Lexical Summary himatizó: To clothe, to dress Original Word: ἱματίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance clothe. From himation; to dress -- clothe. see GREEK himation NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom himation Definition to clothe NASB Translation clothed (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2439: ἱματίζωἱματίζω: perfect passive participle ἱματισμενος; (ἱμάτιον); to clothe: Mark 5:15; Luke 8:35. (Found neither in the Sept. nor in secular authors (cf. Winer's Grammar, 26 (25)).) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 2439 describes the state of being “dressed” or “clothed.” It is used twice, both in the parallel accounts of the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:15; Luke 8:35). The term portrays completed, lasting change: the formerly naked, out-of-control man is now permanently seated, fully clothed, and clear-minded in the presence of Jesus Christ. Occurrences in the Gospels • Mark 5:15 – “When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.” Both writers highlight four details: sitting, dressed, sane, and the crowd’s fear. The clothing is the visible proof of interior transformation and immediate restoration to community life. Transformation from Chaos to Order In both narratives, the demoniac’s previous nakedness (Luke 8:27) symbolized disorder, shame, and alienation. Jesus’ deliverance restores order: the man is clothed, seated, and sensible. Scripture consistently pairs clothing with divine acts of covering (Genesis 3:21), honor (Genesis 37:3), and righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). Here, clothing becomes the first public sign that salvation has taken hold. Restoration of Dignity and Identity First-century culture associated nakedness with disgrace (2 Samuel 10:4-5) and bondage (Nahum 3:5). By contrast, proper dress signified dignity, membership, and self-control. Jesus does more than expel demons; He restores the man’s human worth, allowing him to return to his city as a witness (Mark 5:19-20). The participial form underscores an enduring state, not a temporary cover. Old Testament Foreshadowing The divine pattern of covering the guilty pair with garments (Genesis 3:21) anticipates the gospel’s provision. Zechariah 3:3-4 records Joshua the high priest stripped of filthy garments and clothed with clean festal robes—imagery later fulfilled in believers who are “clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:27). The Gerasene episode demonstrates that this clothing begins the instant Christ liberates a sinner. New Testament Parallels • Galatians 3:27 – All who are baptized into Christ “have clothed yourselves with Christ.” These imperatives presume the initial change pictured in Mark 5 and Luke 8; disciples are to live outwardly what Christ has already effected inwardly. Ministry Implications 1. Evidence of Conversion: Observable change—in conduct, appearance, and temperament—validates gospel power. Eschatological Hope The clothing motif culminates in the white robes of the redeemed (Revelation 3:5; Revelation 7:13-14; Revelation 19:8). Present deliverance foreshadows final glorification when “mortality shall be clothed with immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:54). Theological Summary Strong’s 2439 marks the visible, enduring result of Jesus’ saving authority: shame is covered, sanity restored, and a new identity granted. The word’s rare but vivid usage anchors a broader biblical theology of clothing that spans from Eden to the New Jerusalem, confirming that God’s redemptive work always includes the public restoration of human dignity for His glory and for gospel witness. Forms and Transliterations ιματισμενον ιματισμένον ἱματισμένον himatismenon himatisménon imatismenonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 5:15 V-RPM/P-AMSGRK: δαιμονιζόμενον καθήμενον ἱματισμένον καὶ σωφρονοῦντα NAS: sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, KJV: and clothed, and INT: possessed by demons sitting clothed and of sound mind Luke 8:35 V-RPM/P-AMS |
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