Brief Overview of σαβαχθάνι (Strong’s G4518: sabachthani)

Strong’s G4518: An Aramaic word meaning “you have forsaken me,” transliterated into Greek. Found in Jesus’s cry from the cross, quoting Psalm 22:1, it expresses the profound depth of His suffering and the reality of His bearing our sin while maintaining perfect trust in the Father.

U- Unveiling the Word

The term σαβαχθάνι carries immense theological weight as part of Jesus’s cry from the cross in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34. As an Aramaic word preserved in the Greek text, it represents Jesus’s quotation of Psalm 22:1, expressing the depths of His sacrificial suffering. The retention of the Aramaic emphasizes the historical authenticity of the account and connects Jesus’s experience to prophetic scripture. Early church fathers saw in this word the mystery of Christ’s substitutionary atonement – experiencing separation from the Father while bearing our sins. Today, this word reminds us of both the cost of our salvation and the depth of God’s love demonstrated at Calvary.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: σαβαχθάνι, sabachthani, /sab-akh-than-ee’/
• Pronunciation Guide: “sab” (like ‘sob’), “akh” (guttural ‘h’), “than” (like ‘than’), “ee” (like ‘me’)
• Part of Speech: Verb (Aramaic, transliterated)

Etymology:

• Aramaic שבקתני (shebaqtani)
• Root: שבק (shabaq) – to leave, forsake
• Suffix: תני (-tani) – second person singular suffix with first person object
• Combined meaning: you have forsaken me

D – Defining Meanings

• You have forsaken me
• You have abandoned me
• You have left me
• You have deserted me

For compound words:
Not a compound word, but an inflected Aramaic verb with pronominal suffix

Translation Options:

• “you have forsaken me” – most accurate theological meaning
• “you have abandoned me” – emphasizes emotional impact
• “you have left me” – simpler translation

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἐγκαταλείπω (egkataleipō) /eng-kat-al-i’-po/ – to abandon, forsake See G1459 – Greek equivalent
• ἀφίημι (aphiēmi) /af-ee’-ay-mee/ – to leave, forsake See G863 – similar meaning
• καταλείπω (kataleipō) /kat-al-i’-po/ – to leave behind See G2641 – related concept

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As an Aramaic word transliterated into Greek:

• Perfect tense (completed action)
• Active voice
• Indicative mood
• Second person singular subject
• First person singular object

The word is invariable in Greek text as it’s a transliteration.

Cross-references:

• Related Hebrew: עזב (azab) – to forsake
• Greek translation: ἐγκαταλείπω

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG notes σαβαχθάνι’s significance in the passion narrative. Thayer’s emphasizes its Aramaic origin and connection to Psalm 22. LSJ includes it as a borrowed term. Vine’s discusses its theological implications in Christ’s suffering. Strong’s connects it to the Aramaic root. LEH notes its unique appearance in the crucifixion accounts. Moulton and Milligan highlight its preservation of Jesus’s actual words.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” (Matthew 27:46)

Additional References:
Mark 15:34

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

Origen: Commentary on Matthew | “The cry of [abandonment] expresses the depth of His sacrifice”
Augustine: City of God | “These words reveal the mystery of our salvation”
Chrysostom: Homilies | “In this cry we see both His humanity and divinity”

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word σαβαχθάνι captures one of the most profound moments in all of Scripture – the Son’s experience of separation from the Father while bearing our sins. This cry from the cross reveals both the terrible cost of our redemption and the depth of God’s love. It proclaims the good news that King Jesus fully identified with our human condition, experiencing ultimate abandonment so that we might never be forsaken.

D – Did You Know?

1. The preservation of the Aramaic word provides evidence of the historical authenticity of the Gospel accounts.
2. Early church liturgies often included this word in Good Friday services.
3. The word appears in various ancient Christian art and inscriptions depicting the crucifixion.

Strong’s G4518: An Aramaic word meaning “you have forsaken me,” transliterated into Greek. Found in Jesus’s cry from the cross, quoting Psalm 22:1, it expresses the profound depth of His suffering and the reality of His bearing our sin while maintaining perfect trust in the Father.

Part of speech: Verb (Aramaic transliterated)

Tags: crucifixion, abandonment, Aramaic, Psalm 22, cross, suffering, atonement, Matthew’s Gospel, Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’s words​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​