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Unveiling the Word

Understanding the Greek word Νινευή (Ninivē) is vital in biblical studies due to its historical and theological significance. Nineveh, the ancient Assyrian city, features prominently in both the Old and New Testaments, representing not only a geographical location but also a symbol of repentance and God’s mercy. In Luke 11:32, Νινευή is mentioned by Jesus when He speaks about the repentance of the Ninevites in contrast to the people of His generation. The reference to Nineveh underscores themes of judgment, repentance, and divine compassion, making it crucial to New Testament interpretation and understanding the interplay between the Old Testament narratives and their fulfillment in the Gospels.

Necessary Information

Greek Word: Νινευή (Ninivē), pronounced nee-nay-VAY.

Etymology: The word Νινευή is of Assyrian origin, derived from the Akkadian Ninua, the ancient name of the city. It is rooted in the mythology of the ancient Near East, as the city was associated with the goddess Ishtar (Nina). The biblical significance of Nineveh, however, is tied to its narrative in the book of Jonah and the city’s dramatic repentance in response to Jonah’s prophecy.

Part of Speech: Proper noun, feminine. It refers specifically to the city of Nineveh, a historical place in the ancient world. As a proper noun, it does not follow typical declension patterns like common nouns, though it remains consistent in its form throughout the Greek New Testament.

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

Defining Meanings

1. Nineveh (the city): In the biblical context, Νινευή refers to the ancient city of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, located on the eastern bank of the Tigris River in modern-day Iraq. It was known for its great size, wealth, and power in ancient times.

2. Symbol of Repentance: Nineveh is known in the Bible as a city that responded to the prophetic message of Jonah by repenting of its sins. Jesus references Nineveh in the Gospels as an example of genuine repentance, contrasting it with the unrepentant attitudes of His contemporaries.

Exploring Similar Words

1. Ιερουσαλήμ (Jerusalem) [pronunciation: ye-roo-sah-LEEM]: Another prominent city in biblical narratives, Jerusalem symbolizes the center of Jewish faith, contrasting with Nineveh’s Gentile identity.

2. Βαβυλών (Babylon) [pronunciation: bah-bee-LOHN]: Babylon, like Nineveh, was a significant ancient city representing imperial power and often depicted as an enemy of God’s people. While both Nineveh and Babylon faced divine judgment, Nineveh’s repentance offers a stark contrast to Babylon’s rebellion.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender:

• Nominative Singular: Νινευή (Ninivē)

• Genitive Singular: Νινευῆς (Ninivēs)

• Dative Singular: Νινευῇ (Ninivēi)

• Accusative Singular: Νινευή (Ninivē)

As a proper noun referring to a city, Νινευή maintains the same form in the nominative and accusative cases, and its genitive and dative forms are relatively rare in the biblical text. It is feminine in gender and does not vary in number since it refers to a singular city.

For more on Greek noun declensions, Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

The word Νινευή is understood in various lexicons as referring to the capital of Assyria and serves as a significant symbol in biblical theology. In the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Jonah, Nineveh is depicted as a city under divine judgment, but also one that responds to God’s call for repentance. In the New Testament, Jesus uses Nineveh as a model of repentance, contrasting it with the lack of repentance among the Pharisees and others. Lexicons emphasize the theological richness of the word, with Nineveh representing the possibility of forgiveness and restoration even for non-Israelite peoples.

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

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Luke 11:32: “The men of Nineveh [Νινευή] shall rise up in the judgment with this generation and shall condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.”

2. Jonah 3:4: “Jonah began to enter the city a day’s journey, and he cried out, ‘Yet forty days, and Nineveh [Νινευή] shall be overthrown!’”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text

Herodotus Histories “Nineveh (Νινευή), the capital of the Assyrian empire, stood by the Tigris.”

Plato Laws “As Babylon and Nineveh (Νινευή) were mighty cities, so they fell in time.”

Septuagint Jonah “And the word of the Lord came to Jonah, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh (Νινευή), that great city.’”

Noteworthy Summary

Νινευή carries both historical and theological weight. Known as the great Assyrian city that repented in response to Jonah’s prophecy, Nineveh is used by Jesus in the New Testament as a model of repentance. The city’s transformation from wickedness to repentance stands as a testament to God’s mercy, and its narrative highlights the universal offer of grace, not limited to Israel alone.

Did You Know?

1. Nineveh was one of the largest cities in the world during its time, with walls that stretched over 7 miles.

2. The repentance of Nineveh, as described in Jonah, was so significant that it led to a temporary reprieve from divine judgment.

3. Archaeological excavations of Nineveh began in the 19th century, revealing the grandeur of the city described in both biblical and classical sources.