Brief Overview of σάββατον (Strong’s G4521: sabbaton)

Strong’s G4521: From Hebrew שַׁבָּת (shabbat), meaning the seventh day of rest. In New Testament usage, it refers to both the weekly Sabbath day and by extension a week (counted between Sabbaths). Central to Jewish religious life and a frequent topic in Jesus’s ministry regarding proper observance.

U- Unveiling the Word

The term σάββατον carries profound religious and cultural significance in the New Testament. First appearing in Matthew 12:1 (plural form) and Matthew 12:8 (singular form), it represents not just a day of rest but God’s ordained pattern of work and rest. Jesus’s teachings about the Sabbath reveal its true purpose – not as a burden but as a gift for human flourishing. The early church’s understanding of σάββατον evolved as they recognized Christ as the fulfillment of Sabbath rest. Today, this word reminds us that true rest is found in Christ, who invites us to cease from our spiritual striving and find rest in His completed work.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: σάββατον, sabbaton, /sab’-bat-on/
• Pronunciation Guide: “sab” (like ‘sob’), “bat” (as in ‘bat’), “on” (like ‘on’)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• From Hebrew שַׁבָּת (shabbat)
• Root: שָׁבַת (shavat) – to cease, rest
• Transliterated through Aramaic into Greek
• No Greek prefixes or suffixes

D – Defining Meanings

• The Sabbath day
• A week (measured between Sabbaths)
• A day of religious observance
• A period of rest

For compound words:
Not a compound word – it’s a transliteration from Hebrew

Translation Options:

• “Sabbath” – preserves religious significance
• “week” – when used in time references
• “day of rest” – emphasizes functional meaning

E – Exploring Similar Words

• σαββατισμός (sabbatismos) /sab-bat-is-mos’/ – Sabbath-rest state See G4520 – spiritual rest
• κατάπαυσις (katapausis) /kat-ap’-ow-sis/ – rest See G2663 – general rest
• ἑορτή (heortē) /heh-or-tay’/ – feast, festival See G1859 – religious observance

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a noun:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural (σάββατα)
• Gender: Neuter
• Declension: Second declension

Example forms:

• Nominative singular: σάββατον
• Genitive singular: σαββάτου
• Dative singular: σαββάτῳ
• Accusative singular: σάββατον
• Plural forms show irregular pattern: σάββατα

Cross-references:

• Related verb: σαββατίζω (to keep the Sabbath)
• Related noun: σαββατισμός (Sabbath rest)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both religious and chronological uses of σάββατον. Thayer’s details its Hebrew background and development. LSJ notes its unique status as a religious loan word. Vine’s discusses its theological significance in Jesus’s ministry. Strong’s connects it to the Hebrew concept of rest. LEH documents its Septuagint usage. Moulton and Milligan show its integration into Hellenistic culture.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. (Matthew 12:1)

Additional References:
Matthew 12:8
Mark 2:27
Luke 6:1
John 5:9
Acts 13:14
Colossians 2:16

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word σάββατον points us to the deeper rest found in King Jesus. While it began as a day of physical rest, Christ revealed Himself as Lord of the Sabbath, offering true spiritual rest. This proclaims the good news that in Christ, we find not just weekly rest but eternal rest from our works, entering into God’s own rest through faith in His Son.

D – Did You Know?

1. The plural form σάββατα was often used to refer to a single Sabbath day.
2. The term influenced the development of the seven-day week throughout the Roman Empire.
3. Early Christians transformed the meaning while maintaining the principle of rest in Christ.

Strong’s G4521: From Hebrew שַׁבָּת (shabbat), meaning the seventh day of rest. In New Testament usage, it refers to both the weekly Sabbath day and by extension a week (counted between Sabbaths). Central to Jewish religious life and a frequent topic in Jesus’s ministry regarding proper observance.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: Sabbath, rest, week, Jewish customs, Jesus’s teaching, religious observance, Lord of Sabbath, Matthew’s Gospel, divine rest, spiritual rest​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​