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Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words in biblical studies is essential for grasping the nuanced meanings and context of Scripture. The Greek word κειρία (keiria) is particularly significant as it is directly associated with the burial customs and practices of the ancient Near East, especially in Jewish culture. By studying κειρία, readers can gain a better understanding of New Testament burial traditions and the socio-religious customs of ancient Greek and Jewish societies.

Necessary Information

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The Greek word is κειρία, transliterated as keiria and pronounced [kay-REE-ah]. This noun is used in the New Testament to refer to the linen strips or bandages used for wrapping a dead body, particularly in burial practices.

The etymology of κειρία is somewhat obscure, but it appears to be related to the Greek word κείρω (keirō), which means “to cut.” This connection may suggest that κειρία refers to strips of cloth that have been cut for the purpose of wrapping a body.

κειρία is a feminine noun in Greek. As a singular noun, it typically appears in the nominative case when the word is the subject of a sentence. It follows the first declension pattern of Greek nouns, which is typical for feminine nouns ending in -α or -η.

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Defining Meanings

The primary meaning of κειρία is “bandages” or “linen strips” used for wrapping a corpse. This meaning is directly tied to ancient Jewish burial customs, where bodies were wrapped in linen and anointed with spices before being placed in a tomb.

A secondary meaning can be understood as “grave clothes” or “burial cloths,” which emphasizes the broader context of the linen being part of the burial process rather than just any type of bandage.

Another extended meaning is “binding strips,” indicating a focus on the function of the cloth to bind or hold something in place, particularly in the context of preparing a body for burial.

Exploring Similar Words

ὀθόνιον (othonion) [oh-THO-nee-on]: This word refers to “linen cloth” or “linen wrapping.” Unlike κειρία, which specifically denotes the bandages or strips used in burial, ὀθόνιον can refer to any linen cloth, including those used for other purposes.

σινδών (sindōn) [sin-DOHN]: Refers to a “linen sheet” or “shroud” that covers the entire body, different from κειρία, which describes individual strips of linen used for wrapping.

ἐνταφιασμός (entaphiasmos) [en-ta-fee-as-MOS]: This word means “preparation for burial” and encompasses the entire burial process, including the use of κειρία. It is more general than κειρία, which refers specifically to the cloth strips used.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

κειρία is a first declension feminine noun in Greek. Below is a table showing the declension of κειρία:

This table illustrates how κειρία changes based on its grammatical case and number. Understanding its morphology is essential for correctly interpreting its use in biblical Greek.

For more on Greek nouns and their declensions, Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexicons provide a nuanced understanding of κειρία within its New Testament context. The term appears in the account of Lazarus’s resurrection in John 11:44, where Jesus commands, “Unbind him, and let him go,” referring to the κειρία that had bound Lazarus. This illustrates its specific role in Jewish burial customs and conveys the notion of being tightly bound or restricted. In classical usage, the word is rare but is mentioned in similar contexts involving binding or wrapping. The theological implications highlight themes of death and resurrection, captivity and freedom, particularly in the narrative of Lazarus, which prefigures Jesus’ resurrection.

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

Tracing Related Scriptures

In John 11:44, the verse reads, “The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips [κειρίαις], and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.'” This scripture vividly illustrates the usage of κειρία as the linen wrappings that bound Lazarus after his burial.

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

The word κειρία plays a critical role in understanding ancient Jewish burial customs and their theological implications within the New Testament. As linen strips used for binding corpses, κειρία is most famously associated with the story of Lazarus, reflecting themes of resurrection and freedom from death. This term also offers insight into the cultural and religious practices of the time, highlighting the significance of proper burial and preparation for the afterlife.

Did You Know?

The word κειρία is closely linked to the embalming process in ancient Jewish customs, which involved wrapping the body in spices and linen strips to preserve it.

κειρία appears only once in the New Testament, emphasizing its specialized use in describing the resurrection narrative of Lazarus.

The practice of wrapping bodies in κειρία was not unique to Jewish customs; it was also common in other ancient cultures, such as Egyptian mummification.