G3418

Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words like μνῆμα (mnēma) is vital in biblical studies, especially for interpreting key passages in the New Testament. Occurring in Mark 5:5, μνῆμα is typically translated as “tomb” or “grave,” and is associated with places of burial or memory. This word is significant for both its theological implications—dealing with death, resurrection, and memory—and its cultural relevance, as tombs in the ancient world were not merely places for the dead but also sites of commemoration and reverence. By grasping the full meaning of μνῆμα, one can better appreciate the spiritual and cultural weight the word carried in biblical times.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: μνῆμα (mnēma)

Transliteration: mnēma

Pronunciation: /mnay-mah/

Etymology: The word μνῆμα derives from the Greek verb μιμνῄσκω (mimnēskō), meaning “to remember” or “to call to mind.” This connection between memory and a place for the dead highlights the cultural and religious importance of tombs as spaces where people were remembered, honored, and commemorated.

Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter

Μνῆμα is a neuter noun. It functions as a common noun, referring to burial sites or tombs, often emphasizing the concept of memory tied to the physical space of burial.

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

Defining Meanings

1. Tomb or Grave: The primary meaning of μνῆμα in the New Testament is a tomb or burial site. It often refers to places where the dead were interred, especially in the Gospels, where it appears in narratives related to burials and resurrection.

2. Place of Memory: Beyond being a physical burial site, μνῆμα also carries connotations of memory or commemoration. Tombs were not just for burial but were often inscribed or designed to help the living remember and honor the deceased.

3. Memorial: In certain contexts, μνῆμα can also be interpreted as a memorial, a place or object intended to keep the memory of a person alive.

Exploring Similar Words

1. Μνῆμα (mnēmosynon) [mnay-MOS-yoo-non]: This word means “memorial” or “remembrance” and emphasizes the act of remembering. While μνῆμα focuses on the burial site itself, μνῆμα (mnēmosynon) highlights the purpose of memory and honoring the dead.

2. Ταφή (taphē) [ta-FAY]: This term specifically means “burial” or “interment” and differs from μνῆμα, as it refers to the act of burying rather than the place where the body rests.

3. Σῆμα (sēma) [SAY-mah]: Another word for tomb or grave, often used in ancient Greek literature. It also has connections to the idea of a “sign” or “marker,” linking it to the function of tombs as markers of memory and death.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender:

Μνῆμα is a neuter noun, following the typical patterns of neuter nouns in Greek. It appears in various cases, depending on its role in a sentence (subject, object, etc.). Below is a basic declension table for μνῆμα:

Case Singular Plural

Nominative μνῆμα μνήματα

Genitive μνήματος μνημάτων

Dative μνήματι μνήμασι

Accusative μνῆμα μνήματα

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

Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexicon entries for μνῆμα consistently emphasize its meaning as a place of burial. BDAG, Thayer’s, and other lexicons point out that it is primarily used to refer to graves or tombs in the New Testament. The cultural context, especially in ancient Greek and Jewish traditions, links μνῆμα to remembrance and respect for the dead. In classical Greek literature, it often signifies a burial place, while in the New Testament, it takes on a theological significance, particularly in stories of resurrection and encounters with the dead. For example, Mark 5:5 describes a man living among the tombs, underscoring both the literal and symbolic isolation of death.

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

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Mark 5:5 – “Night and day among the tombs [μνήμασιν], and on the mountains, he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.”

2. Matthew 23:29 – “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs [μνήματα] of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous.”

3. Luke 24:2 – “And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb [μνήματος].”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Example Text

Plato Phaedrus “The remembrance of the tomb [μνῆμα] will remain forever.”

Herodotus Histories “They buried the great king in a sacred tomb [μνῆμα].”

Septuagint 2 Chronicles 16:14 “They buried him in his own tomb [μνῆμα] in the city of David.”

Noteworthy Summary

Μνῆμα (mnēma) is a significant Greek word primarily meaning “tomb” or “grave.” In both classical and biblical contexts, μνῆμα is a place of burial, but it also carries connotations of memory, honor, and commemoration. In the New Testament, μνῆμα appears in narratives about death and resurrection, underscoring the theological implications of burial places. Understanding this word helps illuminate the cultural practices surrounding death in ancient Greek and Jewish contexts, as well as the deeper spiritual meanings attached to tombs in the Gospels.

Did You Know?

1. The word μνῆμα is related to the English term “mnemonic,” reflecting the shared root that emphasizes memory and remembrance.

2. In ancient Greece, tombs were often adorned with inscriptions meant to ensure the dead were remembered for generations.

3. Tombs (μνῆματα) were often seen not just as places of burial but as sacred spaces where the living could interact with the memory of the dead.