Bible Word Study
לָבַשׁ
lâbash · properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or another)
לָבַשׁ
properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or another)
Definition
The Hebrew verb לָבַשׁ (lâbash) fundamentally means 'to put on' or 'to clothe oneself.' Its primary sense is the literal act of wearing garments, as when God clothes Adam and Eve with skins in Genesis 3:21. Beyond the physical, it is used figuratively for putting on abstract qualities or states, such as being 'clothed with salvation' (Psalm 132:16) or 'clothed with shame' (Psalm 109:29). A distinct military sense appears in passages like Psalm 93:1, where God is described as being 'clothed with majesty' or strength, and in the donning of armor (1 Samuel 17:5, 38).
Biblical Usage
לָבַשׁ is used over 100 times across most genres of the Old Testament. It frequently describes ordinary dressing (Genesis 27:15; 38:19) and the ceremonial vesting of priests (Exodus 28:41; 29:5). The figurative usage is prominent in poetic and prophetic books, where people or God are clothed with attributes like righteousness (Job 29:14), vengeance (Isaiah 59:17), or glory (Psalm 104:1). The verb can be reflexive (clothe oneself) or causative (clothe another).
Etymology
לָבַשׁ is a primitive root verb. Its core meaning relates to wrapping, enveloping, or putting on a covering. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian 'labāšu' and Ugaritic 'lbš,' with the same basic meaning of wearing garments.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it vividly portrays both human need and divine provision. Humanity's first clothing was provided by God Himself (Genesis 3:21), symbolizing grace covering shame. Figuratively, it describes God's character—He is clothed in majesty, strength, and light (Psalm 93:1; 104:1-2). For believers, it points to the transformative act of being clothed with Christ's righteousness (a New Testament concept echoing this Hebrew imagery) and with spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:11-14). In ancient Israelite culture, clothing was a powerful marker of identity, status, and spiritual condition. To be clothed by another, especially by a superior (as Pharaoh clothed Joseph in Genesis 41:42), signified honor, authority, and a change in destiny. Priestly garments were not merely uniforms but were considered holy, essential for mediating before God (Exodus 28). Understanding this context deepens the metaphorical weight of being 'clothed' by God. עָטָה (ʿāṭâ, H5844) — to wrap, cover, or envelop, often used for wrapping in a cloak or for God covering Himself with light. כָּסָה (kāsâ, H3680) — to cover, conceal, or hide; less specific to garments and more about covering a surface. הִלְבִּישׁ (hilbîsh, H3847) — the causative (Hiphil) form of לָבַשׁ, meaning 'to cause to wear, to clothe someone.'
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]