Greek word · G2066

ἐσθής

esthēs

clothing

ἐσθής: clothing, especially formal or fine attire. λευκός: white, bright, shining. Together, 'white garments' is a stock sign of a heavenly being, of purity or of glory.

Appears 8 times in 7 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐσθής, -ῆτος, ἡ

(ἕννυμι, to clothe; hence, ἐσθής, Lk, ll with, Elz.) [in LXX: 1Es.8:71 Est.8:73, 2Ma.8:35 2Mac 11:8 * ;]

clothing, raiment: Luke 23:11 24:4, Acts 10:30 12:21, James 2:2-3.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Acts 1:10

Range of meaning

ἐσθής: clothing, especially formal or fine attire. λευκός: white, bright, shining. Together, 'white garments' is a stock sign of a heavenly being, of purity or of glory.

Against the English

'White apparel' (KJV), 'white clothing' (WEB, NASB), 'white robes' (ESV), 'dressed in white' (BSB/NIV) all say the same thing. 'Robes' adds a formal flavour that is reasonable but not required.

Used elsewhere in the period

Dan 7:9 (the Ancient of Days in clothing white as snow). 2 Macc 3:26, 33 (two young men in splendid dress appear to Heliodorus). Luke 9:29 (Jesus' clothing 'white, flashing like lightning'). Mark 16:5 (a young man in a white robe at the tomb). Matt 28:3 (the angel's clothing white as snow). John 20:12 (two angels in white). Rev 3:4–5; 7:9 (white garments of the faithful). In the animal-vision of 1 Enoch (ch. 87, 90), angels appear as 'white men'.

Where it appears

Luke · 2

  1. Luke 23:11 ἐσθῆτα apparel

    And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate.

    Here: A general word for clothing or a garment, not specifically a 'robe'. Luke uses it for the bright clothing of heavenly figures (24:4; Acts 10:30) and for Herod Agrippa's royal clothing (Acts 12:21).

  2. Luke 24:4 ἐσθῆτι garment

    While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them.

    Here: Clothing in general, often formal or striking clothing in Luke–Acts. The singular stands for their clothing as a whole.

Acts · 3

  1. Acts 1:10 ἐσθήσεσι garments

    They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.

    Here: Garments, often fine or formal dress (compare Luke 23:11; Acts 10:30, 12:21). The plural is simply 'their clothes'.

  2. Acts 10:30 ἐσθῆτι apparel

    Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this, the ninth hour. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me

    Here: A garment or robe. Luke uses it for the clothing of angels (Luke 24:4; Acts 1:10).

  3. Acts 12:21 ἐσθῆτα apparel

    On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people.

James · 3

  1. James 2:2 ἐσθῆτι ἐσθῆτι apparel

    Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.

    Here: An ordinary word for clothing, often outer garments. The same noun is used for both men, so the contrast falls entirely on the adjectives.

  2. James 2:3 ἐσθῆτα apparel

    If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,”

    Here: A garment or outfit, often used of formal or striking dress (Luke 23:11; Acts 10:30). Verse 2 contrasts the rich man's bright garment with the poor man's filthy one.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.