Original Word: לָבַשׁ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: labash
Pronunciation: lah-BASH or lah-BESH
Phonetic Spelling: (law-bash')
KJV: (in) apparel, arm, array (self), clothe (self), come upon, put (on, upon), wear
NASB: clothed, put, clothe, dressed, wear, arrayed, came
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. (properly) wrap around
2. (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

in apparel, arm, array self, clothe self, come upon, put on, upon, wear

Or labesh {law-bashe'}; a primitive root; properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively -- (in) apparel, arm, array (self), clothe (self), come upon, put (on, upon), wear.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to put on, wear, clothe, be clothed
NASB Translation
apparel (1), array (1), arrayed (3), attired (1), came (3), clothe (11), clothe yourself (3), clothe yourselves (1), clothed (36), dress (1), dressed (5), gave them clothes (1), put (36), put on clothing (1), putting (1), wear (5), worn (1).

לָבֵשׁ לָבַשׁ verb put on (a garment), wear, clothe, be clothed (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic לָבֵישׁ, Assyrian labâšu; Arabic ; Ethiopic ); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singularלָבֵשׁ Psalm 93:1 (twice in verse), לָבַשׁ Job 7:5 2t., וְלָבַשׁ (consecutive) Leviticus 6:3 3t.; suffix וּלְבָשֵׁם (consecutive) Leviticus 16:4; 3feminine singular לָֽבְשָׁה Judges 6:34 2t., etc. (Ezekiel 42:14 read probablyוְלָֽבְשׁוּ Qr, for ילבשׁו Kt, but clause perhaps interpolated, see Co); Imperfect3masculine singular יִלְבַּשׁ Deuteronomy 22:5 +; suffix וַיִּלְבָּשֵׁנִי Job 29:14 יִלְבָּשָׁם Exodus 29:30; 1singular suffix אֶלְבָּשֶׁ֑נָּה Songs 5:3; 3feminine pluralתִּלְבַּשְׁןָ 2 Samuel 13:18, etc.; Imperative masculine singularלְבַשׁ 1 Kings 22:30, etc.;Infinitive absolute לָבוֺשׁ Haggai 1:6; construct לִלְבּשׁ Genesis 28:20; Leviticus 21:10; Participle active plural הַלֹּבְשִׁים Zephaniah 1:8; passive absolute לָבוּשׁ 1 Samuel 17:5; Daniel 10:5; לָבֻשׁ Ezekiel 9:2 3t.; construct לְבוּשׁ Daniel 12:6,7, לְבֻשׁ Ezekiel 9:11 3t.; plural construct לְבֻשֵׁי Ezekiel 23:6 2t.; —

1. a. literally put on (one's own) garment (accusative) Genesis 38:19; 1 Samuel 28:8; 2 Samuel 14:2; 1 Kings 22:30 2Chronicles 18:29; Exodus 29:30; Leviticus 6:3; Leviticus 6:4; Leviticus 16:4 (twice in verse); Leviticus 16:23,24,32; Leviticus 21:10; Deuteronomy 22:5; Ezekiel 44:17,19, and so Ezekiel 42:14 Qr (see above), Jonah 3:5; Songs 5:3; Esther 4:1; Esther 5:1; with accusative garment + עַלבְּֿשָׂרוֺ Leviticus 16:3; of putting on armour Jeremiah 46:4; = wear (more or less habitually), with accusative of garment, Isaiah 4:1; Deuteronomy 22:11; Zephaniah 1:8; Zechariah 13:4; of Jerusalem under figure of woman Jeremiah 4:30, of rulers under figure of shepherds Ezekiel 34:3, compare כֵּן תִּלְבַּשְׁןָ 2 Samuel 13:18 (no accusative)

b. very often figurative, put on, be clothed with, with accusative of garment; — לָבַשׁ בְּשָׂרִי רִמָּה Job 7:5 my flesh is clothed (i.e. covered) with worms; of Jerusalem, be clothed with inhabitants Isaiah 49:18; of pasture, with flocks Psalm 65:14; more often the garment is some abstract quality, e.g. righteousness, majesty, beauty, strength, etc.; — וַיִּלְבַּשׁ צְדָקָה כַּשִּׁרְיָן Isaiah 59:17 he (׳י) hath put on righteousness as a breastplate, compare Isaiah 59:17 (vengeance), Psalm 93:1 (majesty), Psalm 93:1 (strength), Psalm 104:1 (honour and majesty), Isaiah 51:9 (strength); also Job 40:10; said of men, 2Chronicles 6:41 (salvation), Psalm 132:9 (righteousness), Job 29:14 (id.); of Zion Isaiah 52:1 (twice in verse); also in bad sense, clothed with terror, trembling, shame, etc., Ezekiel 7:27; Ezekiel 26:16; Job 8:22; Psalm 35:26; Psalm 109:29, compare Psalm 35:18 (cursing).

c. literally put on, object omitted, נָתַןבֶּ֗֗֗גֶד לִלְבּשׁ Genesis 28:20; Job 27:17; Infinitive absolute לָבוֺשׁ Haggai 1:6 (there is) a clothing, but he has nothing for warmth.

d. once with בְּ לְבוּשׁאֲ֗֗֗שֶׁר לָבַשׁ בּוֺ Esther 6:8.

e. Passive participle, clothed with, chiefly Ezek.; — with accusative of garment, Ezekiel 9:2,3; Zechariah 3:3; Proverbs 31:21; Daniel 10:5; of wearing armour 1 Samuel 17:5; construct before garment, לְבֻשׁ הַבַּדִּים Ezekiel 9:11; Ezekiel 10:2,6,7, compare Ezekiel 23:6,12; Ezekiel 38:4; Daniel 12:6,7.

f. figurative: — לָֽבְשָׁה אֶתגִּֿדְע֑וֺן ׳וְרוּחַ י Judges 6:34 and the spirit of ׳י clothed itself with Gideon, i.e. (GFM) took possession of him (compare possessed); so 1 Chronicles 12:18; 2Chronicles 24:20; צֶדֶק לָבַשְׁתִּי וַיִּלְבָּשֵׁנִי Job 29:14 and it clothed itself in me, as it were, became incarnate in me.

Pu`al only Participle plural מְלֻבָּשִׁים arrayed, with accusative of garment 1 Kings 22:10 2Chronicles 18:9; 5:12; absolute in full apparel Ezra 3:10.

Hiph`il Perfect3masculine singular suffix הִלְבִּישַׁנִי Isaiah 61:10; 3feminine singular הִלְבִּישָׁה Genesis 27:16; 2masculine singular וְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּ֫ Exodus 28:41 3t.; suffix וְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּם (consecutive) Exodus 29:8; Numbers 20:26; 1singular suffix וְהִלְבַּשְׁתִּיו Isaiah 22:21; 3plural הִלְבִּישׁוּ2Chronicles 28:15, וְהִלְבִּשׁוּ (consecutive) Esther 6:9; Imperfect3masculine singular וַיַּלְבֵּשׁ Genesis 41:42 5t.; suffix וַיַּלְבִּשֵׁם Genesis 3:21; Leviticus 8:13; 3feminine singular תַּלְבִּישׁ Proverbs 23:21, etc.; Infinitive absolute הַלְבֵּשׁ Zechariah 3:4; construct הַלְבִּישׁ Esther 4:4; Participle suffix הַמַּלְ˜בִּשְׁכֶם 1 Samuel 1:24; — clothe, array with.

1 usually with 2 accusative,

a. literal וַיּלְבֵּשׁ אֹתוֺ בִּגְדֵישֵֿׁשׁ Genesis 41:42; 2 Samuel 1:24; Isaiah 22:21; Exodus 28:41; Exodus 29:5,8; Exodus 40:13,14; Leviticus 8:7,13; Numbers 20:26,28; Zechariah 3:4,5; of clothing Jerusalem under figure of infant Ezekiel 16:10; of putting armour on some one 1 Samuel 17:38 (twice in verse).

b. figurative, Job 10:11 thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh; compare Job 39:19 (quivering of horse's neck); Isaiah 50:3; Isaiah 61:10; Psalm 132:16; Psalm 132:18.

2 with accusative garment only, Genesis 27:16 ( + עַליָֿדָיו); figurative, Proverbs 23:21.

3 with accusative of person only, Genesis 3:21; Genesis 27:15; 2Chronicles 28:15 (twice in verse); Esther 4:4; Esther 6:9,11.

[לְבֵשׁ] verb be clothed (see Biblical Hebrew); —

Pe`al Imperfect accusative אַרְנְּוָנָא: 3 masculine singular יִלְבַּשׁ. Daniel 5:7, 2masculine singular תִּלְבַּשׁ Daniel 5:16.

Haph`el Perfect3masculine plural הַלְבִּ֫שׁוּ Daniel 5:29 clothe one (ל) with (accusative).

Scope of Usage in Scripture

The verb לָבַשׁ occurs roughly one-hundred-ten times across twenty-four Old Testament books. It ranges from the most concrete acts of putting on everyday garments to exalted portrayals of the LORD Himself being “robed in majesty” (Psalm 93:1). Narrative, poetry, wisdom, and prophetic literature all employ the term, creating a rich tapestry in which clothing becomes a vehicle for divine provision, priestly ordination, royal authority, military readiness, spiritual endowment, moral transformation, and eschatological hope.

Literal Clothing and Divine Provision

The first occurrence sets the tone: “And the LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). Here לָבַשׁ reveals God’s gracious initiative to cover nakedness brought on by sin, foreshadowing deeper coverings to come. Subsequent everyday uses—Jacob giving Joseph a robe (Genesis 37:3), Pharaoh investing Joseph with fine linen (Genesis 41:42), or Tamar removing widow’s garments (Genesis 38:19)—confirm that clothing signifies status, identity, and relationship.

Priestly Vestments and Sacred Service

Exodus devotes an entire section to priestly attire. Moses is commanded to “put these garments on your brother Aaron and his sons” (Exodus 28:41), signifying consecration to holy service. The garments visually distinguish the priesthood, mediate between God and Israel, and underscore the seriousness of approaching the sanctuary. At the transfer of high-priestly office, Moses must “strip Aaron of his garments and put them on his son Eleazar” (Numbers 20:26), illustrating continuity of covenant ministry. Solomon’s temple prayer echoes the same theology: “May Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation” (2 Chronicles 6:41).

Royal and Military Garb

Kings and warriors are also “clothed.” Saul “clothed David with his own tunic, put a bronze helmet on his head, and dressed him in armor” (1 Samuel 17:38). Ahab disguises himself by changing garments before battle (1 Kings 22:30). In poetic parallelism, the Psalmist pleads that enemies be “clothed with shame and reproach” (Psalm 35:26), while David prays that righteous advocates be “clothed with joy” (Psalm 132:9). Garments thus convey triumph or disgrace on the field of conflict.

Yahweh Clothed in Majesty

Several hymnic texts employ anthropomorphic imagery:
• “The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength” (Psalm 93:1).
• “Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty” (Psalm 104:1).
• “Adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory” (Job 40:10).

Such passages elevate לָבַשׁ beyond human dress, portraying divine sovereignty wrapped in unapproachable glory.

Metaphors of Righteousness, Salvation, and Shame

Moral and spiritual states can be “worn”:
• Job testifies, “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and turban” (Job 29:14).
• The Servant-Warrior in Isaiah “put on righteousness like a breastplate… garments of vengeance” (Isaiah 59:17).
• Zion exults, “He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10).

Conversely, rebels “clothe themselves with shame” (Psalm 35:26) or with violence (Psalm 73:6). The same verb that furnishes purity to the repentant supplies humiliation to the impenitent.

Prophetic Imagery and Eschatological Hope

Prophets often employ לָבַשׁ to depict national restoration. Isaiah foretells priests being “clothed with beauty” (Isaiah 52:1) and Jerusalem as a bride adorned (Isaiah 61:10). Zechariah sees Joshua’s filthy garments removed—“I have taken away your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes” (Zechariah 3:4). These visions anticipate the comprehensive cleansing and royal dignity granted in the coming Messianic age.

Endowment by the Spirit

Judges 6:34 reports, “The Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon,” indicating empowerment rather than external attire. The same wording appears when “the Spirit of God clothed Zechariah” for prophetic witness (2 Chronicles 24:20). The idiom stresses total possession by the Spirit for courageous ministry.

Intertextual Echoes in the New Testament

Greek ἐνδύω carries forward the concept: believers “have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:27), are exhorted to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11), and to “put on compassion, kindness, humility” (Colossians 3:12). The pattern established by לָבַשׁ—divine provision, priestly identity, moral transformation—culminates in union with the risen Lord.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Assurance of Provision: God clothed the first sinners; He still meets material and spiritual needs.
2. Call to Holiness: Ministers must daily “put on” the character befitting their office, just as Aaron donned holy garments.
3. Spiritual Warfare: Righteousness, salvation, and zeal remain essential armor against present darkness.
4. Pastoral Counseling: Shame can be replaced with honor through the gospel, mirroring the exchange in Zechariah 3.
5. Eschatological Hope: The promise of being “clothed with immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53) stands on the Old Testament foundation of לָבַשׁ.

Through every literal thread and figurative fold, לָבַשׁ weaves a unified biblical theology: God clothes His creation—first with skins, ultimately with salvation—so that His people might stand before Him robed in righteousness and equipped for service.

אֶלְבָּשֶׁ֑נָּה אַלְבִּ֣ישׁ אַלְבִּ֥ישׁ אלביש אלבשנה הֲתַלְבִּ֖ישׁ הִלְבִּ֖ישָׁה הִלְבִּ֣ישׁוּ הִלְבִּישַׁ֙נִי֙ הַלָּבֻ֣שׁ הַלֹּבְשִׁ֖ים הַמַּלְבִּֽשְׁכֶ֤ם הלבישה הלבישו הלבישני הלבש הלבשים המלבשכם התלביש וְהִלְבִּ֙ישׁוּ֙ וְהִלְבַּשְׁתִּ֣יו וְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּ֖ם וְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּ֙ וְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּ֤ וְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּ֥ וְהַלְבֵּ֥שׁ וְלִבְשִׁי־ וְלָֽבְשׁוּ֙ וְלָבְשׁוּ֙ וְלָבַ֖שׁ וְלָבַ֛שׁ וְלָבַ֨שׁ וַיִּלְבְּשׁ֣וּ וַיִּלְבַּ֞שׁ וַיִּלְבַּ֤שׁ וַיִּלְבַּ֥שׁ וַיִּלְבַּשׁ֙ וַיִּלְבָּשֵׁ֑נִי וַיַּלְבִּשֵֽׁם׃ וַיַּלְבִּשֵׁ֤ם וַיַּלְבִּשֻׁ֙הוּ֙ וַיַּלְבִּשׁ֣וּם וַיַּלְבֵּ֖שׁ וַיַּלְבֵּ֤שׁ וַיַּלְבֵּ֥שׁ וַיַּלְבֵּ֨שׁ וַתִּלְבַּ֖שׁ וַתִּלְבַּ֤שׁ וַתַּלְבֵּ֥שׁ וָאַלְבִּישֵׁ֣ךְ וּלְבֵשָֽׁם׃ ואלבישך והלבישו והלבש והלבשת והלבשתיו והלבשתם וילבש וילבשהו וילבשו וילבשום וילבשם וילבשם׃ וילבשני ולבש ולבשו ולבשי־ ולבשם׃ ותלבש יִֽלְבְּשׁוּ־ יִלְבְּשׁ֛וּ יִלְבְּשׁ֣וּ יִלְבְּשׁוּ־ יִלְבַּ֣שׁ יִלְבַּ֥שׁ יִלְבָּ֑שׁ יִלְבָּ֑שׁוּ יִלְבָּ֗שׁ יִלְבָּ֙שׁוּ֙ יִלְבָּשָׁ֧ם ילבש ילבשו ילבשו־ ילבשם לְב֣וּשׁ לְבַ֣שׁ לְבֻ֣שׁ לְבֻֽשׁ־ לְבֻשֵׁ֣י לְבֻשֵׁ֤י לְהַלְבִּ֣ישׁ לִבְשִׁ֣י ׀ לִבְשִׁ֥י לִבְשִׁי־ לִבְשׁ֖וּ לִלְבֹּ֖שׁ לִלְבֹּֽשׁ׃ לָ֘בַ֤שׁ לָ֫בֵ֥שׁ לָ֭בַשְׁתִּי לָֽבְשָׁה֙ לָֽבַשׁ־ לָב֑וּשׁ לָב֖וֹשׁ לָב֣וּשׁ לָבְשָׁ֖ה לָבְשָׁ֗ה לָבְשׁ֬וּ לָבֵ֣שׁ לָבַ֖שׁ לָבָֽשְׁתָּ׃ לָבֻ֖שׁ לָבֻ֣שׁ לָבֻ֥שׁ לבוש לבש לבש־ לבשה לבשו לבשי לבשי־ לבשת׃ לבשתי להלביש ללבש ללבש׃ מְלֻבָּשִׁ֜ים מְלֻבָּשִׁ֣ים מְלֻבָּשִׁ֤ים מלבשים נִלְבָּ֑שׁ נלבש תִּלְבַּ֧שְׁןָ תִּלְבָּ֔שׁוּ תִּלְבָּֽשׁ׃ תִלְבְּשִׁ֨י תִלְבַּשׁ֙ תִלְבָּ֔שִׁי תַּלְבִּ֥ישׁ תַּלְבִּישֵׁ֑נִי תלביש תלבישני תלבש תלבש׃ תלבשו תלבשי תלבשן ’al·bîš ’albîš ’el·bā·šen·nāh ’elbāšennāh alBish elbaShennah hă·ṯal·bîš hal·lā·ḇuš hal·lō·ḇə·šîm hallāḇuš hallaVush hallōḇəšîm halloeShim ham·mal·biš·ḵem hammalbishChem hammalbišḵem hăṯalbîš hatalBish hil·bî·ša·nî hil·bî·šāh hil·bî·šū hilbîšāh hilbîšanî hilBishah hilbiShani hilBishu hilbîšū lā·ḇā·šə·tā lā·ḇaš lā·ḇaš- lā·ḇaš·tî lā·ḇə·šāh lā·ḇə·šū lā·ḇêš lā·ḇō·wōš lā·ḇuš lā·ḇūš lāḇaš lāḇaš- lāḇāšətā lāḇaštî lāḇêš lāḇəšāh lāḇəšū lāḇōwōš lāḇuš lāḇūš laVash laVasheta Lavashti laVesh laveShah laveShu laVoosh laVush lə·ḇaš lə·ḇu·šê lə·ḇuš lə·ḇūš lə·ḇuš- lə·hal·bîš ləḇaš ləḇuš ləḇūš ləḇuš- ləḇušê ləhalbîš lehalBish leVash leVush levuShei liḇ·šî liḇ·šî- liḇ·šū liḇšî liḇšî- liḇšū lil·bōš lilbōš lilBosh livshi livShu mə·lub·bā·šîm melubbaShim məlubbāšîm nil·bāš nilbāš nilBash tal·bî·šê·nî tal·bîš talbîš talbîšênî talBish talbiSheni ṯil·bā·šî til·bā·šū til·bāš ṯil·baš til·baš·nā ṯil·bə·šî tilbāš ṯilbaš tilBash tilBashi tilBashna tilBashu ṯilbāšî tilbašnā tilbāšū tilbeShi ṯilbəšî ū·lə·ḇê·šām ūləḇêšām uleveSham vaalbiShech vaiyalBesh vaiyalbiShem vaiyalbiShuhu vaiyalbiShum vaiyilBash vaiyilbaSheni vaiyilbeShu vattalBesh vattilBash vehalBesh vehilbashTa vehilbashTam vehilbashTiv vehilBishu velaVash velaveShu velivshi wā’albîšêḵ wā·’al·bî·šêḵ wat·tal·bêš wat·til·baš wattalbêš wattilbaš way·yal·bêš way·yal·bi·šêm way·yal·bi·šu·hū way·yal·bi·šūm way·yil·bā·šê·nî way·yil·baš way·yil·bə·šū wayyalbêš wayyalbišêm wayyalbišuhū wayyalbišūm wayyilbaš wayyilbāšênî wayyilbəšū wə·hal·bêš wə·hil·baš·tā wə·hil·baš·tām wə·hil·baš·tîw wə·hil·bî·šū wə·lā·ḇaš wə·lā·ḇə·šū wə·liḇ·šî- wəhalbêš wəhilbaštā wəhilbaštām wəhilbaštîw wəhilbîšū wəlāḇaš wəlāḇəšū wəliḇšî- yil·bā·šām yil·bā·šū yil·baš yil·bāš yil·bə·šū yil·bə·šū- yilbaš yilbāš yilbāšām yilBash yilbaSham yilBashu yilbāšū yilbeShu yilbəšū yilbəšū-Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts