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Unveiling the Word

Understanding the nuances of Greek words in the Bible provides deeper insight into the meaning of the text. The Greek word μίγμα (mígma), which appears in John 19:39, refers to a mixture or blend of substances. In this particular verse, it describes a blend of myrrh and aloes, which Nicodemus brought to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. The word μίγμα is significant for both New Testament interpretation and for understanding how various substances were used in ancient Jewish burial practices, as well as in broader Greek and Roman cultures, where the preparation of the deceased was considered a deeply respectful and important ritual.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: μίγμα (mígma), pronounced MEEG-mah.

Etymology: μίγμα comes from the verb μιγνύω (mignýō), which means “to mix” or “to blend.” The noun μίγμα refers to the result of mixing, usually a combination of different elements or substances.

Part of Speech: μίγμα is a noun, neuter in gender, which refers to a mixture or blend of substances, often in a physical sense but also metaphorically.

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Defining Meanings

1. Physical Mixture: The primary meaning of μίγμα is a literal mixture of substances, as seen in John 19:39, where it refers to a blend of myrrh and aloes used for burial purposes. This usage reflects the careful and respectful preparation of a body in Jewish burial customs, with aromatic spices to honor the deceased and to mask the scent of decay.

2. Metaphorical Blending: While less common, μίγμα can also be used metaphorically to describe the blending or merging of different ideas or elements. In classical literature, this might refer to the merging of cultural practices, thoughts, or even human characteristics.

Exploring Similar Words

1. κρᾶσις (krâsis): Pronounced KRAS-iss, this word also refers to a mixture but often in a more abstract or metaphorical sense. κρᾶσις is used to describe the blending of elements, humors, or even cultural practices.

2. ἀνάμιξις (anámixis): Pronounced ah-NAH-mix-iss, this word refers to the act of mixing or combining, particularly in contexts that involve intermingling, such as the mixing of races or tribes.

3. σύνθεσις (sýnthesis): Pronounced SOON-thess-is, this word means “composition” or “putting together,” often used in the context of forming something new from individual parts.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender: μίγμα is a neuter noun of the third declension. It can appear in various cases depending on its grammatical role in a sentence (e.g., nominative, genitive, dative, accusative).

Declension:

• Nominative Singular: μίγμα

• Genitive Singular: μίγματος

• Dative Singular: μίγματι

• Accusative Singular: μίγμα

This pattern follows the third declension endings typical for neuter nouns.

Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexicons like BDAG and LSJ consistently define μίγμα as a mixture or blend, primarily of physical substances. In John 19:39, it refers specifically to the blend of myrrh and aloes brought by Nicodemus to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. This word is linked to cultural and religious practices around death and burial, where mixtures of aromatic substances were used not only to honor the dead but also to reduce the odor of decomposition. Some lexicons extend its meaning to include metaphorical blends in other contexts, such as the blending of cultural elements. This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. John 19:39: “Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture [μίγμα] of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text with μίγμα

Plato Timaeus “The body is composed as a mixture [μίγμα] of the four elements.”

Hippocrates On Regimen “A mixture [μίγμα] of food is necessary for balance in the body.”

Septuagint Exodus 30:25 “You shall make from these a holy anointing oil, a perfumed mixture [μίγμα].”

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek word μίγμα carries significant meaning in the New Testament, particularly in John 19:39, where it refers to the mixture of myrrh and aloes used to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. Understanding this word highlights the cultural and religious practices of the time, where such mixtures were essential for burial rites. In a broader sense, μίγμα also carries implications of blending and combining elements, both physically and metaphorically, in classical literature and beyond.

Did You Know?

• Myrrh and aloes, part of the μίγμα described in John 19:39, were commonly used in ancient burial practices not only for their pleasant fragrance but also for their preservation qualities.

• The concept of μίγμα extends into medical practices in ancient Greece, where it was believed that the right mixture of foods and substances could maintain the balance of the body’s humors.

• In philosophical texts, μίγμα was sometimes used to describe the combination of elements that compose the physical world, linking the material with the metaphysical.