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Unveiling the Word

The Greek word ὀθόνιον (othonion), found in Luke 24:12, holds a significant place in biblical studies, particularly in the context of the resurrection narrative. This term refers to the strips of linen used for wrapping a body in preparation for burial. In the New Testament, othonion is associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as it is used to describe the cloths found in the empty tomb after His resurrection. Understanding this word enriches our comprehension of the resurrection accounts, highlighting cultural burial practices of the time and the theological importance of Jesus’ resurrection.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: ὀθόνιον (othonion), pronounced o-THO-nee-on.

Etymology: The word othonion is derived from the root word ὀθόνη (othonē), which generally means “linen cloth” or “sheet.” The diminutive form othonion conveys a smaller piece of cloth or a bandage, typically used for wrapping bodies for burial.

Part of Speech: Othonion is a noun, neuter in gender. It follows the second declension pattern in Greek, which affects how the word changes in different grammatical cases.

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

Defining Meanings

1. Strips of Linen: The primary meaning of othonion refers to strips of linen used in wrapping a dead body. This is the meaning most often associated with New Testament accounts of the burial and resurrection of Jesus.

2. Small Cloths or Bandages: In a more general sense, othonion can also refer to smaller pieces of cloth or bandages, used in medical or domestic settings in the ancient world.

Exploring Similar Words

1. σάββανον (sabbānon) [pronunciation: SAB-ba-non]: This word refers to a grave-cloth or shroud used for wrapping the entire body. Unlike othonion, which refers to strips of cloth, sabbānon generally denotes a larger burial sheet.

2. ἐντάφιον (entaphion) [pronunciation: en-TA-fee-on]: This term also refers to burial wrappings or grave clothes. It is used more broadly to refer to any kind of cloth associated with burial rites.

3. κεφαλίς (kephalis) [pronunciation: ke-FA-lees]: This word refers to a head cloth or napkin, used to wrap the head of a deceased person separately from the body. In John 20:7, a kephalis is found folded apart from the othonion, emphasizing the careful placement of burial clothes.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a neuter noun, othonion follows the second declension pattern in Greek. Here is a breakdown of its morphological features:

• Case, Number, Gender: Othonion is neuter and can appear in singular or plural forms. In the nominative singular (subject), it appears as othonion, while in the genitive (possession), it becomes othoniou.

• Declension: Second declension, which includes neuter nouns that typically end in -ion in the nominative singular and follow consistent patterns of inflection across cases.

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexicons such as BDAG and LSJ highlight the use of othonion in burial practices, particularly in New Testament contexts. The word is primarily associated with the linen wrappings of Jesus’ body. Thayer’s Lexicon emphasizes its diminutive form, indicating smaller cloths or bandages, a meaning that is consistent in its use throughout the New Testament. BDAG notes the theological significance of the word, as it is found in resurrection accounts, symbolizing both death and the empty tomb that confirms Jesus’ resurrection. The cloths left behind in the tomb are an important detail in demonstrating the physical reality of the resurrection.

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

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Luke 24:12: “But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; bending over, he saw the strips of linen [ὀθόνιον] lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.”

2. John 19:40: “Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen [ὀθόνια]. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.”

3. John 20:6-7: “Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen [ὀθόνια] lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text

Herodotus Histories “The linen [ὀθόνιον] used to wrap the mummies in Egypt was finely woven.”

Plato Phaedo “He was wrapped in cloth [ὀθόνιον] after the ceremony.”

Septuagint Genesis 50:2 “And Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father; and the physicians embalmed him with cloth [ὀθόνιον].”

Noteworthy Summary

The word othonion is intricately linked to burial customs in the New Testament, particularly in the accounts of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Understanding this word deepens our insight into how the Gospels describe the burial and resurrection process, especially as it pertains to the cultural significance of burial practices in the first century. The linen strips found in the empty tomb serve as powerful evidence of the resurrection, symbolizing the transition from death to life.

Did You Know?

1. Othonion was commonly used in ancient Egyptian mummification, where linen was a key material for wrapping the deceased.

2. The careful placement of the linen strips in the resurrection accounts reflects Jewish customs, where the dead were wrapped with spices in linen cloths before burial.

3. The presence of othonion in the empty tomb is significant in Christian theology, as it emphasizes the physical resurrection of Jesus, leaving behind the burial wrappings.