Sacred Space: ταμεῖον (Strong’s G5009: tameion) Reveals Private Prayer’s Power

Strong’s G5009: A noun meaning “inner room, private chamber, storeroom,” ταμεῖον describes a secluded space for intimate prayer and storing valuables. In the New Testament, it symbolizes the private, personal nature of authentic communion with God.

U- Unveiling the Word

ταμεῖον represents the sacred space of intimate communion with God. Originally referring to a private storage room or inner chamber in ancient homes, the term takes on profound spiritual significance in the New Testament. In the Messiah’s teaching about prayer, it becomes a powerful metaphor for genuine, unperformed devotion. The early church recognized this term as expressing both the necessity of privacy in prayer and the intimacy possible in divine communion. Today, it continues to challenge believers to cultivate authentic, private devotional life away from public display, reminding us that true spirituality flourishes in secret before it bears fruit in public.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ταμεῖον, tameion, /ta-MEI-on/
• Phonetic Guide: “ta” as in “father,” “mei” as in “may,” “on” as in “on”
• Part of Speech: Noun (Neuter)

Etymology:

• From ταμιεύω (tamieuō) – verb meaning “to store up”
• -εῖον (-eion) – suffix indicating place or location

D – Defining Meanings

• Inner room
• Private chamber
• Storeroom

For compound words:
Not a compound word, but derived from ταμιεύω with locative suffix -εῖον

Translation Options:

• Inner room – emphasizes privacy
• Private chamber – highlights intimacy
• Secret place – captures spiritual significance

E – Exploring Similar Words

• κοιτών (koitōn) /koy-TONE/ – “bedchamber” – more specific to sleeping quarters
  See G2846
• οἶκος (oikos) /OY-kos/ – “house” – more general term
  See G3624

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

• Case: Varies (Nominative, Genitive, etc.)
• Number: Singular/Plural
• Gender: Neuter
• Declension: Second

As a neuter noun, it follows second declension patterns. The English equivalent typically remains “inner room” or “private chamber” with appropriate articles and possessive forms.

• Cross-references: ταμιεύω (tamieuō) – “to store up”

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes ταμεῖον’s dual significance as both physical storage space and metaphorical place of spiritual intimacy. Thayer’s traces its development from practical storage area to symbolic space of divine encounter. LSJ documents its use in classical Greek for secure storage of valuables. Vine’s highlights its spiritual application in the Messiah’s teaching on prayer. Strong’s connects it to the concept of treasured storage and privacy. Moulton and Milligan provide evidence of its use in papyri for both domestic architecture and metaphorical private spaces.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
Matthew 6:6: “But when you pray, go into your [ταμεῖον] inner room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.”

Additional References:
Matthew 24:26
Luke 12:3
Luke 12:24

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

ταμεῖον powerfully illustrates the intimate nature of true communion with God. This word reveals that authentic spirituality flourishes not in public performance but in private devotion. The good news shines through as we see that the Messiah invites us into intimate, personal relationship with the Father. It reminds us that God’s kingdom operates not through outward show but through the hidden transformation that occurs in private communion with Him.

D – Did You Know?

1. Ancient homes often had specific ταμεῖον rooms for storing family treasures.
2. Early Christian monastics used this term to describe their prayer cells.
3. The word appears in ancient papyri describing both royal treasuries and humble storage spaces.

Strong’s G5009: A noun meaning “inner room, private chamber, storeroom,” ταμεῖον describes a secluded space for intimate prayer and storing valuables. In the New Testament, it symbolizes the private, personal nature of authentic communion with God.

Part of speech: Noun (Neuter)

Tags: prayer, private devotion, intimacy with God, spiritual discipline, secret place, inner room, spiritual treasure, authentic worship, personal communion, sacred space​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​