"pluperfect, ἐκεκόσμητο (3 sg), to arrange, set in order; to adorn, decorate, embellish, Mt. 12:44; 23:29; to prepare, put in readiness, trim, Mt. 25:7; met. to honor, dignify, Tit. 2:10"
Definition and meaning
pluperfect, ἐκεκόσμητο (3 sg), to arrange, set in order; to adorn, decorate, embellish, Mt. 12:44; 23:29; to prepare, put in readiness, trim, Mt. 25:7; met. to honor, dignify, Tit. 2:10
In the original Greek the word is written: κοσμέω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of kosmeo (G2885) across the King James Bible.
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
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Common questions
Strong's G2885 (kosmeo) is a Greek word that means: pluperfect, ἐκεκόσμητο (3 sg), to arrange, set in order; to adorn, decorate, embellish, Mt. 12:44; 23:29; to prepare, put in readiness, trim, Mt. 25:7; met. to honor, dignify, Tit. 2:10 It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word kosmeo (G2885) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2885 is kosmeo, a Greek word defined as: pluperfect, ἐκεκόσμητο (3 sg), to arrange, set in order; to adorn, decorate, embellish, Mt. 12:44; 23:29; to prepare, put in readiness, trim, Mt. 25:7. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kosmeo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.