Understanding ἀμφιέννυμι (amphiénnumi) Strong’s G294: The Divine Care that Clothes Creation with Majesty

Pronunciation Guide: am-fee-EN-noo-mee

Basic Definition

Strong’s G294: ἀμφιέννυμι (amphiénnumi) describes the act of clothing, dressing, or arraying someone or something completely. This compound verb emphasizes the thorough and complete nature of the clothing action, literally meaning “to put around” or “to envelope.” In biblical usage, it often carries the profound imagery of God’s sovereign care in clothing both nature and His people.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀμφί (around) + ἕννυμι (to clothe)
• Primary usage in narrative and teaching passages
• Demonstrates God’s providence in both physical and spiritual contexts
• Found in both active and passive voices
• Classical Greek origin with continued usage in Koine

ἀμφιέννυμι Morphology:

• ἀμφιέννυμι (present active indicative) – I clothe/dress
• ἠμφίεσμαι (perfect passive indicative) – I have been clothed
• ἀμφιέσει (future active indicative) – he/she/it will clothe
• ἠμφιεσμένον (perfect passive participle) – having been clothed

Origin & History

The word ἀμφιέννυμι has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it was commonly used to describe the act of dressing or clothing someone completely. In works like Homer’s Odyssey, it appears in descriptions of characters being clothed in fine garments, often carrying connotations of honor and status.

In the Septuagint, ἀμφιέννυμι appears in several significant passages, particularly in contexts where God provides clothing or covering. For example, it’s used in the Greek translation of Job 29:14 to describe being clothed in righteousness and justice.

The early church fathers, including John Chrysostom in his homilies on Matthew, used this word to emphasize God’s providential care, drawing parallels between His clothing of nature and His care for believers.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To clothe completely or thoroughly
• To envelop or wrap around
• To array or adorn with clothing
• To provide covering or protection through clothing

ἀμφιέννυμι Translation Options:

• “To clothe completely” – emphasizing the thoroughness of the action
• “To array” – highlighting the aesthetic and purposeful nature of the clothing
• “To dress” – for general contexts of providing clothing
• “To enrobe” – when emphasizing dignity or ceremony in the clothing action

Biblical Usage

ἀμφιέννυμι appears most prominently in the Gospels, particularly in Jesus’ teaching about God’s provision and care. Its first appearance in Matthew 6:30 sets the tone for its theological significance, where Jesus uses the clothing of grass as an illustration of God’s care for His people.

The word carries particular weight in the context of divine provision and care, emphasizing not just the act of clothing but the complete and thorough nature of God’s provision. This usage pattern reinforces the biblical theme of God’s sovereign care over all creation.

Key verses include:

• “But if God so clothes [ἀμφιέννυσιν] the grass of the field…” Matthew 6:30
• “Consider the lilies… even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed [περιεβάλετο] like one of these.” Luke 12:27

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near Eastern world, clothing held significant cultural and social meaning beyond mere practical necessity. The quality and nature of one’s clothing indicated social status, role, and identity. When Jesus used ἀμφιέννυμι in His teaching about God’s care for creation, He was drawing on this cultural understanding to make a profound point about divine provision.

The imagery would have been particularly powerful for His Jewish audience, who would have recalled the stories of God clothing Adam and Eve after the fall and providing garments for the priests in the tabernacle. This connection between divine clothing and care was deeply embedded in Jewish theological understanding.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀμφιέννυμι in the New Testament reveals profound theological truths about God’s character and His relationship with creation. When Jesus uses this word to describe how God clothes the grass of the field, He’s not merely speaking about physical covering but revealing the intimate nature of God’s care for His creation.

This word choice emphasizes that God’s provision is not minimal or partial but complete and thorough. The compound nature of the word, combining “around” with “clothe,” paints a picture of God’s encompassing care that surrounds His creation entirely. This teaches us about both His sovereignty and His intimate involvement in the details of creation.

Personal Application

When we understand the full meaning of ἀμφιέννυμι, our perspective on God’s provision can be transformed. Just as He clothes the grass of the field with remarkable beauty and completeness, He promises to care for our needs with the same thoroughness and attention to detail.

This understanding invites us to trust God more deeply with our practical needs while also appreciating the beauty and purpose He builds into all of creation. It challenges us to see His provision not just in the big moments of life but in the daily details that reveal His careful attention to our needs.

Related Words

• περιβάλλω (periballo) – to throw around, clothe – emphasizes the encompassing nature of clothing – See G4016
• ἐνδύω (enduo) – to put on, clothe oneself – focuses on the personal act of dressing – See G1746
• στολίζω (stolizo) – to array, prepare, dress – highlights ceremonial or decorative aspects – See G4748

Did you Know?

• The compound structure of ἀμφιέννυμι (ἀμφί + ἕννυμι) reflects a common pattern in Greek where combining prepositions with verbs creates more specific and vivid meanings. This composition emphasizes the completeness of God’s care in clothing His creation.
• In modern Greek, while the exact form ἀμφιέννυμι is no longer commonly used, the concept of complete clothing or covering remains in related words, showing the enduring nature of this linguistic concept.
• The use of ἀμφιέννυμι in Matthew 6:30 is part of Jesus’ longest recorded sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, where He uses examples from nature to teach about God’s character and care.

Remember This

ἀμφιέννυμι reveals the magnificent truth that the God who clothes creation with such attention to detail promises to care for His people with even greater thoroughness and love.