Brief Overview of Ἀκελδαμά (G184)

The Greek word Ἀκελδαμά (Akeldamás) is a transliteration of the Aramaic name meaning “field of blood.” It is associated with a location mentioned in the New Testament where Judas Iscariot, having betrayed Jesus, purchased a field with the thirty pieces of silver he received for his betrayal. The field subsequently became known as the “field of blood” due to the tragic events associated with it.

Detailed Overview

1. Strong’s Concordance:

• G184 Ἀκελδαμά (Akeldamás): Strong’s Concordance defines Ἀκελδαμά as “field of blood.” It is mentioned in Acts 1:19 as the place purchased by Judas Iscariot with the money he received for betraying Jesus. The name is derived from the Aramaic words “akeḇ” (field) and “dām” (blood), reflecting the grim history associated with the field.

1. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer’s describes Ἀκελδαμά as “field of blood,” explaining that it refers to the location bought by Judas Iscariot with the betrayal money. This field is significant in the context of the New Testament as a symbol of Judas’s treachery and the resulting bloodshed. The lexicon notes that the name is a transliteration from Aramaic, reflecting its original meaning and historical context.

1. Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB) Lexicon:

• BDB does not specifically cover Ἀκελδαμά, but related resources confirm that the term means “field of blood.” It is used to describe the location mentioned in Acts where Judas Iscariot’s actions led to the purchase of a field. The term emphasizes the connection between the field and the bloodshed resulting from Judas’s betrayal.

1. Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon:

• The LSJ Lexicon provides similar information, defining Ἀκελδαμά as “field of blood.” It highlights the term’s use in Acts 1:19 and its derivation from Aramaic. The lexicon explains that the name signifies the field’s association with the blood money of Judas Iscariot and the tragic events surrounding it.

In summary, Ἀκελδαμά refers to the “field of blood,” a name given to the location purchased by Judas Iscariot with the betrayal money. This term is used in the New Testament to denote the field’s connection to the bloodshed associated with Judas’s actions.