Brief Overview of ἱματισμός (Strong’s G2441: himatismós)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words in biblical studies offers valuable insights into the culture, context, and deeper meanings found in the New Testament. The Greek word ἱματισμός (himatismós) is significant as it refers to the concept of “clothing” or “attire,” frequently used in biblical texts to convey both literal and metaphorical meanings. This word appears in discussions about garments in the New Testament, often reflecting societal norms, symbolism, and attitudes toward clothing in ancient Greek and Jewish cultures.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: ἱματισμός, transliterated as himatismós [hee-mah-tee-SMOS].
• Etymology: Derived from the root word ἱμάτιον (himátion), meaning “a garment” or “cloak.”
• Part of Speech: Noun (masculine).
• Grammatical Details: It is a second declension masculine noun.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• Clothing or apparel in general.
• Refers to the act of being clothed or attire that one is wearing.
• Can also denote fine or splendid clothing, depending on the context.

Similar Words: ἱμάτιον (himátion) [hee-MAH-tee-on], which is closely related and refers to an individual outer garment or cloak. While ἱματισμός emphasizes the concept of clothing as a whole or being dressed, ἱμάτιον is more specific to a particular item of clothing, like a cloak or robe.

Further Insights: ἱματισμός is a second declension masculine noun. Below is the declension table for ἱματισμός:

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Lexicon Insights

BDAG: Defines ἱματισμός as “clothing” or “apparel.” BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts where it refers to the act of being clothed or the clothing worn by individuals, often highlighting the quality or type of attire.

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Thayers: Describes ἱματισμός as “apparel, clothing, or raiment,” emphasizing its use in biblical passages where it signifies the garments worn by people. Thayers points out that the term sometimes carries connotations of splendid or fine clothing.

Vines: Discusses ἱματισμός as “apparel,” noting that it appears in New Testament contexts where clothing is significant either symbolically or literally, such as in descriptions of dress codes or appearances of individuals.

LSJ: The Liddell, Scott, Jones Lexicon notes ἱματισμός as “clothing” and includes its use in classical Greek literature to denote attire, especially in scenes describing social or ceremonial attire.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Lists ἱματισμός (G2441) as “clothing,” noting its derivation from ἱμάτιον and its relevance in scripture references that discuss the state of being clothed or the type of clothing people wear.

Related Scripture References

• Luke 12:23: “For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing [ἱματισμός].”
• 1 Timothy 2:9: “Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel [ἱματισμῷ], with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire.”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἱματισμός (G2441)

The Greek word ἱματισμός (himatismós) is a noun that denotes clothing or apparel, often used to describe attire in a general sense. It appears in the New Testament, where it sometimes conveys symbolic meanings, such as modesty, respectability, or status. Understanding ἱματισμός provides readers with deeper insight into the cultural norms and values regarding clothing in ancient Greek and Jewish societies. The term is also found in classical Greek literature and the Septuagint, highlighting its broad historical relevance and varied use.

Did You Know?

• The term ἱματισμός not only refers to clothing but also to the state of being dressed, reflecting how clothing was perceived as a marker of identity and status in ancient societies.
• In biblical contexts, the word ἱματισμός can signify both plain and luxurious clothing, often dependent on the surrounding text.
• The concept of ἱματισμός was significant in ancient Jewish and Greek cultures, where clothing played a role in religious and social practices, such as sacrifices, celebrations, and mourning.

Understanding ἱματισμός provides a window into the ancient world’s view on clothing and its symbolism, enriching biblical and classical studies.