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Introduction
Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is essential for deepening our comprehension of the New Testament and the cultural context in which it was written. One such word, ἐλωΐ (elōí), holds particular significance as it is directly associated with one of the most poignant moments in the Gospels—the crucifixion of Jesus. This word is crucial for interpreting the New Testament because it encapsulates a moment of profound theological and emotional importance. Additionally, the study of this word offers insights into the linguistic interplay between Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew in the New Testament period, reflecting the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of the ancient world.
Key Information:
- Greek Word: ἐλωΐ (elōí) [eh-loh-EE]
- Etymology: The word ἐλωΐ is derived from the Hebrew and Aramaic root אלוה (elóah), which means “God.” In this context, it specifically refers to “My God,” echoing the Hebrew term Elohim.
- Part of Speech: Proper noun (masculine)
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon
Primary Meanings:
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- My God: The primary meaning of ἐλωΐ is “My God.” This expression is famously used by Jesus during the crucifixion, recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, where Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34). The word encapsulates a deep moment of despair and divine questioning.
- Invocation of God: The word also serves as an invocation, a direct address to God, highlighting the personal relationship between the speaker and the divine.
Similar Words:
- Θεός (theos) [theh-OS]: A more general Greek word for “God,” used throughout the New Testament. Unlike ἐλωΐ, which is personal and specific, θεός is used in a broader, more universal sense.
- Ἐμμανουήλ (Emmanouēl) [em-mah-noo-EL]: Meaning “God with us,” this word shares the theme of divine presence, though in a more affirmative, comforting context compared to the lamenting cry of ἐλωΐ.
Further Insights:
- Morphology: The word ἐλωΐ is a direct transliteration of the Aramaic word into Greek, showing the influence of Aramaic on the New Testament text. This highlights the linguistic diversity of the early Christian texts and the audience they addressed.
- Linguistic Features: The use of ἐλωΐ in the New Testament is significant as it reflects the exact words spoken by Jesus, preserved in the original Aramaic form within the Greek text. This preservation indicates the importance of these words and the impact they had on early Christian communities.
Lexicon Insights:
BDAG:
The BDAG lexicon identifies ἐλωΐ as a transliteration of the Aramaic word for “My God,” used specifically in the Gospels during Jesus’ cry of abandonment on the cross. It highlights the word’s deep emotional and theological significance.
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Thayer’s:
Thayer’s lexicon emphasizes the connection between ἐλωΐ and its Hebrew roots, noting that the word is a poignant cry to God, reflecting Jesus’ human experience of suffering and abandonment.
Vine’s:
Vine’s Expository Dictionary discusses ἐλωΐ in the context of the crucifixion narrative, noting its unique usage and the way it connects the New Testament with Old Testament expressions of lament, particularly from the Psalms.
LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon provides limited coverage of ἐλωΐ, focusing on its transliterated nature and its singular use in the New Testament, which points to its Hebrew and Aramaic origins.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Concordance categorizes ἐλωΐ as a proper noun directly related to the Aramaic expression of divine address. It links the word to the Hebrew concept of Elohim, providing a bridge between the Old and New Testaments.
Scripture References:
- Matthew 27:46 – “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God (ἐλωΐ), my God (ἐλωΐ), why have you forsaken me?'”
- Mark 15:34 – “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God (ἐλωΐ), my God (ἐλωΐ), why have you forsaken me?'”
Classical Usage:
| Author | Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew | Gospel of Matthew | “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?'” |
| Mark | Gospel of Mark | “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?'” |
Summary of ἐλωΐ (G1682: elōí):
The Greek word ἐλωΐ (elōí) appears in the New Testament as part of Jesus’ cry on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” It is a transliteration of the Aramaic word for “My God,” reflecting the linguistic and cultural context of the time. This word is deeply significant for understanding the human experience of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels, as well as the continuity between Old Testament expressions of lament and New Testament theology.
Did You Know?
The word ἐλωΐ (elōí) is one of the rare instances in the New Testament where Jesus’ words are preserved in their original Aramaic form within the Greek text, highlighting the importance of this moment in the Christian tradition. This cry of abandonment is directly connected to Psalm 22, which begins with the same words in Hebrew, showing the deep intertextual links between the Old and New Testaments.
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