ἔσθησις
clothing, a garment
Definition
The Greek noun ἔσθησις (esthēsis) refers to clothing or a garment. In its single New Testament occurrence, it describes the radiant apparel of angelic figures. While its core meaning is simply 'garment,' the context in Luke 24:4 gives it a specific connotation of dazzling, supernatural attire. This distinguishes it from more common words for clothing, emphasizing not just covering but a glorious appearance.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 24:4. It describes the 'shining garments' (ἐν ἐσθῆτι ἀστραπτούσῃ) worn by the two men who appeared to the women at Jesus's empty tomb. Its usage is therefore specific to a narrative of divine revelation and resurrection, describing attire associated with heavenly beings.
Etymology
Derived from the verb ἔννυμι (ennymi), meaning 'to clothe' or 'to put on.' It is related to the more common noun ἐσθής (esthēs, G2066), which also means 'clothing' or 'raiment.' The -σις (-sis) ending typically forms an abstract noun, but here it concretely denotes the item of clothing itself.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, ἔσθησις appears at a pivotal moment—the resurrection. The 'shining garments' signify the presence of heavenly messengers (angels) confirming the victory over death. This connects to themes of divine glory, transformation, and the revelation of God's power. Understanding this specific term highlights the intentional language used to mark the tomb scene as an encounter with the divine realm, contrasting the ordinary with the glorious.
In the ancient world, bright, white, or shining garments were often associated with divinity, purity, and the celestial realm. The description in Luke would immediately signal to readers that these figures were not ordinary men but messengers from God. This cultural association of radiant clothing with heavenly beings enriches the narrative's impact.
ἱμάτιον (himation, G2440) — a general term for an outer garment or cloak. ἐσθής (esthēs, G2066) — a more common synonym for clothing or raiment, from the same root.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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