ζώννυμι (G2224) — Greek Lexicon

ζώννυμι

zṓnnymi

G2224 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To gird, to wrap around or bind with a belt or sash, typically referring to fastening a belt or cloth about the waist; by extension, to prepare oneself by putting on appropriate clothing (often for activity, travel, or readiness). Contextually, may indicate literal fastening of a garment, or metaphorically, the act of preparing oneself for action.

Semantic Range

to gird (oneself or another), to fasten clothing with a belt or sash, to prepare for action by girding, to encircle with a garment or tool

Root / Etymology

From ζώνη (zōnē, 'belt, girdle'), by addition of the verbal suffix -νυμι, forming a verb meaning 'to bind with a belt.' Root ultimately relates to objects used to encircle or gird the waist.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ζώννυμι refers primarily to binding on a belt or sash, especially around the waist, to secure a garment or tool. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, the verb is relatively uncommon but persists especially in literary and religious contexts to describe the act of girding, often as a preparatory act before journeying, labor, or battle. In the Septuagint and New Testament, ζώννυμι appears in passages where readiness, preparation, or action is emphasized, signifying not only the literal act of girding oneself but also implying mental or spiritual readiness. The related verb περιζώννυμι (perizōnnumi) intensifies the sense ('to gird around completely'). Standard English translations often render ζώννυμι as 'gird' or 'gird up,' but this can obscure the physical and preparatory aspects implicit in the original. The act had cultural significance, as gathering up loose garments with a belt was a necessary preliminary for work or rapid movement. The semantic field overlaps with verbs of preparation and readiness in both secular and religious literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ζώνη; to bind about (especially with a belt):--gird.

Root Family

ζων- (zṓnē) — to bind, to gird, to encircle

Root ζων- to gird, to bind with a belt, to wrap around

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G2223	ζώνη	belts

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2224-01`	ἐζώννυες	ezonnues	`V IMPF ACT IND 2P SG`	you girded	you were girding	you were girding	1
`G2224-02`	ζῶσαι	zosai	`V AOR MID IMP 2P SG`	Gird yourself	Gird yourself	Gird yourself	1
`G2224-03`	ζώσει	zosei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will gird	he/she/it will gird	he/she/it will gird	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2224-01`	John 21:18	ἐζώννυες	ezonnues	`V IMPF ACT IND 2P SG`	you girded	you were girding	you were girding
`G2224-03`	John 21:18	ζώσει	zosei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will gird	he/she/it will gird	he/she/it will gird
`G2224-02`	Acts 12:8	ζῶσαι	zosai	`V AOR MID IMP 2P SG`	Gird yourself	Gird yourself	Gird yourself

← G2223 Greek Lexicon G2225 →