Brief Overview of βαρύτιμος (G927: barýtimos)

1. Overview

βαρύτιμος (barýtimos), transliterated as “bah-REE-tee-mos,” is a Greek adjective that combines two elements: βαρύς (barýs), meaning “heavy,” and τίμος (timos), meaning “valuable” or “precious.” Together, this word conveys the idea of something being “of great value” or “precious.” It suggests that the object or item in question is not only physically heavy or substantial but also of significant worth or importance. The word is relatively rare in the New Testament but is used in contexts that emphasize the preciousness or high value of something.

2. Lexical Details

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In BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich), barýtimos is defined as “of great value, very precious.” The word is often used in the New Testament to describe items of considerable worth, such as costly ointments or precious materials. BDAG notes that the term emphasizes both the physical and metaphorical weight of an object, highlighting its significant value or importance.

Thayer’s Lexicon also defines barýtimos as “very costly, precious,” focusing on its use in describing items that are not only expensive but also highly esteemed. Thayer points out that the word often appears in contexts where the value of the item is emphasized, such as in the description of precious ointments or valuable treasures.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary lists barýtimos under the entry for “precious,” emphasizing its use in describing items of great worth. Vine’s notes that the term is used to convey both the material value and the intrinsic worth of an object, making it suitable for describing things that are both physically and symbolically valuable.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) provides a broader context for the word, noting its use in classical Greek literature to describe anything of significant value, whether physical objects or abstract concepts such as honor or reputation. The lexicon highlights the word’s versatility in conveying both the tangible and intangible aspects of value.

Biblical references:

• Matthew 26:7: “A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume (βαρύτιμον), which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.”
• Mark 14:3: “While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume (βαρύτιμον), made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.”

These verses highlight the use of barýtimos to describe the costly and precious perfume that was poured on Jesus, emphasizing the high value and significance of the act.

3. Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, barýtimos was used to describe objects or materials of great value. It often appeared in contexts where the value of an item was being emphasized, whether in terms of monetary worth or symbolic importance.

Examples include:

• Plutarch’s Lives: barýtimos is used to describe the costly gifts and treasures that were exchanged between rulers and dignitaries, emphasizing the value placed on these items as symbols of honor and respect.
• Homer’s Odyssey: The word is used to describe the precious gifts given to Odysseus by various kings and queens, highlighting their material value and the esteem in which Odysseus was held.
• Herodotus’ Histories: barýtimos appears in descriptions of the valuable offerings made to the gods, underscoring the significance of these gifts in religious rituals.

These examples demonstrate the word’s application in classical literature to describe items of both material and symbolic value, reflecting the high esteem in which such items were held.

4. Summary

βαρύτιμος (barýtimos), meaning “of great value” or “precious,” is a Greek adjective used to describe items of significant worth. Derived from the combination of βαρύς (barýs), meaning “heavy,” and τίμος (timos), meaning “valuable,” the word conveys the idea of something being both substantial and of high value. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, Vine’s, and LSJ all agree on its primary meanings, emphasizing its use in contexts where the value of an item is being highlighted. The word appears in the New Testament to describe precious items such as costly perfume, underscoring both their material value and their symbolic significance. In classical Greek literature, barýtimos was used to describe valuable gifts, treasures, and offerings, reflecting the high regard in which such items were held.