σπαργανόω
sparganóō
G4683 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To wrap an infant in long strips of cloth, to swathe or enclose in bands, particularly as was the common custom with newborns. The principal meaning involves the act of binding a baby tightly with cloths for protection, comfort, or traditional purposes, especially immediately following birth. By extension, can imply to envelop or enclose something closely, but attested use is almost exclusively related to infant swaddling.
Semantic Range
to wrap an infant in swaddling bands, to swathe with cloths, to envelop closely (esp. of newborns or infants)
Root / Etymology
From the noun σπάργανον (swaddling band, strip of cloth), itself of uncertain origin, possibly related to or derived from a base meaning 'to tear, to pull' as in σπαράσσω (to tear, rend). σπαργανόω is a denominative verb formed from σπάργανον, hence 'to wrap with swaddling bands.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
σπαργανόω occurs infrequently in the Koine period, with its primary attestations in the New Testament describing the wrapping of the infant Jesus (Luke 2:7, 2:12). The custom of swaddling infants—wrapping them in bands of cloth for warmth and security—was widespread in the Eastern Mediterranean. In Hellenistic and Roman contexts, the verb is virtually synonymous with the action of enclosing a newborn with strips of cloth, primarily serving a physical and practical function. The noun σπάργανον is found more widely, but the verb is rare outside biblical or medical texts. In LXX Greek, σπαργανόω is not attested; the practice, however, is referred to using other terms in earlier texts. English translations commonly phrase σπαργανόω as 'to swaddle' or 'to wrap in swaddling clothes,' but the nuance may be lost or poorly understood in contexts where swaddling is no longer a familiar cultural reference.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from (a strip; from a derivative of the base of σπαράσσω meaning to strap or wrap with strips); to swathe (an infant after the Oriental custom):--wrap in swaddling clothes.
Root Family
σπαργαν- (sparganóō) — to wrap, to swathe, to enclose
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4683-01 |
ἐσπαργανωμένον | esparganomenon | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N SG |
wrapped | having been swaddled | having been swaddled | 1 |
G4683-02 |
ἐσπαργάνωσεν | esparganosen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
she wrapped | he/she swathed | she wrapped | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences