and Romans typically wore a long tunic. When action was demanded—work in a field, running, or combat—they cinched the tunic with a belt. For soldiers, the belt also held weapons; for travelers, a purse. Thus, to gird was the final act before decisive movement. Christological and Apostolic Applications In John 21, Jesus employs the language of girding to contrast Peter’s self-directed past with his Spirit-directed future. Youthful self-girding symbolizes autonomy; forthcoming involuntary girding anticipates submission unto death. Acts 12:8 then presents a momentary reversal: divine intervention restores Peter’s belt and liberty, foreshadowing the ultimate freedom of resurrection even as martyrdom looms. Pastoral and Ministry Reflections • Leadership: Seasoned servants must yield control of their own “belt” to Christ’s purposes, embracing paths they may not have chosen. Practical Considerations for Contemporary Discipleship 1. Cultivate spiritual alertness—regular prayer, Scripture intake, and ethical diligence are today’s acts of girding. In all, Strong’s 2224 offers more than a linguistic footnote; it supplies a living parable of the believer’s movement from autonomy to surrendered readiness under the sovereign hand of God. Forms and Transliterations εζωννυες εζώννυες ἐζώννυες έζωσά εζώσατο έζωσεν εζωσμένος εζωσμένους Ζωσαι ζώσαι Ζῶσαι ζώσασθε ζωσει ζώσει ζώσεις ζώσεται ζώση ezonnues ezōnnues ezonnyes ezōnnyes ezṓnnyes Zosai Zôsai Zōsai Zō̂sai zosei zōsei zṓseiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 21:18 V-IIA-2SGRK: ἦς νεώτερος ἐζώννυες σεαυτὸν καὶ NAS: you were younger, you used to gird yourself KJV: young, thou girdedst thyself, INT: you were younger you girded yourself and John 21:18 V-FIA-3S Acts 12:8 V-AMM-2S Strong's Greek 2224 |
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