περιβάλλω

I cast around, clothe

Definition

The verb περιβάλλω primarily means 'to throw or cast around,' and in its most common biblical usage, it refers to the act of putting on or being clothed in garments (e.g., Mark 16:5, Revelation 7:9). This can describe dressing oneself or being clothed by another. In a few instances, it carries the more literal sense of 'to draw a line around' or 'to surround,' as seen in John 10:24 where the Jews 'surround' Jesus. The word powerfully conveys the idea of being fully enveloped or covered, whether literally with clothing or figuratively with an attribute.

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, περιβάλλω is used almost exclusively in the context of clothing. It appears in narratives describing angelic appearances (Mark 16:5), in Jesus' teaching about God's provision (Matthew 6:29, 31; Luke 12:27), and in the parable of the sheep and goats concerning acts of mercy (Matthew 25:36, 38, 43). The sole exception is its use for 'surrounding' in John 10:24. It is most frequent in the Gospels, with a few occurrences in Revelation describing glorified clothing.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition περί (peri), meaning 'around, about,' and the verb βάλλω (ballō), meaning 'to throw or cast.' The compound literally means 'to throw around.' This root meaning is vividly seen in its two main uses: casting a garment around oneself (clothing) and casting a circle around something (surrounding).

Semantic Range

This word enriches our understanding of divine provision and identity. In Jesus' teaching (Matthew 6), it highlights God's attentive care in clothing creation, arguing for trust in His provision for believers. In the judgment parable (Matthew 25), clothing the naked is a concrete act of mercy identifying true disciples. In Revelation, the white robes περιβάλλω given to the saints (Revelation 7:9, 13) symbolize the righteousness and victory bestowed by Christ, moving the concept from physical provision to ultimate spiritual covering.

In the ancient world, clothing was a significant marker of status, identity, and honor. To be 'clothed' (περιβάλλω) in fine garments, like Solomon (Matthew 6:29), indicated wealth and glory. Conversely, lacking clothing was a state of profound shame and vulnerability. The act of providing clothing was thus a serious moral duty and a tangible expression of compassion, deeply informing the ethical instruction in Matthew 25.

ἐνδύω (endyō, G1746) — more common verb for 'put on,' often used for putting on spiritual qualities or armor; ἱμάτιον (himation, G2440) — a noun for garment, the object that is 'cast around.'

Word Details

Scripture References