Brief Overview of θυσία (Strong’s G2378: thysía)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is essential for delving into the deeper meanings and nuances of scripture. The Greek word θυσία (thysía) is particularly significant, as it refers to a “sacrifice” or “offering.” This concept is crucial for interpreting New Testament theology, especially regarding Christ’s sacrificial death and its implications for believers. Moreover, in ancient Greek culture, θυσία was a central part of religious practices, rituals, and worship, reflecting the broader spiritual and cultural context of the time.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: θυσία (thysía) [thoo-SEE-ah]
• Etymology: Derived from the root word θύω (thýō), meaning “to sacrifice” or “to slay,” indicating an act of offering something valuable to a deity or as part of religious rites.
• Part of Speech: Noun, feminine, first declension.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• A sacrifice or offering, especially in a religious context.
• The act of offering something, often involving the killing of an animal as part of worship.

Similar Words: προσφορά (prosforá) [pros-fo-RAH], meaning “offering” or “presentation,” also refers to something given, but it emphasizes the act of presenting rather than the sacrificial aspect. While both θυσία and προσφορά involve giving, θυσία specifically denotes a sacrificial act that implies loss or cost.

Further Insights: θυσία is a first-declension feminine noun. Here is the declension chart:

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Lexicon Insights

BDAG: θυσία is defined as “an offering or sacrifice,” emphasizing its use in both Jewish and Christian contexts to denote a ritual act of offering to God. It also mentions its metaphorical use for spiritual sacrifices, such as praise or thanksgiving.

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Thayers: Describes θυσία as “a sacrifice,” highlighting its religious significance in both the Old and New Testaments. It notes that the term can refer to both literal animal sacrifices and spiritual sacrifices, such as acts of worship or good deeds.

Vines: Focuses on θυσία as “an offering,” often used to describe the sacrifices of the Mosaic law and their typological fulfillment in the New Testament through Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. It also draws attention to the spiritual sacrifices that believers are called to offer in their lives.

LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon defines θυσία as “a sacrifice” in general terms and provides examples of its use in classical Greek literature, where it refers to the religious offerings made to gods, often in the form of animals, libations, or other gifts.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Describes θυσία as a “sacrifice” or “offering,” derived from θύω (“to sacrifice”). It emphasizes that θυσία represents the act of giving up something valuable, typically in the context of religious devotion, ritual, or worship.

Related Scripture References

• Romans 12:1: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice (θυσίαν), acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”
• Hebrews 13:15: “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice (θυσίαν) of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:20: “No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice (θυσίουσιν), they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons.”

Classical Usage

Summary of θυσία (G2378)

The Greek word θυσία (thysía) signifies “sacrifice” or “offering” and is pivotal in understanding biblical teachings on worship, atonement, and devotion. Derived from θύω (“to sacrifice”), it conveys the idea of giving up something valuable to God or a deity. This concept appears extensively in both the Old and New Testaments, indicating various forms of sacrifice, from animal offerings under the Mosaic law to spiritual sacrifices of praise, good deeds, and ultimately, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. θυσία also holds a significant place in classical Greek culture, where it was central to religious practices and the worship of gods. Understanding this term enhances one’s appreciation of its theological and cultural implications throughout history.

Did You Know?

In ancient Greece, sacrifices (θυσίαι) were not just acts of worship but also social events. Communities would come together to offer a portion of their best livestock, grains, or wine to the gods. After the sacrificial ritual, a communal feast often followed, where the remaining portion of the offering was shared among the participants. This practice not only served as a religious observance but also as a means of strengthening social bonds and community cohesion.