ἐσθής
esthḗs
G2066 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Garment, clothing worn on the body; denotes a piece of apparel, generally outerwear or formal attire, especially in contexts emphasizing dignity, status, or ceremonial function. The term refers broadly to what is worn, but in certain contexts specifies formal, stately, or fine clothing, such as richly ornamented robes.
Semantic Range
garment, garment of dignity, fine clothing, ceremonial attire, apparel, robe, stately dress, splendid attire
Root / Etymology
From the root ἐν- (en-, 'in') + the stem σθ- (found in some old forms relating to wearing or putting on clothing); etymology uncertain and not directly related to the common Koine verb for 'to clothe' (ἐνδύω).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἐσθής appears in literature (e.g., Homer, Herodotus) for generic apparel or attire, sometimes specifying fine or ceremonial clothing. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, including the Septuagint, ἐσθής continues to denote garments, often those of notable persons, such as priests, nobles, or messengers, and may signify both outer and distinctive dress. In the New Testament, the term typically refers to garments highlighting social or ceremonial distinction (e.g., 'splendid apparel' in Luke 7:25). Unlike more common terms for clothing such as ἱμάτιον (an outer garment) or χιτών (tunic, inner clothing), ἐσθής focuses on the dignity, quality, or notable appearance of the clothing. English translations such as 'raiment,' 'apparel,' or 'robe' capture the formal or stately nuance but may underrepresent its use for any respectable clothing in broader Greek contexts. The word seldom indicates simple or everyday wear, unlike χιτών or ἱμάτιον.
Translation Consistency
Matches the SILEX range (garment, robe, formal attire) and is the most natural, common English choice. It was the predominant rendering in the P2 data (6 of 8) and covers both singular/plural and formal or ordinary apparel without being overly specific (e.g., 'robe').
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from (to clothe); dress:--apparel, clothing, raiment, robe.
Root Family
ἐσθής (esthēs) — garment, clothing, apparel
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2066-03 |
ἐσθῆτι | estheti | N DAT F SG |
clothing | in a garment | in a garment | 4 |
G2066-02 |
ἐσθῆτα | estheta | N ACC F SG |
apparel | a garment | a garment | 3 |
G2066-01 |
ἐσθήσεσι | esthesesi | N DAT F PL |
clothing | to garments | garments | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2066-02 |
Luke 23:11 | ἐσθῆτα | estheta | N ACC F SG |
robe | a garment | a garment |
G2066-03 |
Luke 24:4 | ἐσθῆτι | estheti | N DAT F SG |
clothing | in a garment | in a garment |
G2066-01 |
Acts 1:10 | ἐσθήσεσι | esthesesi | N DAT F PL |
clothing | to garments | garments |
G2066-03 |
Acts 10:30 | ἐσθῆτι | estheti | N DAT F SG |
clothing | in a garment | in a garment |
G2066-02 |
Acts 12:21 | ἐσθῆτα | estheta | N ACC F SG |
apparel | a garment | a garment |
G2066-03 |
James 2:2 | ἐσθῆτι | estheti | N DAT F SG |
apparel | in a garment | in a garment |
G2066-03 |
James 2:2 | ἐσθῆτι | estheti-2 | N DAT F SG |
clothes | in a garment | in a garment |
G2066-02 |
James 2:3 | ἐσθῆτα | estheta | N ACC F SG |
clothing | a garment | a garment |