Lexical Summary perizónnumi: To gird, to gird about, to fasten garments with a belt Original Word: περιζώννυμι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance girdFrom peri and zonnumi; to gird all around, i.e. (middle voice or passive) to fasten on one's belt (literally or figuratively) -- gird (about, self). see GREEK peri see GREEK zonnumi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peri and zónnumi Definition to gird NASB Translation clothe (1), dressed in readiness (1), gird (1), girded (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4024: περιζωννύωπεριζωννύω, or περιζώννυμι: middle, 1 future περιζώσομαι; 1 aorist imperative περίζωσαι, participle περιζωσάμενος; perfect passive participle περιεζωσμένος; to gird around (περί, III. 1); to fasten garments with a girdle: τήν ὀσφύν, to fasten one's clothing about the loins with a girdle (Jeremiah 1:17), passive, Luke 12:35. Middle to gird oneself: absolutely, Luke 12:37; Luke 17:8; Acts 12:8 Rec.; τήν ὀσφύν ἐν ἀλήθεια, with truth as a girdle, figuratively equivalent to to equip oneself with knowledge of the truth, Ephesians 6:14; with an accusative of the thing with which one girds himself (often so in the Sept., as σάκκον, Jeremiah 4:8; Jeremiah 6:26; Lamentations 2:10; στολήν δόξης, Sir. 45:7; and in tropical expressions, δύναμιν, εὐφροσύνην, 1 Samuel 2:4; Psalm 17:33 Topical Lexicon Overview Perizōnnymi, translated in the Berean Standard Bible as “be dressed,” “gird,” or “wearing a sash,” conveys the deliberate act of fastening one’s garments for purposeful activity. It pictures preparedness, disciplined alertness, and, in several contexts, priestly or kingly dignity. Its six New Testament occurrences span Gospel instruction, apostolic exhortation, and apocalyptic vision, providing a unified witness to the call of God’s people to ready themselves for service, battle, and glory. Occurrences in Scripture • Luke 12:35 – the vigilant disciple Cultural and Old Testament Background In the ancient Mediterranean world a sash or belt gathered the flowing robe at the waist, freeing the legs for movement. Hebrews girded their loins before travel (Exodus 12:11) or battle (2 Samuel 20:8). Priests ministered with embroidered sashes (Exodus 28:4), and the High Priest’s waistband of fine linen and gold marked consecration. This physical action became a metaphor for moral and spiritual readiness: “Gird up the loins of your mind” (1 Peter 1:13). Watchfulness and Readiness (Luke 12:35–37) “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning.” Luke 12:35 Jesus roots discipleship in constant expectancy of His return. The present participle portrays a maintained state, not a momentary tightening of the belt. Remarkably, verse 37 reverses roles: when the Master finds such readiness, “He will gird Himself, have them recline at the table, and will come up and serve them.” Divine reward is depicted through the same verb that first described human duty, underscoring the grace that meets obedience. Servant Leadership and Humility (Luke 17:7–10) When the laboring servant returns from the field, the master says, “Prepare my supper, and gird yourself to serve me until I have eaten and drunk” (Luke 17:8). The verb frames humble, routine faithfulness. No applause is expected; “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty” (Luke 17:10). The passage challenges every notion of entitlement in ministry. Spiritual Warfare—The Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14) “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.” Truth does not merely decorate the believer; it secures every other piece of armor. As a Roman soldier’s leather belt bound his tunic and provided points of attachment for sword and breastplate, so doctrinal and moral truth stabilizes the Christian life and gives leverage for offensive and defensive combat against “the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Christ’s Priestly Majesty (Revelation 1:13) John sees “One like a son of man…with a golden sash around His chest.” The chest placement, higher than a common waist-belt, evokes priestly garments (Exodus 28:4). The risen Christ is portrayed as High Priest and reigning King, girded not for hurried labor but for dignified intercession and sovereign oversight of His churches. Agents of Judgment (Revelation 15:6) “The seven angels…were dressed in clean, bright linen and wore golden sashes around their chests.” As with Christ, the chest-high sash denotes priestly authority, yet here it is joined to judgment. Purity, glory, and duty converge as heaven’s sanctuary commissions these angels to pour out the final bowls of wrath. Theological Themes 1. Preparedness—constant readiness for the Lord’s appearing. Practical Ministry Application • Cultivate truth: let Scripture bind every thought and action. Summary Perizōnnymi gathers the fabric of life—duties, struggles, hopes—into ordered readiness for God’s purposes. Whether tightening a servant’s belt, strapping on a soldier’s cuirass, or adorning a priestly robe, the verb calls believers to live braced for action, secured by truth, and clothed with the honor of serving the One who first girded Himself to wash our feet and will gird Himself again to welcome us at His table. Forms and Transliterations περιεζώσαντο περιέζωσάς περιεζώσατο περιεζωσμεναι περιεζωσμέναι περιεζωσμένη περιεζωσμένην περιεζωσμενοι περιεζωσμένοι περιεζωσμενον περιεζωσμένον περιεζωσμένος περιζώννυται περιζωννύων περίζωσαι περιζωσαμενοι περιζωσάμενοι περιζωσαμενος περιζωσάμενος περιζώσασθε περιζώσατε περιζωσεται περιζώσεται περιζώση περιζώσονται περίθεμα periezosmenai periezosménai periezōsmenai periezōsménai periezosmenoi periezosménoi periezōsmenoi periezōsménoi periezosmenon periezosménon periezōsmenon periezōsménon perizosamenoi perizosámenoi perizōsamenoi perizōsámenoi perizosamenos perizosámenos perizōsamenos perizōsámenos perizosetai perizōsetai perizṓsetaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 12:35 V-RPM/P-NFPGRK: αἱ ὀσφύες περιεζωσμέναι καὶ οἱ NAS: Be dressed in readiness, and [keep] your lamps KJV: be girded about, and INT: waist girded about and the Luke 12:37 V-FIM-3S Luke 17:8 V-APM-NMS Ephesians 6:14 V-APM-NMP Revelation 1:13 V-RPM/P-AMS Revelation 15:6 V-RPM/P-NMP Strong's Greek 4024 |
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