G3419

Unveiling the Word

In biblical studies, understanding key Greek words such as μνημεῖον (mnēmeion) is crucial for interpreting passages that deal with concepts of life, death, and resurrection. Occurring in Matthew 8:28, μνημεῖον is typically translated as “tomb” or “sepulcher.” It is used frequently in the New Testament, particularly in narratives surrounding the death and burial of Jesus and others. Studying μνημεῖον allows for a richer understanding of both the physical and symbolic roles that tombs played in Jewish and Greco-Roman culture, emphasizing the importance of burial places as sacred spaces.

Necessary Information

Greek Word: μνημεῖον (mnēmeion)

Transliteration: mnēmeion

Pronunciation: /mnay-MY-on/

Etymology: The word μνημεῖον comes from the verb μιμνῄσκομαι (mimnēskomai), meaning “to remember” or “to recall.” This etymological connection ties the concept of a tomb with memory, reflecting how tombs were often intended to preserve the memory of the deceased.

Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter

Μνημεῖον is a neuter noun, and in most contexts, it refers to a physical location where bodies were placed after death, such as a tomb, grave, or sepulcher.

The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Defining Meanings

1. Tomb or Sepulcher: The primary meaning of μνημεῖον in the New Testament refers to a burial place, often a carved-out rock tomb or cave where the dead were placed. This is the most common usage, particularly in the Gospels, where it is used to describe the burial places of both Jesus and others.

2. Memorial Structure: Beyond a simple grave, μνημεῖον also carries the meaning of a place of remembrance or memorial, emphasizing the cultural significance of tombs as places meant to keep the memory of the dead alive.

Exploring Similar Words

1. Μνῆμα (mnēma) [MNAY-mah]: A similar word for “tomb” or “grave.” While μνῆμα has the same basic meaning, μνημεῖον tends to focus more on the place as a memorial or as part of a cultural or religious practice.

2. Ταφή (taphē) [ta-FAY]: This term refers more specifically to the act of burial rather than the location where the body is laid to rest.

3. Σῆμα (sēma) [SAY-mah]: Another Greek word for tomb, but one that often emphasizes the marker or sign (like a gravestone) associated with a burial site.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender:

Μνημεῖον is a neuter noun, and its inflection varies depending on its use in sentences. Below is a basic declension for μνημεῖον:

Case Singular Plural

Nominative μνημεῖον μνημεῖα

Genitive μνημείου μνημείων

Dative μνημείῳ μνημείοις

Accusative μνημεῖον μνημεῖα

For more on declensions, click here for a beginner’s guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexicons consistently highlight μνημεῖον as a term that refers to physical burial places, and many Greek lexicons, such as BDAG and Thayer’s, agree that it denotes a tomb or memorial structure. In biblical contexts, the term takes on heightened theological significance, especially in the accounts of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. The physical tombs were often hewn out of rock and were symbols not just of death but also of memory and reverence for the deceased. In classical Greek contexts, μνημεῖον had similar meanings, though often with more emphasis on the grandeur of the tomb as a public memorial.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 8:28 – “When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs [μνημείων], so fierce that no one could pass that way.”

2. Matthew 27:60 – “And laid it in his own new tomb [μνημείῳ], which he had cut in the rock.”

3. Luke 24:2 – “They found the stone rolled away from the tomb [μνημείου].”

4. John 20:1 – “Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb [μνημεῖον] early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Example Text

Herodotus Histories “They built a great tomb [μνημεῖον] in his honor.”

Plato Phaedrus “A tomb [μνημεῖον] was erected as a lasting memorial.”

Septuagint 2 Kings 23:17 “What is this monument [μνημεῖον] that I see?”

Noteworthy Summary

Μνημεῖον (mnēmeion) primarily refers to a tomb or grave, especially in the New Testament where it is central to burial and resurrection narratives. The word connects deeply with ancient customs of remembrance, honoring the dead, and the significance of tombs as both physical places and symbolic structures. In the New Testament, the word carries a theological weight, particularly when used in connection to Jesus’ resurrection. Its usage in classical Greek literature also emphasizes its role as a monument or memorial for the dead, often as a significant or marked structure.

Did You Know?

1. The word μνημεῖον shares its root with “mnemonic,” which refers to a device used to aid memory.

2. In ancient Greece, tombs (μνημεῖα) were often seen as symbols of both personal and family honor, with elaborate designs to ensure the memory of the deceased endured.

3. Jewish burial practices, particularly for the wealthy, often involved rock-hewn tombs, making μνημεῖον a fitting term for the tombs described in the Gospels.