Brief Overview of Σινᾶ (Strong’s G4614: Sina)

Strong’s G4614: A proper noun referring to Mount Sinai, derived from Hebrew סִינַי (Sinai). The mountain where God gave the Law to Moses, representing the old covenant and divine revelation. A pivotal location in biblical history symbolizing God’s holiness and the giving of the Law.

U- Unveiling the Word

Σινᾶ represents one of the most significant geographical locations in biblical history. It’s the Greek form of the Hebrew Sinai, the mountain where God revealed Himself to Moses and gave the Law to Israel. In the New Testament, it takes on additional theological significance as Paul uses it in Galatians 4:24-25 to represent the old covenant of law in contrast to the new covenant of grace. The early church understood Sinai as a symbol of God’s holiness and the insufficiency of the law to save, highlighting the necessity of Christ’s redemptive work.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: Σινᾶ, Sina, see-NAH
• Detailed Pronunciation: σι (see) νᾶ (nah) – stress on second syllable
• Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable

Etymology:

• From Hebrew סִינַי (Sinai)
• Possible Egyptian origin relating to the moon god Sin
• Hellenized form maintaining Hebrew pronunciation

D – Defining Meanings

• The mountain where God gave the Law to Moses
• Symbol of the old covenant
• Representation of divine law and judgment

Translation Options:

• Sinai – traditional English rendering
• Sina – direct transliteration of Greek
• Horeb – alternate biblical name, emphasizing its desert location

E – Exploring Similar Words

• Χωρήβ (Chōrēb, kho-RAYB) – See G5512: Alternate name for Mount Sinai
• ὄρος (oros, OR-os) – See G3735: General word for mountain
• ἔρημος (erēmos, ER-ay-mos) – See G2048: Desert where Sinai is located

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

• Indeclinable Proper Noun
• Always appears in the same form regardless of case
• No variation in gender or number
• Functions primarily as a geographical reference

The word maintains its form across all grammatical contexts, typical of foreign place names in Greek.

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG identifies Σινᾶ as the mountain of divine revelation in Arabia. Thayer’s emphasizes its connection to the Mosaic covenant. LSJ notes its usage in Hellenistic literature referring to the Arabian peninsula. Vine’s highlights its symbolic significance in Pauline theology. Moulton and Milligan document its appearance in papyri describing trade routes through the region.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
Acts 7:30: “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount [Sinai] [Σινᾶ].”

Additional References:
Acts 7:38, Galatians 4:24, Galatians 4:25

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Σινᾶ stands as a powerful reminder of God’s holiness and His desire to communicate with His people. While it represents the giving of the Law, in Christ we see its fulfillment. The mountain that once trembled at God’s presence now points us to Jesus, who makes it possible for us to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.

D – Did You Know?

• The actual location of Mount Sinai remains debated among scholars
• The mountain has been known by over 70 different names throughout history
• Early Christian monastics established communities near Sinai, including the famous St. Catherine’s Monastery

Strong’s G4614: A proper noun referring to Mount Sinai, derived from Hebrew סִינַי (Sinai). The mountain where God gave the Law to Moses, representing the old covenant and divine revelation. A pivotal location in biblical history symbolizing God’s holiness and the giving of the Law.

Part of speech: Proper Noun

Tags: mountains, law, moses, covenant, exodus, revelation, desert, arabia, ten-commandments, old-testament, paul, allegory​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​